Parklands - Spring 2023

The Newsletter for Members of California State Parks Foundation

WELCOMING SPRING

appy spring to our entire state parks community! It’s the time of year for regrowth, new projects, and getting out into nature. After a very wet winter, clear skies and wildflowers are more than welcome. We’ve been forging ahead on key goals, such as improving park experiences for visitors and building equitable access to state parks. The California State Library Parks Pass — which was only launched last year — has already been a great success, and you’ll see how your support is making this program

Antelope Valley California Poppy State Natural Reserve

even better. We’re also delighted about the essential projects our 2022 State Park Improvement grantees are completing, which you’ll read about in the coming pages, too.

Many exciting events are around the corner, and it’s going to be a fun few months in state parks. We hope to see you out there, whether you’re joining an Earth Day volunteer day in April or celebrating California State Parks Week in June!

A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Happy spring, park lovers!

This past January, California was hit with a series of wet storms that uprooted trees, made rivers swell, and pounded fragile coastlines in yet another reminder that climate change is not something that will happen in the future. The change is here, and if we don’t take steps to adapt, the impacts of a changing climate will worsen.

California state parks are showing us what worsening impacts might have in store. Over the past few summers, we have seen parks affected by extreme heat, drought, and destructive wildfires. Now, we are seeing destructive flooding and wind cause millions of dollars in damage to much-loved places like Seacliff State Beach; almost 100 parks were partially or fully closed because of storm impacts.

Adapting to prevent a worse future climate is crucial right now. We need to redouble our efforts to become more climate resilient by implementing solutions like living shorelines, managed retreat from low-lying parts of the coast, and improved stormwater capture. But California’s economy is faltering at the exact time we need to adapt. Now, after two years of eyepopping surpluses, the state is currently projecting a $22.5 billion budget deficit — a deficit that may worsen if tax revenues continue to fall short. We all know that difficult times require difficult choices, and Governor Newsom’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year reflects some tough decisions. Unfortunately, the proposed budget released in early January makes cuts in climate resilience and natural resources protection. In fairness, these are areas that have received record one-time investments in recent years, but it’s jarring to contemplate cutting these areas while the climate emergency is worsening. And again, state parks are already affected by today’s climate impacts. What will happen in the future if we don’t continue our commitment to adapt?

We’re also concerned by the proposal to cut $31 million from funds that were approved in 2021 to address the worsening maintenance backlog in California’s state parks. In 2022, state parks got no additional funding to address deferred maintenance. Anyone who has ever lived in a house knows that a leaky roof doesn’t get better if you just put off fixing it. Sustained effort — meaning funding — is needed to address the problem of crumbling infrastructure in state parks to ensure a positive visitor experience.

California State Parks Foundation fills a crucial need by advocating for the protection and preservation of the entire state park system through legislation and the state budget, and we wouldn’t have the impact we do without your support. Thank you for being someone we can always count on for our state parks.

Until next time,

Rachel Norton Executive Director

YOUR IMPACT: AT A GLANCE

We couldn’t do our work for state parks without your enduring support! As a member of California State Parks Foundation, you enable us to make amazing things happen for parks, the outdoors, and the people and wildlife who rely on these beloved spaces. Here’s what you’ve made possible so far this fiscal year, which began July 2022:

$138,472 in funding awarded to our 2022 Wildfire Resiliency and Prevention grantees

1,032 new plants installed in state parks

533 amazing volunteers who have joined our park workdays

$50,000 raised to protect monarch butterflies and the parks they call home

323,081 square feet of invasive plant species removed in state parks

4 educational webinars on topics such as wildfires, monarch butterflies, rare plants, and park advocacy

Assembly Bill

1789 signed into law, thanks in part to your advocacy! This bill supports the improvement and expansion of trails in state parks.

