In Memory of Ryan Jones: Painting for Ryan

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Painting for Ryan

As many of you know, Ryan was running a summer high school program for 16 local students (the LINC Summer High School Program). Upon learning of this tragedy just yesterday one of the students, Marisol Gonzales, painted this acrylic in his honor last night. I wanted to share it with the rest of the community. Best, Sue

Ryan Jones Program Fund

To commemorate Ryan Jones – and his passion and impact in the Golden Gate National Parks – the Parks Conservancy has established the "Ryan Jones Program Fund." This fund will be used to support the programs so central to Ryan's time in the parks – both as a young person himself and as a dynamic youth leader.

To commemorate Ryan's legacy (or in lieu of flowers), please send contributions to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Fort Mason, Building 201, San Francisco, CA 94123. Click here to give online.

About Ryan Jones

Ryan Jones, Volunteer and Education Coordinator, Site Stewardship Program at the Parks Conservancy decided he wanted to become a natural resource ranger as a high school student. In 1995, Ryan participated in a field trip to the Presidio nursery with Galileo High School's Outdoor Adventure Program. Inspired by his visit, Ryan joined the Presidio Park Stewards as a volunteer. In the summers of 1994 and 1995, Ryan served as a naturalist for the San Francisco Girls and Boys Club in Camp Mendocino. He returned to the park in the summer of 1996 as a high school intern with the Presidio Park Stewards, followed by a yearlong internship with the park in 1997. Ryan participated in the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School for three summers, where he moved from participant to instructor. In 1998, Ryan was hired by the park as a Biological Technician in the Presidio.

In 2002, Ryan joined the Site Stewardship Program, where he developed service-learning programs on restoration topics for youth and ran all the education programs. Ryan is also an accomplished artist who taught "Art in the Field" classes. His illustrations have appeared in numerous Bay Area conservation publications. This past spring, Ryan graduated from San Francisco State University in the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism. He was the “Distinguished Undergraduate Honors Recipient” for the SFSU College of Health and Human Service; and he received their first Department Internship Scholarship in the amount of $500.

He was an invaluable addition to the Parks Conservancy family and we all miss him. You can read more about Ryan in this article by Marisa Lagos with the San Francisco Chronicle: Ryan Jones--nature lover and outdoorsman. Please share your thoughts and memories in this space.

In Memory of Ryan Jones

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Painting for Ryan

Ryan Jones Program Fund

Ryan Jones, 1978-2008

About Ryan Jones

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