Parklands Spring 2022

S PRI NG 20 22

The Newsletter for Members of California State Parks Foundation

PROTECTING PARKS, TOGETHER reetings, fellow park supporter! We hope you’re finding opportunities to visit state parks as we emerge from winter and revel in the green landscapes of spring. With Earth Day just around the corner, we’re working behind the scenes to

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

ensure it’s an impactful season for parks across California.

Climate resiliency is a major goal at the organization, and your support is fueling volunteer days, advocacy work, grantmaking opportunities, and more throughout 2022.

Recently, thanks to you, we’ve also been able to protect California wildlife and their critical habitat in state parks. At the end of last year, we funded essential work for the western monarch butterfly so this iconic species can continue flying for generations to come.

There’s certainly no shortage of work to do for parks – but with your help, we can tackle it together.

As always, thank you for being a passionate advocate for the outdoors and long-term sustainability of our incredible state park treasures.

A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Hi park champions, Spring is upon us after a second difficult pandemic winter, and as one does in California these days, I am wondering: Were the winter rains and snow enough to keep us from parched riverbeds and lakebeds, catastrophic fires, and smoky skies this summer?

Only time will tell. 2021 was the year that climate change became impossible to ignore for Californians. In 2022, it’s time to act – with hope, determination, and an understanding that we are all in this together.

Our annual Earth Day stewardship events have long embodied that spirit, and they’re fast approaching again this year. Every April, California State Parks Foundation volunteers and supporters come together in parks to pull invasive plants, pick up trash, and plant better-adapted natives that can withstand fires and a hotter, drier future. This year – our 24th annual Earth Day celebration – volunteers will be able to attend workdays at a dozen different parks throughout April, as well as participate in a DIY trash pickup event.

Our overarching goal with all of these activities is building climate resilient parks, ensuring that we have set up these special places to thrive in a challenging future. Specifically, our climate work is focused on two key areas: mitigating the effects of wildfires in parks, and addressing sea level rise. Our Wildfire Resiliency and Prevention Fund provides grants to programs that help parks better prepare and respond to wildfires – through threat assessment, restoration, and preparedness activities.

Sea level rise threatens all of California’s cherished coastline, a quarter of which is managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. In 2021, we successfully pushed for $11 million in funding for the California state park system’s Sea Level Rise Adaptation Strategy. We are also working on a “living shoreline” at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area’s Yosemite Slough – restoring a tidal marsh that can trap sediment from rising waters and protect against erosion and flooding over time.

Spring is a time for rebirth and new growth, and even as we continue to face environmental challenges, all of these efforts and new possibilities give me hope. Thanks for all you do for our state parks!

Until next time,

Rachel Norton Executive Director

YOUR IMPACT: AT A GLANCE Our work wouldn’t be possible without you and the thousands of other park lovers who support us. Members, donors, park partners, advocates, and volunteers all collectively help carry out projects and programs for state parks and the millions of Californians who use them. These numbers reflect recent work you made possible. Thank you!

542

volunteers in parks across California

100,938

action alert connections asking legislators to support parks and protect public land

$263,547 raised to support fighting climate change and wildfire resiliency and prevention in state parks

11,253 advocates who raised their voices for the future of parks

$68 million we fought for in the state budget that will expand programs linking state parks with K-12 public schools

Emerald Bay State Park

1,738

participants who attended six virtual events to expand policy education

$115,869

raised for western monarch butterflies and their habitats in state parks

PROTECTING THE WESTERN MONARCH nce, millions of monarchs overwintered along the Pacific coast in California and Baja, Mexico. In the 1980s, an estimated 4.5 million butterflies migrated to the coast annually. But by the mid-2010s, the population declined to 200,000-300,000 butterflies. And in both 2018 and 2019, volunteers counted under 30,000 monarchs — less than 1% of the population’s historic size. In 2020, volunteers counted fewer than 2,000 monarchs — that’s less than 0.01% of the historic size.

Luckily, it looks like recent numbers are coming in much higher than the previous year.

Western monarchs living west of the Rockies migrate to the coast of central and southern California.

In October, as colder weather approaches, the butterflies instinctively know they must fly south to escape the freezing temperatures. Some have to fly over 1,000 miles. By November, most are sheltering in trees across California – and many are in California state parks!

One of the significant problems afflicting the western monarchs is habitat loss in their overwintering and breeding areas. California state parks provide shelter and protection for this iconic species. Many state parks are key overwintering sites for monarchs and offer critical habitat along their migration routes. This entails providing the appropriate microclimate conditions for clustering, as well as supplying nectar resources and minimizing stressors to the butterflies.

To learn more, visit calparks.org/ westernmonarchs.

This past Giving Tuesday, we were able to raise significant funds for

projects to protect the western monarchs in California state parks and improve the park experience for those who visit. We are working to put these funds to work right away.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GRANT ROUND INCLUDE: Natural Bridges State Beach & Lighthouse Field State Beach Projects at these parks support healthy overwintering groves for monarchs. This involves planting and maintaining native nectar species in and adjacent to overwintering groves through our volunteer workdays.

Pismo State Beach To improve the park experience, a viewfinder will be installed that has a standard viewer, as well as an ADA-compliant viewer that doubles as a viewer children can use.

This will allow visitors to see the monarchs up close from a respectful distance. Updates will also be made to the western monarch butterfly augmentedreality coloring sheet that was only available in English, but will now also be offered in Spanish.

Hearst San Simeon State Park The park is undertaking a site management plan to direct the future enhancement of two monarch overwintering habitat sites. Monarchs appear to be suffering the greatest mortality during overwintering and early spring phases, so addressing habitat issues by enhancing and improving management at highpriority overwintering sites is critical for the western monarch population’s recovery.

IN CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS

IN CA LIFORNIA STATE PAR KS

NATURAL BRIDGES STATE BEACH

LIGHTHOUSE FIELD STATE BEACH POINT LOBOS STATE NATURAL RESERVE ANDREW MOLERA STATE PARK

HEARST SAN SIMEON STATE PARK

MORRO BAY STATE PARK MONTAÑA DE ORO STATE PARK PISMO STATE BEACH

LEO CARRILLO STATE PARK

JOIN US: EARTH DAY CLIMATE ACTION 2022

arth Day is a time for people to rally in support of our planet, and it’s now more important than ever. In recent years, we’ve seen beloved places in California and across the world suffer from climate change. From the ever-present threat of wildfires to severe drought, our California state parks and Earth need your help.

This April, you can fight climate change by being part of Earth Day Climate Action with us! This monthlong celebration of stewardship and climate action includes three ways to get involved: n

In-person Earth Day volunteer workdays: These special events will focus on making California state parks more climate resilient and will take place throughout California every weekend in April.

n DIY Earth Day Climate Action kit: Register for your FREE DIY Earth

Day Climate Action kit to clean up your local park or community!

Each kit will include a trash bag, gloves, and information on the cleanup. n

Digital Earth Day Climate Action: Follow us online throughout April to learn how you can make our Earth and state parks more climate resilient during Earth Day and every day.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating Earth Day Climate Action throughout April. With your help, we can have a lasting impact and make our California state parks and local communities more climate resilient now and for generations to come. Visit calparks.org/earthday for more information on in-person workdays, our DIY cleanup, and more!

Special thank you to our sponsors United Airlines and Pacific Gas and Electric Company for helping us make this month of action possible.

PARK CHAMPION: CATHY FISHER

Former Board Chair of California State Parks Foundation

Cathy and her husband, Jim, in Van Damme State Park.

his past fall, the state parks community lost a champion. Cathy Fisher, former Board Chair of California State Parks Foundation, passed away in October. Cathy was involved with the organization for over two decades, first as an attorney, then as an Advisory Trustee, and finally as a full member of the Board of Trustees, where she served on the Finance, Executive, Governance, and Advancement Committees at different times. She was elected Board Chair in 2019 and was the first woman to serve as such in the organization’s 50-year history.

Cathy had a sharp legal mind and an eye for detail, which she applied to everything from contracts to leases to legal claims for California State Parks Foundation. She saw her considerable legal expertise as an important gift she could give to organizations she was passionate about, and she cared deeply for California’s state parks. Cathy and her husband, Jim, and their two daughters, Ellen and Sarah, loved camping and hiking in California state parks – nowhere more than McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Northern California.

Cathy was a tremendous mentor and cheerleader for California State Parks Foundation staff and other members of the Board of Trustees, and could always be counted on for words of encouragement in tough moments. Her accomplishments as Chair included co-leading a strategic planning process to guide the organization through 2025 and revitalizing the Board’s nominating process.

California State Parks Foundation will deeply miss Cathy’s no-nonsense advice and deep, abiding support for California state parks, and we have kept Jim, Ellen, and Sarah in our thoughts as they mourn the loss of a wonderful partner and mother. We hope to honor Cathy’s service and many contributions to California State Parks Foundation at a future date with a gift to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park.

Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve The redwood-lined canyon here is a remarkable yet peaceful place to go hiking and take in the majesty of old-growth trees. You may also see some newts, frogs, or mushrooms along the trail!

Spring is a great time to visit, since this is when the grove is at its lushest.

Gray Whale Cove State Beach Just north of Half Moon Bay and right off Highway 1 is a small beach sheltered by surrounding cliffs. It gets its name from the gray whales that migrate along the coast, which occurs from December to January and from March to May. There is a steep trail and a stairway to the beach, so be careful when descending.

Asilomar State Beach Known as the Monterey Peninsula’s “Refuge by the Sea,” the beach here gives way to a rocky shoreline that shelters several small sandy coves — perfect for exploring tide pools or watching wildlife.

There is even lodging available at the park, just steps from the beach.

VISIT YOUR PARKS THIS SPRING inter has ended in most of the state, and warmer temperatures make it a great time to explore new places.

Plus, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy because of the many diverse landscapes across California. How will you spend the season? Here are some of our top picks.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park Gold was first discovered at this site in 1948, which ultimately led to the massive growth of the West. The park’s museum has Native American and Gold Rush–era exhibits, including mining equipment and horsedrawn vehicles, plus films about gold discovery and mining techniques. Visitors can also take a 15-minute lesson and learn to pan for gold themselves.

Salton Sea State Recreation Area Fun fact: the Salton Sea is one of the lowest spots in the world at 227 miles below sea level. It’s also California’s largest lake. The Salton Sea provides sanctuary to an extremely diverse collection of wildlife, including millions of fish and migrating birds – which makes it a great place for birdwatching.

Malibu Creek State Park Visitors to this park, which is outside Los Angeles, will be treated to native lupine blooming in the spring and views of the Las Virgenes Valley and Malibu Canyon. Before being opened to the public in 1976, this area was used to film numerous movies and TV shows, including Planet of the Apes and M*A*S*H.

CLIMATE RESILIENCY THROUGH VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS limate change is having detrimental impacts on California’s people and places, and state parks play a role in increasing California’s climate resiliency.

One way we support parks year-round is through volunteer workdays. Our work – and your support! – helps manage sea level rise, wildfires, invasive species, drought, rising temperatures, and other climate threats. It takes collective action to build climate-resilient parks and communities, but adapting to the impacts of climate change is necessary for keeping these places protected and preserved for all Californians.

HERE’S HOW SOME RECENT VOLUNTEER WORK HAS CONTRIBUTED TO CLIMATE RESILIENCY IN STATE PARKS: n At Carmel River State Beach, Palomar Mountain State Park, and Trinidad State Beach, volunteers removed non-native, invasive plants that threatened the persistence of native vegetation communities.

Invasive plants also increase the frequency of fires because they provide continuous fuels that are easier to ignite – which makes eliminating them even more essential.

n At Los Angeles State Historic Park and Half Moon Bay State Beach, volunteers helped plant native species. At Half Moon Bay State Beach, this included planting gumplant, coyote brush, and Douglas iris. We always plant native species in state parks because they benefit wildlife, promote healthy ecosystems, require less water, and are naturally more fire resistant. n Workdays at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area involved removing dead tree limbs and dry plant debris, which largely reduces fuel for wildfires.

Clearing this loose brush helped create over 3,000 square feet of fire buffer zones in the park.

n Our wetland restoration work at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area is addressing sea level rise and modeling a better way of managing coastal resources. At the park, we have created a “living shoreline” that is restoring natural tidal influences and habitat where once there was landfill and debris. This living shoreline can now better absorb the extreme tidal events and protect against erosion and flooding. It also dramatically increases habitat for native plants and animals.

Interested in joining a volunteer day and being part of this work firsthand? Visit calparks.org/ volunteer to find opportunities near you!

DIVE INTO CALIFORNIA HISTORY THROUGH THESE PODCASTS eed a few new podcasts to add to your collection in 2022? We’ve got just the thing for inquisitive park lovers and those eager to dive deeper into the history of California from often-unheard perspectives. In 2021, we provided funds for two podcasts as part of our effort to support the Department of Parks and Recreation as they reexamine California history from the perspective of Native Californians. These podcasts are now available and producing regular episodes.

DIVIDED TOGETHER Divided Together tells the stories of the U.S.-Mexico border through the eyes of the Kumeyaay, the Indigenous tribe whose land was divided when the border was officially established in the 1850s. The podcast includes interviews with members of the Kumeyaay tribe, scientists, geographers, and historians. Topics include Indigenous land practices, marine research, humanitarian work, and Kumeyaay culture.

CHALLENGING COLONIALISM California has a long history of colonialism that has frequently been minimized or brushed over. The podcast’s producers see the urgent need to amplify Native voices and center Indigenous perspectives in discussions of environmental justice, school curriculum, land use, and monuments. Topics include Uncovering Difficult Histories at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, the significance of shellmounds in the San Francisco Bay Area, and more. The content often deals with difficult and painful aspects of history, but works to paint a picture of the realities of colonialism.

You can access both podcasts for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere else you listen. This work is inspired by California State Parks Foundation’s goal to honor history and culture – preserving and honoring sites, artifacts, stories, and ideas that represent and reveal the wisdom, contributions, and experiences of everyone who has called California home.

VICTORY: STATE PROGRAMS TO GET YOUTH INTO PARKS f you’ve been reading Parklands for a few years, you’ve learned about our Pathways to Parks initiative. Launched in collaboration with California’s First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, this initiative introduces and advocates for solutions that increase equitable access to California state parks.

Since 2018, we’ve worked to learn, educate, activate, and ultimately influence legislation and the state budget to pilot programs that increase access to state parks for California’s youth. To learn more about every step it took to make these programs a reality, visit calparks.org/pathwaystimeline.

Through legislation signed by Governor Newsom, California was able to create, for the very first time, innovative access programs for children and families to explore state parks. A larger number of diverse communities will now have the opportunity to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of connecting with nature, and be inspired to take care of these treasured places for future generations. n

Assembly Bill 148 established the California State Park Adventure Pass, a three-year pilot program that waives day-use entrance fees to 19 state parks for fourth graders and their families for a full year.

n

Senate Bill 129 included $5.6 million to fund the new State Park Adventure Pass as well as $3 million to establish the State Library Park Pass Program, a new two-year pilot program that provides state park passes to libraries across the state. These can be checked out by library patrons to gain free day-use access to state parks.

“The California State Park Adventure Pass is an incredible new program that will help promote a healthier, more equitable California for all — a California where every child has the opportunity to explore, learn, and benefit from our state’s natural wonders.”

FIRST PARTNER JENNIFER SIEBEL NEWSOM

Fourth graders and their families can now apply for a free California State Parks Adventure Pass. The pass will give them the opportunity to explore 19 select state parks free for a full year. The list of parks spans the state geographically, and includes beaches, museums, redwoods, hiking trails, and historic parks.

We’ve achieved a huge win for access to parks, but the fight for equitable access outdoors is not over. We hope you will continue to work with us to make sure all Californians have access to the wellness benefits of our state parks. To learn more, visit calparks.org/adventurepass.

FLASHBACK PHOTO On April 24, 2004, our volunteers gathered in California state parks to complete environmental improvements and maintenance projects in honor of Earth Day. As part of the event, parks throughout the state received grants to purchase supplies, plants, and materials.

Pictured here is a group of volunteers cleaning up the beach at Angel Island State Park. We’ve been hosting Earth Day events for over 20 years, and are looking forward to making another big impact this year!

ENTER OUR PHOTO CONTEST Did you know every month you have the chance to win a FREE California state parks pass? We’re always looking for amazing photos of state parks, and we’d love to see yours!

Tag us on Instagram or Twitter @calparks, on Facebook at facebook.com/calparks, or upload to our Flickr page at flickr.com/ groups/mycastateparks. Just make sure to include #MyCAStateParks.

Each week, we pick a photo for our #FeatureFriday, and at the end of the month, the featured photo with the most likes across our platforms wins a free yearlong parks pass. So whether you have hundreds of state park photos in your archives or are planning a trip out just because you read this section, hit us with your best shot!

This photo from Calaveras Big Trees State Park was one of our most recent winners from @emalieexplores on Instagram.

Front cover photo: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

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@calparks

@calparks

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California State Parks Foundation is an independent, membersupported nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system, for the benefit of all.

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Pacheco State Park

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