Natural Bridges State Beach

NEW GEAR FOR THE LIBRARY PARKS PASS

ast April, the California State Library Parks Pass officially launched. The program has already been a hit, allowing more Californians to get out and visit their state parks. Because of the success, the pass is getting some upgrades! It now comes with additional gear to make visiting parks a positive and meaningful experience.

California State Parks Foundation has partnered with REI Co-op to expand on the State Library Parks Pass program. REI provided 500 backpacks that will be available to library card holders who check out a pass, and we’re supplying additional education and experience materials included inside the backpacks. They will contain binoculars, California tree and wildflower guides, California wildlife guides, a hand lens, a compass, and more. These additional items will help visitors navigate and learn about the parks they visit, and the backpacks full of gear will be returned along with the pass for the next visitor to enjoy.

As part of a three-year pilot program, each library jurisdiction originally received at least three California State Library Parks Pass hangtags per branch, including mobile libraries, for checkout by library patrons. Now, the program will add an additional 28,000 passes across California to increase the number of passes available at libraries.

Library patrons can check out a pass for free for the allotted number of days allowed by their library. The pass allows free vehicle day-use entry at more than 200 participating state parks.

We’ve also partnered with California State Parks to measure the success of the pass, to ultimately advocate for it to be a permanent program. By analyzing a survey with over 1,000 responses, we’re able to understand the initial successes of the program.

“I have really enjoyed getting outside and visiting the

parks

in

Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, and the Bay Area. Thanks to this free

program, I saved money and had fun. As a single mom, I really appreciate exploring the state, while staying within my budget,” one participant of the program shared.

To learn more about our work to increase access and improve park experiences for visitors, visit calparks.org/libraryparkspass.

AN ENDURING CONNECTION TO PARKS

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: GENE GLEESON

ene Gleeson has been a California State Parks Foundation donor since 2001 and a Californians Leadership Circle member since 2015. As a child, he grew up in Riverside, California, and spent many days outside visiting the beach, exploring the Santa Ana River bottom, and trekking through the hills above the regional orange groves. These days, he still loves exploring all California has to offer, especially near his home in Del Mar, which is right below Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. We recently had the chance to talk with him about his connection and dedication to parks.

What’s a favorite experience you’ve had in a state park?

“My favorite memory in a state park was a Boy Scouts camping trip to Anza-Borrego State Park in 1957. We went in a Volkswagen Beetle with three scouts crammed into this tiny car. We camped in Borrego Palm Canyon Campground and hiked all over the place for a couple of days. We slept in tents, and I remember the patter of rain allowed me to have the best sleep. When we woke up, the creek had water from the palm grove, which was usually dry since it was October. The creek was full of water and rushing downhill quite rapidly. It was such a memorable experience, to witness the canyons fill with water.”

As someone who grew up enjoying the benefits of California’s parks, why do you think access to parks is important and how can it add value to kids’ lives?

“California’s parks are one of the most important things that exist for children, particularly in urban areas and disadvantaged areas. Kids are hard to impress these days because of social and mass media, especially if you grow up in a tiny, confined space and don’t realize what’s out just beyond the fringes. I was fortunate to have my parents, who loved to get out on the weekends. We’d drive to places like Joshua Tree or Lone Pine, hike, and then come back. These are important experiences for young people to have, so they can develop a world view beyond something several blocks away.”

What do you envision for the future of state parks?

“I hope California State Parks Foundation continues to do what they’re doing, and I hope state parks are expanding, with new acquisitions of properties. What’s been done in Sacramento, like at the California State Railroad Museum, allows parks to be in the middle of urban areas and explain history so people understand how California developed. I would like to see that foresight within the state park system, so that they’re always looking for things to develop, and helping people visit and enjoy the historical elements of California.”

Members like Gene are a huge reason we remain so encouraged about the future of state parks and expanding access to them, so all Californians can benefit from the positive impact they offer. Many thanks to Gene for his enduring support!

Gene and his wife, Traute, visiting one of their favorite state parks.

