For over 50 years, California State Parks Foundation has been the leading statewide voice in advocating for parks and people, protecting the best of California for future generations.
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DISCOVER MORE
Explore how we’re protecting California’s state parks and how you can get involved. To experience this magazine online, visit calparks.org/magazine. To learn more about our work, head to calparks.org.
California State Parks Foundation 235 Montgomery Street, Suite 1202 San Francisco, CA 94104 calparks.org /calparks@calparks@californiaparks@calparks
Executive Director’s Letter
Welcome to the inaugural issue of California’s State Parks magazine. We’re proud to launch this new publication at a moment when the need for connection — to nature, to history, to one another — has never felt more urgent.
California’s state parks are more than landscapes. They are living systems that restore our ecosystems and renew our spirits. They are places where children learn what it means to belong to something bigger, where stories — painful and powerful — are honored and remembered, and where we all find space to breathe, reflect, and grow.
These parks preserve California’s natural and cultural legacy: redwoods rooted deep in time, coastlines shaped by tides and tectonics, sacred sites and histories that demand to be seen and understood. And unlike many national parks, they are interwoven with our daily lives, reaching deep into communities, cities, and schools. They are for everyone.
At California State Parks Foundation, we believe these places hold transformative power and that they deserve transformative protection. That’s why we fight for them in the California State Legislature, support those who care for them on the ground, and rally communities to give time, voice, and heart to the future of our parks.
This past year has shown what’s possible when we work together. The passage of Proposition 4 secured historic investments in state parks and climate resilience. When wildfires tore through Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park, swift action helped support recovery and preparedness. And along the coast, collaborative efforts are protecting the fragile habitats of the western monarch butterfly. These aren’t isolated successes; they reflect a growing movement committed to protecting what matters most.
As wildfires, climate change, and inequity continue to shape our world, parks remain places that offer hope — because they remind us of what’s worth protecting and what we can do when we act together.
Thank you for being part of this movement.
Rachel Norton Executive Director
Contributors
Michele Bigley
Michele Bigley is an award-winning journalist, educator, adventurer, and mom of two kids born and raised in California. She is currently writing a novel about a fire ecologist and teaches community engagement at the University of California San Diego.
Rachael Kirk-Cortez
Rachael Kirk-Cortez is a strategic marketing and communications consultant and the founder of RKC Marketing. She serves on the board of Camp Tawonga and on the Future Leaders Advisory Circle of Yosemite Conservancy. She can be found most weekends camping and hiking with her young children.
Danielle Kroll
Danielle Kroll is a New York-based artist and designer known for her playful creations inspired by nature and childhood memories. Blending nostalgia with a modern touch, her art spans paintings, ceramics, and textiles.
Elise Matera
Elise Matera is the Communications Coordinator at California State Parks Foundation. She cares deeply about environmental justice and shares that passion through beautiful and accessible design and writing. In her spare time, she enjoys trail running and learning the names of local plants.
Ashley Moore
Ashley Moore is the Director of Marketing and Communications at California State Parks Foundation, where she works to educate and inspire people to care for and connect with California’s state parks. Outside work, she’s often exploring those same parks, hiking, camping, and finding new favorite trails across the state.
Kathleen Ok-soo Richards
Kathleen Ok-soo Richards is a freelance writer and editor. Her awardwinning journalism career included stints at the East Bay Express and The Stranger, and her byline has appeared in Bay Nature, Alta Journal, High Country News, and others. She’s passionate about storytelling that inspires people to protect the natural world.
Rise Wise
Rise Wise is an Irvine, California-based design team. Inspired by the vintage aesthetic and commercial designs ranging from the 1920s through the 1960s, Rise Wise has carved out an impressive niche as one of the most in-demand brand designers in Southern California.
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LOOK INSIDE
Groundwork for Resilience
Inside the long road to recovery at Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park.
PAGE 6
Razor Point
A stunning short hike through Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve’s sculpted cliffs and coastal air.
PAGE 10
Quick Tips
Simple ways to make your camping meals faster, lighter, and more delicious.
PAGE 12
Where Monarchs Take Refuge
The vital role of California state parks in saving an iconic species.
PAGE 14
A Day in the Park
Explore China Camp State Park in just 24 hours.
PAGE 18
Renewal by Fire
How prescribed burns are healing Montaña de Oro’s landscape and honoring long-held stewardship traditions.
PAGE 20
Ask an Interpreter
A conversation with Ryan Forbes, Interpreter II for California State Parks’ Bay Area District.
PAGE 24
Funding the Future
A historic bond measure enables climate resilience.
PAGE 26
Protecting What Matters Most
John Mott’s lifelong bond with California’s parks.
PAGE 30
GROUNDWORK FOR RESILIENCE
Inside the long road to recovery at Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park.
BY ASHLEY MOORE
n the morning of January 7, 2025, the fire moved fast. Flames were first spotted around 10:30 a.m., and by sundown, they had reached the historic heart of Will Rogers State Historic Park. In just a few hours, fire had swept through canyons and neighborhoods, jumping ridgelines and torching everything in its path. State Park staff had trained for emergencies like this, but nothing could truly prepare them for what came next.
Richard Fink, Superintendent of the Angeles District, remembers how it started: smoke drifting over Topanga State Park, radios lighting up, everyone moving. Rangers began evacuating visitors and staff. Cultural Resources staff rushed to save priceless artifacts from the Will Rogers Ranch House — rolling up rugs, pulling paintings from the walls, loading furniture into pickup trucks. Maintenance crews deployed sprinklers and fire gel. Horses were moved. Fire lines were watched.
“ By 5 p.m., we were forced to evacuate,” Fink says. “The front entrance was on fire. A tree had come down. People, horses, and staff were exiting out a service road, watching the flames come into the park.”
That night, the fire tore through Will Rogers and nearby Topanga. Of the 23,000-acre Palisades Fire, more than a third — 8,300 acres — burned on state parkland. Among the 47 structures lost on state parkland were the Will Rogers Ranch House, the stables, the Topanga Ranch Motel, and residences that housed park employees and their families.
The damage was staggering. But what Fink remembers most is the people. “We saw so much selflessness,” he says. Several staff had just enough time to make a choice: go home and grab what they could or stay and defend the park. They stayed. “They lost everything,” Fink says. “And the next morning, they were back in the same uniform, doing their job.”
