Parks California remembers Doug McConnell, longtime host of NBC Bay Area’s OpenRoad with Doug McConnell, KRON‘s Bay Area Backroads and a valued member of our Advisory Council. Doug devoted his life to sharing the beauty, history and stories of California’s parks and public lands, inspiring people across the state to explore and connect with these extraordinary places.
As a member of our advisory council, Doug championed our work to unite communities, honor California’s diverse cultures and preserve our public lands for everyone. He often shared that his work was “a way for me to combine my two passions in life” — nature and storytelling. He inspired viewers to revere the beauty of our parks, the people who care for them and the stories that connect us all.
Doug’s support was especially meaningful in his coverage of the Yurok Tribe’s leadership at Chah-pekw O’ Ket’-toh “Stone Lagoon” Visitor Center. In April 2022, the Yurok Tribe, working alongside California State Parks, Parks California and Redwood National and State Parks, celebrated the grand opening of the first tribally operated visitor center in the California State Parks System. Doug joined us in celebrating this milestone by hosting an episode of OpenRoad, sharing the tribe’s story and highlighting the importance of restoring Indigenous stewardship.
Doug’s storytelling lifted the voices of Yurok elders and leaders, honoring their history and the ongoing work to protect and restore the land and its wildlife. Through his work, Doug reminded us all that parks are not only places of natural beauty, but also of cultural significance, history and healing.
“Doug McConnell reminded us why we do this work: to help every Californian see themselves in our parks and to feel connected to the natural and cultural places that shape our lives,” said Kindley Walsh Lawlor, president & CEO of Parks California. “His passion for storytelling and his deep respect for community voices helped make our public lands places of meaning, belonging and shared care. We are deeply grateful for having had his friendship, wisdom and unwavering support of Parks California and the broader parks movement.”
His generosity, dedication to storytelling and commitment to conservation have left a lasting impact on our organization, the communities we serve and California’s public lands. We honor Doug’s life and legacy by continuing the work for which he cared so deeply: telling our stories, uplifting underserved voices and inspiring future generations to care for California’s extraordinary public lands.