ACT ON CLIMATE THIS EARTH DAY!

his past year in California, we saw a string of the hottest days on record in September followed by a winter of atmospheric rivers that battered our coastlines and inland infrastructure with downpours. These weather extremes come alongside our changing climate and serve as a reminder that we must continue our efforts to protect and preserve the places we hold dearest.

At California State Parks Foundation, we’re committed to acting on climate all year round, and each April, in honor of Earth Day, we invite you to join us in our fight. From California’s remote wild places to your community park, there are plenty of ways to get involved. This April, join us for Earth Day Climate Action.

n In-person Earth Day volunteer workdays: Keep your eye on the calendar as we announce a series of volunteer workdays happening in April. These events will improve state parks’ resiliency to climate change and help restore ecosystems that have already been affected.

n DIY Earth Day Climate Action kit: Register to get a FREE DIY Earth Day Climate Action kit to clean up your neighborhood or local green space! Each kit will include a trash bag, magnet, sticker, and educational resources to read and share with others.

n Digital Earth Day Climate Action: Follow @calparks across social media platforms, where we’ll be sharing all sorts of information on protecting our planet throughout the month of April.

Please join us in our endeavor to create a safer and more equitable climate future in California this Earth Day! Visit calparks.org/earthday for more information on in-person workdays, our DIY kit, and more.

Special thank you to our major sponsor, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, for helping us make this month of action possible.

Montaña de Oro State Park

EXPLORING TOMALES BAY STATE PARK

omales Bay State Park in Marin County offers foggy, peaceful mornings and breathtaking views of the California coast. California State Parks Foundation staff members recently visited, exploring the park’s offerings, capturing its unique features on video, and meeting some locals.

Located 40 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the park is close to Inverness and Point Reyes National Seashore. This is a famously windy area, but Tomales Bay State Park is protected from the winds due to the high backbone of the Point Reyes peninsula. There are recreational opportunities on both the eastern and western sides of Tomales Bay, including hiking, picnicking, and water recreation such as swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

While touring the area, California State Parks Foundation met with Nicholas Turner, a park ranger at Tomales Bay State Park. He discussed his hopes for the park, including the longevity of the park and its forest habitat.

“Our department and our district staff have been working hard on a forest resiliency project to regenerate and revitalize the bishop pine forest and the mixed hardwood forest throughout the park,” he shared.

One of the finest remaining virgin stands of bishop pine is preserved in the Jepson Memorial Grove. This species of tree has survived by adapting to the hard realities of wildfire, and their seeds are only dispersed when the trees are burned or their pinecones are opened by extreme heat.

We also got some insider tips about the park from Jill Giacomini Basch, co-owner and CMO of Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company — a nearby women-owned, family-run dairy farm. Oyster farming and dairies have long been a staple of life in this region, and that remains true today.

She always recommends visitors check out the Millerton Point area of Tomales Bay State Park. “It’s just this beautiful piece of land that kind of juts out into Tomales Bay, and you can see so much wildlife,” Jill said. “Foxes running around the ground, birds landing in the bay. You can see seals sometimes, and even whales will come into the bay.”

The park’s picturesque landscape and many regional activities make it a perfect day-trip destination. View our full video of Tomales Bay State Park and learn more at calparks.org/tomalesbay.

Tomales Bay State Park

Clear Lake State Park

Early spring might just be the best time of year to visit this park. Wildflowers are starting to bloom after winter rains, baby birds are joining the flocks that call the lakeshore home, and fish are enjoying the cool waters. Take a self-guided tour of the waterfowl along the accessible Kelsey Creek Trail, plan an overnight car camping trip, and stop by the visitor center to see up close some of the fish that live in the lake.

Henry W. Coe State Park

Northern California’s largest state park offers over 250 miles of hiking trails, wide sweeping vistas of quintessential Californian hillsides, and hidden swimming holes. This spring, when the hills turn from gold to green in their verdant performance, take a short, guided wildflower walk or plan an overnight backpacking trip before the summer heat sets in.