Mary Calvaresi, Program Manager of Interpretation and Education for the Angeles District, experienced the same fire from a different vantage point. What stood out most to her wasn’t just the devastation — it was the uncertainty of those first few days. “People wanted to help. They wanted to know what happened,” she recalls. “But in those first few days, we didn’t even know yet ourselves. We just knew it was bad.”
The fire burned for 21 days. While smoke still hung in the air, staff were already beginning the slow work of responding. Debris removal had to be handled carefully. At Will Rogers, the buildings’ historic foundations meant Army Corps of Engineers crews had to remove rubble by hand, combing through the ashes for anything salvageable. Hundreds of
hazardous trees were tagged for removal. Fencing and signage were ordered to keep visitors safe. And all the while, staff worked to reopen trails, assess damaged buildings, and set up temporary replacements for what was lost.
As Calvaresi explains, so much simply vanished — vehicles, tools, signage, and even a basic way to meet with the public.
In the aftermath, one question echoed throughout staff meetings and community conversations: How does a park move forward from this — not just physically, but emotionally, operationally, and equitably? Recovery wasn’t about checking boxes — it surfaced difficult questions about park stewardship, emergency response, and what it means to prepare for a future shaped by fire.
Amid the uncertainty, staff began planning for the future. A mobile visitor center is in development — a trailer that can be deployed quickly, serve as an educational touchpoint, and be moved out of harm’s way when the next emergency comes. A temporary contact station is also in the works, giving staff and community members a place to gather, share updates, and start imagining what rebuilding might look like.
While the loss was immense, Calvaresi says this about the opportunity ahead: “We’re not going to be able to replace what was lost. But we can create something new that serves people now and helps us be better prepared for what’s coming.”
Preparing for the future means rethinking everything from fire ecology interpretation and ranger vehicles that can access rugged terrain to new signage and trail systems that guide visitors safely through changed landscapes. It also means training interpreters and staff to hold space for grief and trauma.
“ We’re not therapists,” Calvaresi says, “but we are on the front lines when people come back to these parks for the first time. They bring their experiences with them. We need to be ready for that.”
Many of those experiences go beyond park gates. Some employees and volunteers lived in neighborhoods that burned. Colleagues lost their homes. Families were uprooted. Some staff are now commuting from temporary housing, still showing up each day to clear trails, secure dangerous areas, and restore what they can.
“There’s a triage that happens,” Calvaresi explains. “What can we do now? What can we plan for in the next three years? What’s realistic in five? We’re trying to pace ourselves, even as people are asking for immediate answers.”
That pacing means recognizing what’s possible and what’s not. Some trails were too damaged to reopen quickly. Others needed new infrastructure or rerouting. Rangers needed
You can help California’s state parks recover and prepare for what’s ahead.
Support the Climate Crisis Relief Fund at calparks.org/climatefund.
equipment to patrol hard-hit backcountry. Interpreters needed new tools and training.
Calvaresi sums it up: “We’re rebuilding the capacity to serve. It’s not just one thing — it’s everything.”
California State Parks Foundation’s Climate Crisis Relief Fund has helped support this work. The fund was created after the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire to meet unanticipated urgent needs when disaster strikes. At Will Rogers and Topanga, that included fencing, a small off-road vehicle to help staff access damaged backcountry trails, and the mobile visitor center currently in development. A drone funded through the Relief Fund has also become an essential tool; it’s used to monitor sensitive areas, support patrol operations, and assist interpretive staff with imagery for educational programs.
“ It’s something we’d needed for a long time. We just didn’t have the money for it,” says David Gunn, Supervising State Park Peace Officer for the Angeles District. “Now we can cover more ground, respond faster, and support our team more effectively.” He adds, “It’s something we’ve always done and always will do, but having these tools helps us do the job more efficiently. It’s an extension of our team.”
The support matters. But it’s the people who make recovery possible.
“ We’ve had co-workers lose everything. And they still come in. They still show up,” Calvaresi says. “We’re part of this community, too, and we want to do right by it.”
In partnership with the Ranger Foundation, California State Parks Foundation also provided direct financial support to park staff who lost homes or were displaced, which helped them
cover urgent expenses in the immediate aftermath of the fire.
As the Angeles District continues its long recovery, one thing is certain: This won’t be the last fire. Staff have responded to multiple wildfires in recent years, and they speak with sobering clarity about what’s ahead. The conversation is no longer about whether a fire will happen, but when — and how to prepare for it.
“ Historically, we thought of fire as a seasonal effect,” Calvaresi says. “The reality is that fire is year-round. It’s not a matter of if but when. By shifting our thinking, we can develop strategic plans that equip all of us for fire response.”
For the community, too, the pain runs deep. Many neighbors lost their homes. Others returned to charred hillsides and fractured routines. Some are still waiting for insurance to come through. And while parks are often seen as a refuge in hard times, reopening too soon can pose real risks. Trails may look fine but be structurally unsound. Fire roads may have been overrun during emergency response. Staff are doing everything they can to make sure public access is safe, equitable, and sustainable.
“ We want to welcome people back,” Calvaresi says, “but we also have to do it right.”
At Will Rogers and Topanga, recovery is far from over. But the work underway isn’t just about rebuilding. It’s about reimagining what it means to care for parks in a world shaped by climate change. It means honoring what was lost — and staying ready for whatever comes next. And it’s about people — the ones who stayed, the ones who returned, and the ones who are showing us all what resilience really looks like. \\\
Razor Point
A stunning short hike through Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve’s sculpted cliffs and coastal air.
ust north of San Diego, where the land rises steeply above the Pacific Ocean, the Razor Point Trail in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers a rare combination: an accessible short hike that feels miles away from the everyday. With just over half a mile to the overlook — and a little more than a mile round trip — the trail winds through a landscape that is as wild and windswept as it is fragile.
Before the views come into focus, the air announces itself — dry and herbal, laced with the earthy scent of coastal sage scrub. The fragrance of sunwarmed sagebrush and coastal air lingers along the trail, grounding visitors in the unmistakable presence of California’s native coast.
The reserve features high broken cliffs and deep ravines on headlands overlooking the ocean. These striking landforms are constantly reshaped by wind and water, giving Torrey Pines its distinct and dramatic coastal character. Rising from this rugged terrain are the rare Pinus torreyana — Torrey pines, the trees for which the park is named — found only here and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast near Santa Barbara.
