As Dave Harvey retires from his co-leadership position at Park People, he reflects on the incredible journey since founding the organization in 2011.
Why are events in parks important? How do grants fit into Park People’s larger goals for creating change in city parks?
Here are some valuable tips to create a welcoming, safe, and respectful environment for participants of all abilities, backgrounds, ages, and gender identities!
Park clean-ups bring neighbours together, foster connection, and leave a lasting impact—explore our 5-step guide to get started.
Explore inspiring community-led events funded by our microgrants program, from land-based learning to nature walks and skill-sharing workshops.
How a temporary plaza in Montreal’s Parc Marcelin-Wilson was created to offer a gathering space for youth, with design improvements informed by Metalude’s insights through direct observations and youth engagement.
Come together with community members, park professionals, and municipal staff at the 2025 Park People Vancouver Forum!
Come together with community members, park professionals, and municipal staff at the 2025 Park People Toronto Summit!
By donating to Park People, you’ll support vibrant parks for everyone.
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Researcher and Political Strategy, Communications & Sustainability Consultant
Fernando Garci-Crespo Santaló is an MA student at IRES working under the supervision of Milind Kandlikar with an interest in environmental economics, sustainable development, electoral politics and public policy. He is deeply passionate about bridging the divide between knowledge, people and power; how researchers can drive public policy and fend off growing populist narratives that cast doubt on the value of science, research and academia.
Beyond his MA, Fernando is working as an researcher on a project analyzing the climate plans of the Pathways Alliance, a consortium of oil companies in the Albertan oil sands pledging to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Prior to IRES Fernando graduated with distinction from UBC with a BA Honours with a double major in Geography & Economics, and worked as a policy researcher for a joint project by the OECD and Global Methane Hub on the mitigation of methane emissions from waste.
Aside from research and academia, Fernando has been involved numerous projects in electoral politics and activism, from local campaigns in Vancouver to projects as far as New Zealand or Newfoundland and Labrador. As part of his work as an activist and political organizer, Fernando has attended various UN international conferences such as COPs or HLPF.