@calparks @calparks /calparks

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

Add some Black history to your next road trip! Located about halfway between Sacramento and Los Angeles, this historic site is California’s first town founded by and for African American residents. Download the Virtual Adventurer app for a more immersive experience of the state park’s still-standing buildings and living history.

STATE PARKS TO VISIT THIS SPRING

his winter’s record-setting rainfall caused significant damage to several state parks in California. But after every storm, a rainbow of wildflowers is waiting to bloom. Visit some California gems this spring for some of the lushest flora the state has to offer.

Kings Beach State Recreation Area

Experience shoulder season like a local at this north Lake Tahoe beach. After the Miracle March skiers have cleared out but before the Memorial Day crowds set up camp, you’ll have the beach’s sandy shores and fresh, clear water to yourself. Make use of the park’s boat entrance in a clear-bottom kayak and peer down into the crystal blue waters.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

The park’s magnificent sandstone cliffs and seaside vistas are easily accessible from downtown San Diego’s urban center. Take a brief jaunt out the Razor Point Trail to Yucca Point Overlook to see the eponymous, rare Torrey pine trees and springtime yucca flower displays. Visit during low tide to take a stroll along the sandy beach below the cliffs.

Indio Hills Palms Park Property

This unique pocket of lush palm forest is folded into the desert landscape outside Joshua Tree National Park. Native California fan palms grow along a canyon created by the San Andreas fault, which collects enough water to allow the plants to thrive. Depending on your preference, you may want to plan your trip to coincide with or completely avoid a certain music festival held each April in the Coachella Valley.

IMPROVING OUR PARKS

alifornia State Parks Foundation’s 2022 State Parks Improvement Grant Round focused on investing in programs that improve parks and create innovative programs so visitors have meaningful and relevant experiences while visiting California state parks. We awarded 20 parks and park partners grants of up to $10,000 to support projects under one of the three following areas: equitable access, honoring history and culture, and park experience. The grants were awarded in June, and our partners have already made significant progress toward their goals.

Here are a few highlights on the success our grantees have achieved so far:

NAPA VALLEY STATE PARKS ASSOCIATION

BOTHE-NAPA VALLEY STATE PARK

The 2020 Glass Fire devastated areas in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, including the destruction of the wooden Southfork Trail bridge. This bridge served as a key connection point in a popular loop trail in the park. The dangerous, burnt-out remnants of the bridge had been closed to the public for almost two years after the fire until park partners could raise enough funding to repair it. Within the first month the grant was awarded, Napa Valley State Parks Association was able to rebuild the bridge, restoring access to hikers.

MENDOPARKS

JUG HANDLE STATE NATURAL RESERVE

MendoParks has completed an updated brochure for Jug Handle State Natural Reserve. The previous brochure included outdated and inaccurate content regarding environmental issues and local tribes. MendoParks collaborated with native consultants, including the Northern and Coastal Pomo tribes to create relevant, appropriate content to share with park visitors. The updated information provided in this brochure and others funded by this grant will better reflect the ongoing work to include and

represent Indigenous peoples in state parks.

CHALLENGING COLONIALISM PODCAST

STATE PARKS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA

The second season of the Challenging Colonialism podcast came out in January, building upon a successful first season. In the podcast, Indigenous peoples share their stories and perspectives on a wide range of topics that are close to them. Listeners can learn from the podcast before visiting a park to educate themselves on the impacts of California’s long history of colonialism and help them contextualize current efforts to increase the visibility of Indigenous perspectives.

CYARK BIG BASIN REDWOODS STATE PARK AND CHUMASH PAINTED CAVE STATE HISTORIC PARK

CyArk strives to connect new audiences to heritage through digital documentation and the creation of place-based web, mobile, and immersive experiences that inspire reflection, conversation, and imagination. They have been

working closely with California state parks to create two tours: one for Big Basin Redwoods State Park and the other for Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park. Both are on track to launch in early 2023.