The R azor Point Trail leads hikers through a sculpted, sun-bleached landscape shaped by generations of wind and water. Sandstone formations rise in jagged folds, etched with narrow gullies and deep ravines that drop toward the sea. The trail remains mostly flat as it winds toward Razor Point, a dramatic overlook
perched above the cliffs, offering panoramic views of the Pacific, the layered coastline to the north and south, and the badlands below.
Though the landscape appears timeless, it’s in constant flux. Crumbling edges, eroding bluffs, and rare plant communities make this one of the most fragile environments in California’s state park system. To preserve it, hikers are required to stay on marked trails, and activities like picnicking, camping, or bringing food onto the paths are prohibited.
For those who want to keep exploring, the Razor Point Trail easily connects to other nearby routes. The Beach Trail drops steeply down to the sand, where tide-dependent shoreline walks reveal the cliffs from below. The Guy Fleming Trail offers a gentler loop with coastal overlooks and interpretive signs, while the Broken Hill Trail provides longer, quieter access to the reserve’s southern reaches. These interwoven paths allow visitors to build a hike that suits their time, energy, and curiosity.
Despite its short length, the Razor Point Trail captures the essence of Torrey Pines: a place where rare trees cling to
rocky cliffs, wildflowers bloom in the breeze, and ocean views stretch into forever. In fall and winter, California quail rustle through the brush at sunrise, and on clear days in winter, gray whales can sometimes be spotted offshore.
For travelers with limited time, families with children, or anyone craving a quick escape into coastal wilderness, this trail offers a powerful, sensory-rich experience that lingers long after the walk is over. \\\
DISCOVER MORE SHORT HIKES
Scan the QR code to discover more short hikes across California state parks, or visit calparks.org/shorthikesguide. Each trail featured is under 3 miles and packed with the scenery, stories, and spirit that define California’s wild places.
Simple ways to make your camping meals faster, lighter, and more delicious.
“Combine small chunks of uncooked chicken with a frozen pea and carrot mix, coconut milk, and curry spice blend, and mix thoroughly. Pack in a container or plastic bag, and freeze overnight. Freezing the curry mix ahead and packing it in a good cooler will keep it up to two days, making this great for short campground and backpacking trips. Writing instructions on the containers (with painters’ tape or directly) prevents misplacing them.”
— Kristin D.
hen it comes to spending time outdoors, park lovers know how to make things work — especially in a campsite kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or setting up for your first family car-camping trip, a few smart shortcuts can make a big difference.
We asked our community to share their favorite camp cooking hacks, from time-saving prep tricks to creative cooler solutions. The tips they sent in are practical, resourceful, and surprisingly simple — perfect for taking the stress out of mealtime and making room for more memories around the campfire. Here are nine of our favorite suggestions you can pack up for your next camping adventure.
Some responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
“Couscous salad is great! You just need to boil water and then soak the couscous, so it requires very little fuel. Then you can add some shelf-stable things like a little pack of olives, canned tuna in olive oil, and whatever veg you want.”
— Claire D.
“Place a ground beef patty, a slice of onion, a few carrot slices, and a slice of tomato in a foil packet, and place in the coals of a campfire for one hour. Use heavy-duty foil.”
— Paulette P.
“For backpacking: Collect and thoroughly wash tiny jars/containers (plastic spice jars, pill containers, earplug cases, even contact lens cases). They are so handy when packing small amounts of items (instant coffee, powdered milk, spice mixes, electrolytes, sugar, etc.)! Simply decant ingredients from your pantry into your own personal backpacking stash. This way, you don’t have to buy individually wrapped travel-sized versions of things, saving money, backpack weight, and plastic waste! Plus: Save any to-go packets of sauces you get from your favorite takeout spots, and pack them with you for added flavor.”
— Jayden S.
Campfire Stew
Couscous Salad
Make-Ahead Curry & Rice
Pocket-Sized Pantry
“Ingredients: Canned chili and powdered mashed potatoes (they’re better than you might think!).
Prepare the mashed potatoes and chili as recommended on the packaging. Portion out mashed potatoes into serving bowls and then ladle the chili over it. Add your toppings of choice and enjoy this warm hug of a meal!”
— Jenny H.
“I mix all the dry ingredients for pancakes in a container and bring a frozen stick of butter, one egg, and a small squeeze bottle of syrup for fresh homemade pancakes at the campsite — just add water!”
— Taylor F.
“1. Don’t bring whole ingredients camping. Make food prep part of your packing plan.
2. You’re on vacation — make it special in small ways.
3. Pick a seasoning blend you love and add it as needed to anything that could use a little pop.
Bonus tips: I’ve never regretted bringing a dish towel, baby wipes, and a small paring knife in my backpack.”
— Jennifer R.
“We make personal-sized sourdough pizza crusts at home and parcook them, refrigerate or freeze them, and then bring them with sauce and cheese and toppings for a quick, satisfying meal for adults and kids! Best cooked over the fire! Each pizza takes about five to 10 minutes to cook over the fire.”
— Kestrel D.
“Zhuzh up simple instant ramen with a selection of toppings. Sliced green onions, grilled yellow onions, sautéed mushrooms, sautéed spinach or bok choy, and soft-boiled eggs are all great options. Grilled chicken is great, but even canned chicken is an upgrade!”
— Natalie R.
SHARE YOUR best park hacks, camping tips, and favorite traditions at calparks.org/quicktips for a chance to be featured in our magazine, blog, or social media.
Pancake Starter Pack
Chili & Mashed Potatoes
Campfire Pizza Party
Upscale Ramen
Elevate Your Camp Meal
Illustrations: Danielle Kroll.
Monarchs Take Where Refuge
very winter, an awe-inspiring spectacle comes to California’s state parks: thousands of brilliant orange-and-black western monarch butterflies cluster in forested groves along the Pacific Coast, seeking refuge from wind, rain, and extreme temperatures.
These western monarchs arrive after traveling hundreds of miles from across the western United States.
The other migratory monarch population in North America, which lives east of the Rockies, takes a different path and migrates to central Mexico. More than a dozen state parks in Central and Southern California provide crucial overwintering habitat to this iconic species.
Since the 1980s, however, the western monarch population has plummeted by 95%, leaving groves that were once teeming with butterflies increasingly sparse.
“They’re on a real extinction trajectory right now,” says Dena Spatz, Senior Wildlife Biologist at California State Parks.
According to the most recent Western Monarch Count, the population of overwintering monarchs
The Importance of Overwintering
Overwintering is an important phase in the monarch lifecycle.
The vital role of California state parks in saving an iconic species.
By Kathleen Ok-soo Richards
in California — once numbering in the millions — declined to just 9,119 this past winter, the second-lowest level recorded since tracking began in 1997.
While numbers fluctuate from year to year — more than 200,000 monarchs were counted in each of the previous three winters — the long-term trend is one of steady and concerning decline. Scientists predict that if we fail to conserve overwintering habitat, there’s a greater than 99% chance western monarchs will go extinct by 2080.
The primary threats to monarchs are habitat decline of overwintering groves, the disappearance of milkweed (the only host plant for monarch caterpillars), and pesticide use. But, Spatz says, “Climate change is likely exacerbating existing threats and the extreme population fluctuations we’re seeing right now.”
The good news? Targeted efforts can make a difference. The question is — will we act in time?
In one year, as many as five generations of monarchs are produced. Spring and summer generations live two to six weeks, but the fall generation can survive up to nine months. This “super generation” migrates to the coast to overwinter and then returns inland in the spring to lay eggs on milkweed.
During overwintering, they enter diapause — a hibernation-like state in which their reproductive organs go dormant to conserve energy. If monarchs don’t survive overwintering, they won’t be able to produce the next generation.
So, any disruption — habitat loss, exposure to pesticides, or extreme temperatures — can have far-reaching consequences. >>>
State Parks as Critical Overwintering Western Monarch Habitat
Western monarch butterflies require a very specific microclimate when overwintering — often found within state parks.
California State Parks manages more monarch overwintering habitat than any other land management entity, including 25% of the state’s priority monarch groves. As many as 57 sites in 34 parks have been verified as overwintering habitat. In the most recent Western Monarch Count, three of the four largest clusters were in state parks: Lighthouse Field State Beach (1,406 monarchs), Natural Bridges State Beach (1,400), and Pismo State Beach (556).
“California State Parks is one of the most important, if not the most important, land management entity that protects monarchs,” says Spatz.
Groves of eucalyptus, pine, cypress, and oak trees provide the temperate climate, shelter from wind and freezing temperatures, and dappled sunlight that monarchs need. These sites are usually at low elevations, on sun-facing slopes, or in shallow canyons or gullies. They also get freshwater via fog and nectar from native plants nearby.
Beyond habitat, state parks also provide opportunities to educate the public. Over 100,000 people visit Pismo State Beach every year to visit the monarch groves. “There is no other insect I can think of that’s as charismatic as a monarch butterfly,” says Spatz.
Long-Term Restoration Meets New Climate Threats
Preserving overwintering groves is one of the most urgent conservation priorities — and climate change is making it harder.
According to the 2024 California State Parks Foundation report, “Building a Climate-Resilient California State Park System,” many monarch overwintering groves are at risk due to aging trees, development, pests, disease, and, increasingly, climate change.
Wildfires fueled by drought and hotter temperatures can wipe out overwintering groves — which take years to grow back — in minutes. The devastating Palisades Fire in Los Angeles in January 2025 damaged a monarch overwintering grove in Topanga State Park. And in June, a fire at Natural
Bridges destroyed 15 wind-protective trees, though much of the monarch grove was spared.
Climate change threatens not only overwintering habitat but also monarch behavior. That’s because monarchs depend on environmental cues, including temperature, to trigger reproduction, migration, and hibernation.
“ We, as humans, are doing things to their habitat and accelerating climate change that are making the population decline,” says Randy Widera, Director of Programs at California State Parks Foundation.
Another threat is the decline of milkweed. Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed, the only food source for hungry monarch caterpillars. Of California’s 15 milkweed species, many are disappearing due to habitat loss and pesticide use.
How California State Parks Foundation Supports Monarch Groves
As the leading advocate for state parks, California State Parks Foundation plays a vital role in western monarch conservation, supporting efforts ranging from improving overwintering habitat at Lighthouse Field State Beach to advocating for reduced pesticide use and federal protection for the western monarch.
One major investment is the funding and development of grove management plans — collaborative strategies to preserve and restore overwintering sites through actions like habitat restoration, fire risk reduction, and public education.
So far, about a dozen management plans have been started or completed through a partnership between California State Parks and the Xerces Society. Several plans were funded by California State Parks Foundation through grants made possible by members and donors, including support for the Xerces Society’s work in the San Luis Obispo Coast District. Foundation grants also helped turn plans into action, supporting Groundswell Coastal Ecology’s enhancement of groves at Lighthouse Field and Natural Bridges state beaches and funding education and outreach through the Central Coast State Parks Association at Pismo State Beach. Efforts included planting nectar plants, installing wind-shielding trees around groves, and coordinating volunteers.
“ We’ve really been this thought partner,” says Widera. “These grove management plans and this work would not be
happening if we had not taken the initiative.”
Most monarch habitat in California consists of nonnative eucalyptus, which is flammable and harmful to local ecosystems. Spatz emphasizes the need to balance shortterm monarch needs — like reducing fire risk to maintain overwintering habitat — with long-term restoration goals, including transitioning to groves with native trees.
This kind of science-based management is already paying off. At Andrew Molera State Park, over 1,000 monarchs returned to an overwintering grove after it was thinned as part of a management plan. While it’s hard to prove direct causation, Spatz says, “It is very likely that management helped.” Although that plan was funded by the Wildlife Conservation Board, it underscores the importance of developing grove management plans and putting them into action.
Education is another key priority. Foundation-supported programs raise awareness about monarchs as a keystone species and the essential role of state parks in their survival.
The Next Step in Western Monarch Conservation
One of the most important steps to save western monarchs is securing federal protection.
In December 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing monarchs as a threatened species and designating 4,395 acres in California as critical overwintering habitat.
This would unlock federal funding and promote monarch conservation nationwide. “Federal protection would be a game changer to open up funding sources and protections from the federal side to support the actions we know work best,” says Spatz, adding that other funding sources will still be necessary.
The federal proposal highlights the need to increase milkweed and nectar plant availability, protect overwintering sites, reduce the harmful effects of pesticides, and maintain public support.
Spatz emphasizes that communities, Indigenous communities, businesses, and local governments must work together to raise awareness, restore groves, and reduce fire risk — while also maintaining the conditions monarchs need to survive. Key actions include planting nectar plants and trees, reducing pesticide use, and restoring milkweed within the
monarchs’ breeding range. Pesticide education and regulation are particularly important to monarch survival. A recent study linked a mass mortality event of monarchs near an overwintering site in Pacific Grove to pesticide contamination.
“ We have the knowledge, the passion, the drive, and the expertise,” says Spatz. “We just have to get the work done.”
Widera adds, “What we need is funding — and we need it at scale.” He hopes future state legislation will fund grove management efforts long-term.
Ultimately, protecting monarchs isn’t just about saving a single species; it also supports broader conservation efforts. “They’re an iconic species, and also an umbrella species,” Spatz explains. “So, you end up moving from a single-species issue to a conservation action that has multispecies, if not ecosystemlevel, benefits through habitat restoration.”
Beyond their ecological role, monarchs capture our imagination. From their vivid orange-and-black coloring to their epic long-distance journeys and their delicate, graceful flying style, they’re symbols of beauty, resilience, determination, and transformation. They transcend borders, real and constructed, bringing us together in our shared love of this small but mighty winged creature. Against all odds — and with our help
A Day in the Park
Explore China Camp State Park in just 24 hours.
hina Camp State Park, located in Marin County, offers a little bit of everything. From China Camp Village, a historic shrimping community founded by Chinese immigrants in the 1800s, to the diverse plant and wildlife viewing across the estuary to the winding hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails, there’s something here for everyone. Plus, its proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area makes it an easy weekend escape when you’re craving a break from the city. This itinerary includes an overnight camping trip, but it’s also doable as a day trip with an early start.
Saturday Midday
China Camp is less than an hour’s drive from San Francisco, or for a scenic twist, you can take a ferry from downtown, followed by a short drive with a rideshare or a friend to pick you up. When you arrive, make your first stop at China Camp Village, nestled along San Pablo Bay. This historic village, once home to a thriving fishing community, still captures the essence of its past. As you make your way around, you can imagine life here when up to 500 residents called this place home — the smell of fresh seafood rolling in with the tide, sounds of neighbors chatting across their garden beds, and sights of children scampering along the shore.
Be sure to stop by Quan Brothers Market at the heart of town, where the community’s history is close enough to touch. If you’re lucky, you’ll meet Ernie, who runs the café and is a longtime volunteer with California State Parks Foundation, and hear stories of the village’s rich legacy. Until 2016, the market was run by Frank Quan, the last resident when the village became a state park in 1977. Inside, surrounded by old family photos and hand-painted signs, you’ll get a true sense of how important this place was to the people who lived here. Next, visit the bayside museum to dive deeper into the compelling stories of immigration, resilience in the face of exclusion, and the tight-knit community that shaped China Camp. Afterward, wander down the pier to enjoy the views of the bay. Once you’ve soaked in the history and scenery, head to the Back Ranch Meadows campground to set up for the night.
Saturday Evening
As the sun sets, take a leisurely stroll or make a quick drive from the campsite to Turtle Back Trail. This beautiful 0.7-mile, heartshaped loop trail is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, offering you up close views of the park’s rare wetland ecosystem. As dusk falls, this unique habitat — with streams winding through grassy meadows to the bay — comes alive with birds hunting along the water’s edge. The beauty of this tranquil spot is a reminder that even a short break in nature is worth it.
Afterward, return to camp for dinner (check out our camp cooking tips on pages 6-7), and if fire conditions permit, enjoy a classic campfire experience with s’mores, games, and stories under the stars.
Sunday Morning
Start your morning with a relaxed breakfast, and then pack up camp and get ready to explore more of the park. If you’re in the mood for an adventure, head from the campground up Back Ranch Fire Trail toward the viewpoint on the park’s tallest ridge. There are several scenic routes to the top, where you can enjoy stunning views of the park and surrounding areas. The park’s trails wind for roughly 14 miles, offering a variety of options, whether you’re up for a meandering loop hike, a driveup viewpoint, or even a thrilling mountain bike ride. Use the park map in the brochure to choose your route before setting out.
As you make your way along the trails, you’ll be treated to a diverse landscape of oak woodlands and open meadows. Keep an eye out for wildlife like wild turkeys and black-tailed deer as you explore. The park offers a perfect blend of recreation and conservation, inviting visitors to reflect on nature’s beauty and significance.
Sunday Afternoon
Before heading home, stop by Sol Food in San Rafael for a late lunch. Whether you spent the day hiking or soaking in the park’s history, China Camp is a place you’ll easily fall in love with — and it won’t be long before you’re planning your return. \\\
For more information, watch our interview with Friends of China Camp here: calparks.org/chinacampvid.
To volunteer at China Camp State Park, visit volunteer.calparks.org.
Renewal by
FIRE
How prescribed burns are healing
Montaña de Oro’s landscape and honoring long-held stewardship traditions.
BY MICHELE BIGLEY
his is not a new story.
Indigenous communities have stewarded Montaña de Oro’s coastal bluffs and golden rolling hills with fire since time immemorial. They didn’t rely on formal degrees or online tutorials; instead, they passed down generations of wisdom on how to manage fire and the land. These early land stewards understood something that modern land caretakers are just beginning to realize: California’s wildlands aren’t just meant to burn — they need fire.
Today the environmental science team at Montaña de Oro State Park is blending this ancient knowledge with modern science, harnessing fire as a tool to prevent more-destructive wildfires. Katie Drexhage, the park’s Senior Environmental Scientist, believes prescribed burns will help protect Montaña de Oro’s 10,000 acres of bishop pine, eucalyptus, and California poppy-covered hills. This park is also home to 7 miles of coastal bluffs, an annual festival of monarch butterflies, and species of concern like Western snowy plovers, Morro shoulderband snails, and California red-legged frogs. With tens of thousands of residents nearby, over a million visitors annually, the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant to the south, and growing threats of climate events, protecting this region has never been more imperative. Managing fire effectively is a critical tool for preserving the unique landscape.
Prescribed burning is not a new tool, just a modern term for an age-old practice. The landscape is resilient; even in drought years, fog helps sustain it. However, aging trees, population growth, extreme heat, wildfires, atmospheric rivers, and invasive species have weakened Montaña de Oro State Park’s resilience. Many Indigenous communities hold the belief that land stewardship >>>
must consider the impact on the next seven generations — a guiding principle that emphasizes long-term care and respect for natural systems. This means respecting the land’s capacity to meet our needs while allowing the soil to regenerate. Because this was not the case for the seven generations between Spanish colonization to now, ecologists throughout the state are having to repair the damage that increases the threat of wildfire. Many of them are choosing prescribed burns as a primary tool.
For the prescribed pile burns most typical in state parks, dry and overgrown brush, which fire ecologists refer to as fuel, is painstakingly collected into piles and burned during the cool and wet winter and spring months. Smoldering piles are consistently monitored by certified burn bosses like Environmental Scientist Kelly McFadden to ensure fires don’t escape the controlled burn area. McFadden says, “Frankly, it’s usually a slow, dull process.” And it’s expensive. Prescribed burns require plenty of trained hands, all properly outfitted with personal protective equipment, enough water tanks, and up-to-date tools.
Back in the 1950s, when fire ecology was still focused on fire suppression, Montaña de Oro became the first state park in California to conduct a prescribed burn. At the time, the common theory was to extinguish fires immediately rather than allowing flames to safely run their course.
What they didn’t realize was that California oaks and redwoods need fire to survive and that some endangered species, like the Morro manzanita, only open their seeds after a fire or that one of ecologists’ greatest tools to reinvigorate a landscape — and give native plants a chance to survive — is by burning away fuel.
By the 1990s, the team began using prescribed burns more actively, despite limited funding. Montaña de Oro is home to seven different species of eucalyptus, planted in the late 1800s for
ABOVE San Luis Obispo Coast District staff conduct fuel reduction work in fire protection gear at Montaña de Oro State Park.
timber. Unfortunately, the species turned out to be highly invasive. Over the years, these groves have expanded from 80 acres to 350, crowding out native species and significantly increasing wildfire.
For nearly a decade, the forestry team carried out as many prescribed burns as their budget allowed. The most common areas were near human interfaces like campgrounds and trails, but they also focused on the accessible edges of the eucalyptus grove, where large water tanks could be hauled in.
McFadden explains, “Nowhere in California burns eucalyptus like we do. Eucalyptus is a fire-adapted species. It likes to burn. We need a water source nearby. Then we have to go back through and pull the saplings after burns to make the forest healthier and reduce the fire risk.”
After two fires burned the park in 2011 and 2012 and after seeing how catastrophic wildfires were affecting the entire state, the San Luis Obispo Coast District, which includes Montaña de Oro State Park, finally received funding from CalFire in 2020. The environmental science team was able to scale up operations, with two certified burn bosses, including McFadden, one of only four female burn bosses in the entire state park system, and now their regional office employs a staff of 19, half of whom are fire trained.
Even with this new funding, the team faces ongoing challenges. Personal protective equipment is still a major hurdle. State regulations require a lot of red tape just to purchase the proper gear, which can take years and endless paperwork. Drexhage explains, “No one is allowed in the field for burns without proper equipment, and it can be challenging to replace certain items due to internal purchasing procedures and administrative processes.”
This past year, local donors decided to take matters into their own hands. Drexhage says, “Anonymous donors coordinated with California State Parks Foundation to get us funding for gear. It was a significant gift — huge — that we used for essential supplies like sturdy fire pants, which we need to replace regularly but are difficult to obtain through our internal purchasing processes on our own. Our boot allowance is never enough. We can buy boots for $300 that last for one season, or $600 for two. Being properly geared up helps us move forward and enables us to have more staff to get the work done.”
McFadden adds, “The California State Parks Foundation grant was the first I heard of someone donating specifically for our program. It boosted morale on the crew to know people support us, that they will take that financial burden off us,
and make sure we have the proper clothing, which seems like something that isn’t hard. But it’s expensive, and it’s our responsibility to buy our uniforms.”
This donation, along with additional funding from Proposition 4 — federal money allocated for wildfire prevention — has allowed the team to begin implementing a long-term plan to remove unhealthy eucalyptus and replant with native species. McFadden says, “We could see small natives struggling for light and suffocated by leaf litter. By burning, we see native plants like oaks, sagebrush, coyote brush, and sticky monkeyflower come back. Some species only arrive when fire passes through, so endangered species recovery is an added bonus.”
The park is home to five overwintering western monarch sites, and while some monarch enthusiasts were initially hesitant about the burns, Drexhage explains, “We showed them that it might look like scorched earth at first. But after the coastal fog and first rain, it all starts greening. Thousands of monarchs came back because pile burns did not impact their roosting habitat; instead, it protected it by reducing the amount of dead branches and leaf duff that were creating a bigger wildfire threat. We do not work inside or adjacent to monarch overwintering sites when the monarchs are present, and we created a smoke protocol to make sure smoke doesn’t impact the monarchs if we’re working anywhere near a site during the overwintering period.”
Drexhage adds, “Wildfires are inevitable, and that’s terrifying. We remain hopeful that we won’t have to face one, but it would be ignorant to assume one won’t happen. Fires are often started by human activity, and we need to manage the landscape to reduce fuel loads. Prescribed burns are one way we can reduce that risk. We can do this without CalFire’s on-site assistance because we have two burn bosses on staff.”
The ultimate goal is to restore Montaña de Oro to its pre-settlement condition, a natural environment dominated by native species. Drexhage explains: “Eucalyptus is a nonnative species and people love the forest. And since we’ve been thinning the groves, people have started appreciating the area more. We’re not just reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire — we are bringing the park back to life by allowing native species to survive and grow in the forested area.”
This season, the team completed 1,000 pile burns, covering about 5-10 acres. With the right equipment and more staff, they hope to continue their vital work to protect Montaña de Oro for future generations. \\\
Ask an Interpreter
A conversation with Ryan Forbes, Interpreter II for California State Parks’ Bay Area District.
am effectively a teacher, but I do it outdoors. I don’t have a classroom; I have a park. Or many parks in this case!” Ryan Forbes says of his work as a State Parks Interpreter II. As a lead for the education team in the Bay Area District, Forbes splits his time between planning from the Petaluma office and filling in for team members in the field. With only one Interpreter I in each of the 16 park units in his district, he moves around a lot.
We found some time with him to chat about his 11-year career with California State Parks, the natural and cultural history of the area, and what he loves most about our parklands.
You’ve been with California State Parks for over a decade! Did you always want to become a state park interpreter?
Like most kids, I had about 100 things I wanted to do. Steve Irwin and the Kratt brothers were some of my biggest heroes on TV. But funnily enough, I didn’t think that was a viable career path in college.
My degree is in history, and I specifically focused on history that works with the public. My professor, Michael McGuire at Chico State, was really big about trying to get people out doing things in the world beyond. I wandered into his office hours one day and said, “I’m about to graduate. I don’t know what I’m going to do.” He said, “Well, how about you move to a ghost town?” He had found an opening at Bodie State Historic Park. It’s a
cool park and I moved there, was hooked on it, and have been with the department ever since.
What surprises visitors when they first visit a state park in your district?
People who are here for the first time, or who haven’t been in years, say, “This was here this whole time?
Oh, I’ve lived 10 miles down the road. Never been here before. What? What?!? There’s a giant redwood forest here! There’s this campground that I could have been going to for years. There’s this awesome hiking trail. This area I can mountain bike!” I love interfacing with people because it’s almost like a paradigm shift in their head that they’re like, “The outdoors is right here.” And they can be a part of it. And that’s removing barriers, giving people that little chance to just be out here.
What is your favorite hike in a Bay Area state park?
I could go for the obvious, like the Dipsea Trail or Steep Ravine Trail at Mount Tamalpais State Park, because those are some of the most incredibly beautiful. Or the Pioneer Tree Trail in Samuel P. Taylor State Park, just because it’s an old-growth forest.
Other places are important because of their history. Olompali State Historic Park is one of my first loves of this area. The Mount Burdell and Loop Trails at Olompali are connected to history that goes back to time immemorial. Olompali are the native lands of the Coast Miwok people, who were and very much still are with us. Walking on the trails at Olompali connects you to this history. I find in places that might not look, initially, the most astounding, you can feel the importance of places like that. That’s what makes hiking around there so impressive to me.
What are the biggest challenges facing your park district this year? This decade?
In the immediate, the state is dealing with financial troubles, which halts some of our hiring. It limits some expansion of projects; it can even curtail some that we’ve already been working on. I have never worked in a state park where I felt we were staffed enough. And so that’s where California State Parks Foundation and all our other partners come in, because having funding sources and organizations that can advocate really does important things for ensuring that we have the staff to keep us going.
Forbes’s dedication and passion for his work are not rare in his field; it’s the norm for people who dedicate their careers to caring for parks. We are so grateful to park staff like Forbes, and we work to answer his call to action every day by helping create a state park system that is accessible and relevant, adequately and sustainably funded, and stewarded for future generations. \\\
California’s bond measure enables climate resilience.
BY RACHAEL KIRK-CORTEZ
alifornia state parks not only are home to natural beauty found nowhere else in the world, but they also house countless treasured memories for generations of Californians past and present. Families return to the same beloved campgrounds each year, laughing around campfires where marshmallows blister over open flames. Hikers begin serene mornings with the sound of birds and ocean waves before spending days admiring the surf and sand. Parents teach their children about the many people who helped shape our shared past. These traditions may differ from family to family, but they all share a connection to these parks.
But as Californians know too well, climate change isn’t sentimental. A wildfire tears through forested campgrounds in a single night. A storm surge demolishes the cliffside trail. Droughts wither wildflowers,
and streams trickle to a halt. The familiar becomes unrecognizable. In the face of mounting climate impacts, Californians must actively protect the landscapes that we hold dear — taking action so future generations can make their own memories in our parklands.
The fight to protect California’s ancient forests and pristine beaches doesn’t always make headlines. It lives in policy briefs, community meetings, and restoration projects shaped over decades. For years, it’s been fueled by something deceptively simple: voter-approved bonds.
In November 2024, Californians passed Proposition 4 with nearly 60% of the vote, authorizing $10 billion in new bond funding for climate resilience. Proposition 4 was the largest climate bond in U.S. history, and it’s a powerful affirmation that voters are ready to take meaningful action to protect the places we hold dear. >>>
A Legacy of People-Powered Park Progress
Proposition 4 — the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 — directs grants and loans to state and local governments, Indigenous communities, and nonprofit organizations to tackle a wide range of threats: wildfires, drought, floods, sea level rise, extreme heat, biodiversity loss, and more. It also funds clean air, green energy, and climatesmart agriculture efforts.
Of that total, $425 million is designated for California’s state parks to advance three urgent priorities.
First, $175 million will help chip away at the system’s staggering deferred maintenance backlog — more than $1 billion in needed repairs — by funding projects like trail restoration and roadwork.
Next, $50 million is dedicated to sea level rise adaptation, helping coastal parks — which encompass 25% of California’s coastline — prepare for and withstand rising sea levels, flooding, and storm damage.
And $200 million will support the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program, which funds the creation, expansion, and improvement of parks and recreation facilities in underserved communities. Funding for this critical program was reallocated to other priorities in the 2024-2025 budget. Now, thanks to Proposition 4, the program can continue, expanding equitable access to nature across the state.
Bonds like Proposition 4 do more than just fund projects: They provide a road map. While annual budgets rise and fall, bonds lock in the long-term funding needed to make progress on an issue as large as climate change. They allow California to pursue climate solutions with consistency, urgency, and vision.
The Power of Coalitions
California’s state parks are just one piece of a vast and growing effort to build a more climate-resilient future. Even when organizations agree on shared goals — like conserving 30% of land and coastal waters by 2030 or expanding access to nature for all Californians — they often bring different priorities and strategies to the table.
That’s where California State Parks Foundation plays a pivotal role. The organization works to ensure state parks receive sustained, meaningful investment. Over time, it has
learned that the most effective way to advance that mission is through collaboration with partners, advocates, and coalitions that amplify a shared voice.
Since 2000, California voters have passed five major environmental bond measures to support conservation: Proposition 12 in 2000, Proposition 40 in 2002, Proposition 84 in 2006, Proposition 68 in 2018, and now Proposition 4 in 2024. But winning support takes more than placing a measure on the ballot. It requires a unified campaign to raise awareness, educate the public about what’s in the bond, and show what it hopes to accomplish.
To make sure state parks had a voice to shape Proposition 68, California State Parks Foundation joined forces with other stakeholders to form the Clean Water, Natural Resources, and Parks Coalition (CWNRP), a political action committee that pools resources and advances shared priorities.
That alliance paid off. CWNRP helped secure key wins in Proposition 68 and came back even stronger for Proposition 4, raising more than ever before and giving state parks a seat at the table — and a strong presence in the public campaign.
“This coalition is not just a group that comes together to pass a bond,” says Rachel Norton, California State Parks Foundation’s Executive Director. “It’s a group that ensures these priorities are consistently and increasingly funded in state government.” By co-chairing CWNRP, Norton reinforces a long-held truth: Lasting change happens when we work together.
What Comes Next
The bond has passed. Now the real work begins.
The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) is developing the framework for how Proposition 4 funds will be distributed over the next decade. At the same time, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), often referred to as California State Parks, is identifying projects that could receive funding, with an emphasis on sea level rise adaptation and other urgent needs.
Timing matters. The ability to demonstrate shovel-ready projects and high-priority areas can shape when and how funds are released. Local legislators are also stepping in to advocate for projects in their districts.
California State Parks Foundation is closely monitoring this progress. The organization’s goal is to ensure Proposition 4 funds support impactful new work and don’t simply backfill past cuts. While the 2025-2026 budget redirects $175.8
million to restore prior allocations, California State Parks Foundation remains committed to protecting the full intent and impact of every Proposition 4 dollar.
Beyond the $425 million dedicated to state parks, Proposition 4 unlocks an additional $1.2 billion for related efforts — from restoring forest watersheds and expanding urban green spaces to addressing climate impacts in front-line communities. California’s parks can and should benefit from this broader pool. California State Parks Foundation is urging DPR to pursue every opportunity.
A Promise to the Future
In November, California voters stood with our beloved state parks and declared that we would take action to protect and preserve them for generations to come. Passing Proposition 4 was a milestone, but it was only the beginning. The bonds authorized will be sold over the next decade, and the work to complete climate resilience and access projects will stretch well beyond that.
Upholding the promise voters made to parks will require sustained effort, accountability, and people power — just like the movement that brought Proposition 4 to the ballot in the first place.
California has a long, proud legacy of people showing up for parks, and that legacy continues today. California State Parks Foundation will be there every step of the way — tracking progress, advocating for results, and working in partnership with a strong coalition of organizations and supporters to ensure these historic funds make the greatest impact.
Everyone has a role to play. California State Parks Foundation encourages all park supporters to stay informed, speak up when needed, and help ensure Proposition 4 delivers lasting results for parks, people, and the future of California.
“ We have to keep moving. Climate is an existential threat to this planet and to parks,” Norton says. “California is an incredibly special place. We have to act with urgency. That’s why I’m grateful for Proposition 4. It allows us to keep pushing forward.” \\\
ABOVE Rachel Norton holds a Yes on Proposition 4 campaign sign at an event at the California State Capitol.
PROTECTING WHAT MATTERS MOST
John Mott’s lifelong bond with California’s parks.
n a crisp morning overlooking the Monterey Coast, John Mott gazes at the ocean, breathing in the fresh sea air — so familiar, so full of memory. These moments, shaped by California’s wild places, are more than memories. To him they’re sacred. They speak to a life spent in and for the parks that serve this state.
Mott’s connection to California’s state parks runs deeper than most. He’s the son of William Penn Mott, Jr., the visionary founder of California State Parks Foundation and one of the most respected park leaders in the nation. But Mott’s impact isn’t just a reflection of his father’s — it’s his own. From a seasonal job at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park in 1971 to a leadership role in Sacramento, Mott still carries the conservation torch in retirement. Even today, he oversees an invasive plant removal program called Broom Bashing, in Monterey County.
“ When it comes to my favorite state park, it’s always the one I’m currently visiting,” says Mott. “In the early spring, I marvel at the wildflower bloom in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. During summer, I enjoy the majestic old-growth redwoods of the North Coast redwood parks. Come fall, I head to the Sierra parks to savor the vibrant fall colors and crisp mountain air.”
His experiences across California’s parklands have given him a deep understanding of both their beauty and their vulnerability. What began as a love for the outdoors became a lasting commitment to preservation.
As someone who’s worked within the system, Mott understands the constraints — from tight budgets to climate impacts — park staff face. He also knows how vital external support can be.
“California State Parks Foundation has been a trusted partner to state park staff, providing critical resources through their volunteer program and grants,” Mott says. “California State Parks Foundation’s advocacy and capacity-building efforts are crucial, especially since state park staff are limited in their ability to advocate for themselves.”
Mott is especially drawn to the kind of stewardship that happens quietly. At Fort Ord Dunes State Park, he’s volunteered alongside others to collect seeds from rare and endangered plants — careful, methodical work that supports restoration. For him, this kind of hands-on effort is just as vital as any policy or funding decision.
Eventually, that commitment led him to consider his legacy. He made the decision to include California State Parks Foundation in his estate plans.
“California State Parks Foundation’s continued support for state parks, particularly in building climate resilience and increasing access for all Californians, is crucial,” he explains. “I hope my contribution will help California State Parks Foundation stand up to future challenges and secure the long-term sustainability of the parks.”
His decision also connects him more deeply to his father’s legacy — California State Parks Foundation’s planned giving society bears William Penn Mott, Jr.’s name. But Mott’s vision is rooted in the future.
“A legacy should aim to expand one’s capacity to love,” he says, hoping to leave a more inclusive and environmentally
sustainable state park system through his gift.
That belief — that California’s parks must remain not only protected but also welcoming to all — continues to guide him.
“California state parks are the best of California,” he says, “and everyone should feel welcome and able to participate in the wonders they offer.”
For Mott, that welcome is both personal and public. It lives in every trail he’s walked and every policy he’s shaped — and now in a gift that helps ensure future generations experience the same wonder. Because in the end, protecting what matters means making sure the story continues even after we’ve stepped off the trail. \\\
LEAVE A LEGACY THAT LASTS
To learn more about how you can make a planned gift and join John Mott in safeguarding California’s state parks, visit calparks.mylegacygift.org or contact development@calparks.org
Scan the QR code to learn more!
PHOTOS Moments from John Mott’s service with California State Parks.
