Archive for January, 2021

January 22nd, 2021

CA Parks Looking Ahead with Hope

Looking Ahead with Hope

Hi Friends-

How are you feeling about the year ahead? Are you feeling optimistic? Ready? Maybe you’re inspired to reset in the new year. Perhaps you’re feeling all of these with doses of uncertainty, too.

For us at Parks California, the answer is D – all of the above – and I think that’s pretty normal right now.

As California State Park’s statutory partner, we’re choosing to lean into hope as we kick off 2021 and move into a year of innovative collaboration and partnerships to help our parks and communities thrive.

With our unique relationship, which was forged with the passage of Senate Bill No. 1111, we are afforded the privilege to collaborate with California State Parks like no other partner can. In fact, together we’ve already developed a set of 2021 joint priorities for the state’s park system, including:

Increasing park visibility through storytelling and communications
Broadening our support of state park programs by raising funds for Jr. Rangers, Junior Lifeguards, and PORTS
Assisting with increasing the capacity of state parks and their partners to address natural resource challenges
Creating pathways for future state park employees that is representative of California’s diverse population
Providing tools and training for state park scientists necessary to effectively manage resource challenges

These priorities are an addition to our 2020 priorities, like the Route to Parks Grants, and will help us build on the work we’ve accomplished so far.

With this vision for the new year, my team and I are ready to take on the quest to strengthen and continue making the state parks more accessible to all people.

I invite you to join us in supporting our mission and in helping us make meaningful impact for communities across the state.

Thank you for all you do, and all we will do together.

Wishing you and yours well,

Kindley

Uncovering Untold Stories

The California State Parks system protects cultural and historic sites that collectively work to tell a shared story of our past. That’s why, as part of our 2021 joint priorities with California State Parks, we are setting out to make state parks relevant to a wider constituency by uncovering additional untold stories that occurred in and around California’s state parks. Stay tuned for more on this exciting project!

Infusing Stewardship with Equity

Parks California joins forces with the California Landscape Stewardship Network. The Network connects collaboratives across the state to share resources and solve common challenges facing our shared landscapes. With this Network, we are excited to dive deep into how we can work across boundaries and with communities to steward lands to ensure both equitable access and climate resilience.

Drawing Inspiration from a Great Leader

Not long ago, Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for equality during the Civil Rights Movement, which led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He was an inspirational leader whose ideals we aim to emulate today when we think of park access and natural resource protection. Did you know Dr. King’s work inspired environmental justice groups? His efforts paved the way for environmental legislation such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.

At Parks California, we are determined to commemorate Dr. King’s memory so everyone can benefit from parks as a place of unity and healing. Learn more about what we do here and join us in our mission.

A Growing Parks California Family

We’re happy to welcome Tony Lillios, our newest board member, and Michael Bridges, our development director, to the Parks California family! Tony is an athlete, adventurer, and an outdoorsman. He is the subject of Crossing Bhutan – the documentary that explores the country’s policy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). Michael has a passion for saving and restoring open spaces and for expanding educational opportunities for people in under-resourced communities. His cross-cultural view of the world has helped further economic justice, human rights, and environmental protections. Please help us give them a warm welcome!

Parks That Thrive & Shine

The latest news and events for you to enjoy with your family and friends.

Big Basin, Big Relief

Sempervirens Fund and Save the Redwoods League donated more than $540,000 to rebuild Big Basin Redwoods State Park. These donations will help the state’s oldest state park recover from the wildfire that tore through the redwood forest last fall.

Controlling Shoreline Erosion

The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications for shoreline erosion control and public beach restoration projects. The deadline to submit applications for funding in fiscal year 2022/23 is Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 by 5 p.m.

Funding Rural and Regional Parks

California State Parks is offering virtual application workshops to help local agencies and non-profit organizations prepare for a combined $46.2 million in funding for two new competitive statewide grant programs. The application is due Nov. 5, 2021 by 5 p.m.

The Three Things We’re Talking About

1. We’re celebrating the historic nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland to lead the Department of the Interior. As a 35th generation New Mexican, Haaland would be the U.S.’s first Native American Cabinet secretary.

2. GrizzlyCorps and CivicSpark AmeriCorps programs pair recent graduates with organizations to build capacity for community and climate resilience. Both programs currently have fellowship and partnership opportunities to host fellows available.

3. California State Parks teamed up with the California Coastal Commission for Getting Wise to Sea Level Rise with California State Parks! We learned about how king tides can give us a glimpse into the impacts of sea level rise along our coastline.