To learn more about all our grantees from this round, visit calparks.org/parkgrantees.

VISIT A PARK FOR CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS WEEK

California State Parks Week is June 14-18 this year, and we hope you’ll join! To participate and learn more, visit castateparksweek.org

This year’s themes and more about each day:

JUNE 14

EXPLORE NEW EXPERIENCES

From epic beach days to the magic of ancient redwood forests, there is so much to see, do, and experience in California’s incredible 279 state parks. We encourage everyone to visit a state park and try something new. Interested in camping? Many parks and beaches offer beautiful campgrounds with amenities for first-time campers. How about an interpretive hike to learn about your local history or adventures like surfing, boating, or off-roading? California State Parks Week is your invitation to explore an activity that you just might fall in love with.

JUNE 15

NOURISH YOUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

There’s a reason why “playing outside,” having a barbecue or picnic, or taking a walk in the open air feels so good. Studies have shown that time in nature can boost people’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Everyone should have access to these benefits. California’s state parks give us all places where we can find refuge, inspiration, and joy. When we connect with nature, we are connecting with ourselves and boosting our overall health.

JUNE 16

SUPPORT CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Did you know that forests, oceans, grasslands, and other ecosystems throughout California’s public lands store huge amounts of carbon, making them some of the world’s most powerful tools in adapting to

climate change? That’s one of the reasons why it’s critical that all of us protect lands and waters. On this day, we encourage you to learn about and support state parks and their partners’ efforts to ensure climate resilience across California’s state park system — from expanding protected lands in state parks and restoring forests to engaging in educational dialogue about climate threats and solutions.

JUNE 17

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY AND CULTURE

California’s state parks are for all people. We reaffirm this truth by elevating the perspectives and experiences of communities that have historically been underrepresented in public lands. On this day and every day, we honor Black, Indigenous, and communities of color and the many ways these communities care for, relate with, and enjoy our shared parks. Join us for celebrations and cultural events at state parks statewide.

JUNE 18

CARE FOR OUR SHARED LANDS

It takes our full community to care for public lands. Partners and volunteers are vital to keeping California state parks healthy, beautiful, and rich in biodiversity. Discover how you can get involved in efforts to protect and steward California’s state parks, as park staff, a volunteer, a partner, or one of many other opportunities.

FLASHBACK PHOTO

How long have YOU been reading Parklands? Here is a glimpse into our spring 1995 issue.

Since our founding in 1969, we have protected and preserved the California state park system, for

the benefit of all. An essential part of our work is keeping supporters like you in the know with newsletters like this!

Over the past 50 years, we’ve expanded parks, advocated for parks and park funding, improved and protected parks, mobilized for action when parks were threatened, and increased access to parks so that more of our fellow Californians can enjoy them. Visit calparks.org/ ourhistory to learn more about the history of California State Parks Foundation.

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 or 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 year long parks pass.

This photo of Emerald Bay State Park from @_wanderedsouls was one of our most recent winners on Instagram.

YOUR PARKS LEGACY

Because California state parks have played a role in your life as places of solace and inspiration, and you value protecting nature for future generations, we invite you to leave a legacy. You can keep your vision alive in perpetuity — to protect and preserve the California state park system for the benefit of all — by including California State Parks Foundation in your will, trust, or other legacy plan. In doing so, you’ll make an impact that lasts forever.

You will join a group of passionate California state parks supporters dedicated to protecting the parks during and beyond their lifetimes. Benefits of membership include invitations to our popular Insider Tours, our Brief newsletter, plus the other benefits you already receive as a member.

Learn more at calparks.org/legacy.

33 New Montgomery Street

Suite 520

San Francisco, CA 94105 members@calparks.org

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

Front cover photo: Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach