Mount Diablo State Park ©Stacy Beard
A publication of the California State Parks Foundation
california
parklands
2014 FALL
In This
Issue
CSPF Turns 45
Advocacy Updates
Volunteers in State Parks
Giving for the Holidays
Photos of the Month
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Happy Anniversary to CSPF
The California State Parks Foundation gratefully acknowledges the
time and expertise of our Board of Trustees and Advisory Trustees
FOUNDER
William Penn Mott, Jr., (1909-1992)
OFFICERS
David Mandelkern
Chairman
Catherine M. Fisher
Vice Chair
Elizabeth A. Lake
Secretary
Seth Teich
Treasurer
Elizabeth Goldstein
President
Donald J. Robinson
Chairman Emeritus
Henry F. Trione
Chairman Emeritus
Shirley Bogardus
Trustee Emeritus
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Michael U. Alvarez
President and COO
First Wind Holdings, LLC
Douglas Beebe
Corporate Manager
Administration Services
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc.
Lee Black
Executive Managing Director
Principal, Cassidy Turley
Michael J. Brill
Partner, retired
McGuire Woods LLP
Kathleen Cochran
General Manager
Bacara Resort & Spa
Donald E. Cooley
Ranch Properties
Carolyn DeVinny
Commute/Trip Reduction Consultant
The DeVinny Group
William G. Doolittle
Partner, retired
Doolittle & Ganos
Investment Counsel, LLC
Diana Lu Evans
Senior Quality Analytics Specialist
The Capital Group Companies, Inc.
William H. Fain, Jr., FAIA
Partner, Johnson Fain
Catherine M. Fisher
Principal, Fisher Kong LLP
Manuel G. Grace
Associate General Counsel
The Walt Disney Company
John Harrington
Certified Public Accountant
Sanford L. Hartman
VP and Managing Director, Law
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Wendy James
President, The Better World Group
Stephen A. Johnson
Director, Gnarus Advisors LLC
Gail E. Kautz
Former Member, California Park &
Recreation Commission
Vice President, Ironstone Vineyards
Virginia Chang Kiraly
Commissioner
California Commission For Economic
Development
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Elizabeth A. Lake
Partner, Holland & Knight LLP
Patrick Lee
Senior Vice President
Customer Service, Innovation, Business
Strategy and Chief Environmental
Compliance Officer
Southern California Gas Company
David Mandelkern
Silicon Valley Entrepreneur
Rosalind Nieman
Educator and Child Specialist
Maidie E. Oliveau
Counsel, Arent Fox LLP
Larry Palmer, CFP
Managing Director, Private Wealth
Advisor
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth
Management
Robert E. Patterson
Partner, Peninsula Ventures
Patricia Perez
CEO, VPE Public Relations
Michael J. Pinto, Ph.D
Advisory Board Chair, Institute for
Nonprofit Education and Research,
School of Leadership Education and
Science, University of San Diego
Frank J. Quevedo
Principal
The Quevedo Group, LLC
Donald J. Robinson
Senior Vice President, retired
Bank of the West
Roger M. Schrimp
Partner, Damrell Nelson Schrimp
W. James Scilacci
EVP, CFO and Treasurer
Edison International
Michael L. Shannon
Principal
The General Counsel Law Firm
Mark B. Smith
Business Consultant
Seth Teich, CFA
Financial Analyst, Spring Point Capital
Peter H. Weiner
Partner
Paul Hastings LLP
ADVISORY TRUSTEES
William T. Duff
Executive, retired, Toyota
Rhonda Glasscock
Philanthropy Manager
National Education & Environment
Programs
Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc
William Randolph Hearst, III
Partner
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
Connie Lurie
CBL Foundation
Gary Polakovic
President, Make Over Earth, Inc.
Mark Manguera
Founder & CEO
Kogi BBQ
Chego
Paradigm Group
Alexander M. Power
Principal
Real Estate Development & Investments
Stuart N. Senator
Partner, Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
I
t is a year of celebration. 2014 marks the 150th
anniversary of the start of the state parks system
through the Yosemite Grant. Additionally, California
State Parks Foundation (CSPF) turns 45 this fall.
I recently re-read Joseph H. Engbeck Jr.’s seminal
book on the history of state parks, “State Parks of
California: From 1864 to the Present.” It was interesting
to get the bird’s eye view of the history of state parks.
It reminded me that CSPF’s reach over our 45 years has
been deep. We acquired land all over the state from the
small town of Marshall on Tomales Bay for the Marconi
Center to parcels in the Anza-Borrego Desert. We have
had our hand in the preservation of historic landmarks,
including Vikingsholm at Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay,
the Adamson House in Malibu (we helped acquire the
collections there), and the rebuilding of the Chapel at
Fort Ross.
The year’s anniversaries also make me want to
review CSPF’s recent accomplishments and muse a
little on what the future might hold for us and the
Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).
We have finished the stabilization of the Pigeon
Point Light Station and are now energetically
fundraising to complete the restoration project. In the
arena of urban parks we have been especially active,
not always choosing the easiest projects, but definitely
ones that move us most and will most benefit the park
and its visitors. We have completed the first phase
of development for Yosemite Slough in the BayviewHunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco, and have
been instrumental in developing the master plan for Los
Angeles State Historic Park (LASHP). LASHP is now
under construction and we are helping to raise funds for
completion of its welcome center. We raised funds to
build the natural portions of Rio de Los Angeles State
and State Parks
Park and helped start a PORTS program at Baldwin
Hills. These parks are critical to connecting California’s
city dwellers to the state parks system and we have been
putting our money where our conviction is.
In recent years our field of work has expanded
beyond these kinds of capital projects to new programs
and new ways of helping the broad parks community
through the crises of the last six years. In all these areas
our goals have been big:
Hidden Stories Series
This program is dedicated to exposing some of the
underlying historical themes that exist in state parks
but are not yet well told. The first in the series was on
African American history in state parks, inspired by
the centennial of the founding of the community that
is now honored at Colonel Allensworth State Historic
Park. Since then we have held workshops on Russian
American history and Latino/a history.
Park Champions
We began this volunteer program as a mechanism
for giving more Californians the opportunity to put
their own sweat equity into our wonderful parks system
while reducing the workload on DPR for managing
these volunteer opportunities. We are now doing regular
programs in 27 parks across the state.
Park Partnership Grants
We have given more than $1.2 million in grants
to organizations all over the state who are working to
support their state parks in new and better ways.
Technical Assistance Center
As we talked in greater depth to our partners
about what would help them do better work for their
state parks, we realized that we could help them
build capacity through providing specific and tailored
technical assistance. The concept of the Technical
Assistance Center was born. So far it has served more
than 100 organizations with support.
Park Advocacy
In the policy, legislation and advocacy realm, we
have emerged as the go-to nonprofit for definitive and
incisive thinking on all things state parks.
45 years and going strong! I think the aspect of our
work that makes me the proudest is that we have steered
through the rough sea of the most recent difficult period
for state parks with a sense of purpose, flexibility,
and willingness to assess and fulfill needs. Like many
organizations in the state parks community, we have
had to do things we have never done before and we have
succeeded in doing them well.
What does this mean for the future? There are many
roles we have assumed that have been broadly assessed
as valuable, such as our Technical Assistance Center
and Park Champions program. Those we will continue.
Others, like Hidden Stories, have been successful, but we
want to broaden their impact going forward. There are
other programs still that we will let go of.
However, that willingness to keep looking for
excellence in ourselves, in DPR, and in our broad
communities is something that will never change.
Thank you for your support. We can’t do it without you!
Elizabeth Goldstein
President
PARKLANDS IS BACK!
To celebrate our 45th anniversary, we are returning
Parklands to print. We heard your feedback that you like
receiving the newsletter at home, and we listened.
There will still be an electronic version available to
those of you who prefer it on your computer, tablet, or
smartphone at calparks.org/parklands-online.
Fort Ord Dunes State Park ©Steve Zmak
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PARK ADVOCACY
Political Updates from the Capitol in Sacramento
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
T
he Legislature officially adjourned and ended
the 2013-2014 legislative session in the early
morning hours of Saturday, August 30. Three
pieces of legislation related to state parks that CSPF
supported during the session were passed and advanced
to Governor Brown’s desk. Two bills attempted to make
a variety of policy changes that would have improved
the state park system’s relevance to Californians and
required modernization of park facilities. Assembly
Bill 2150 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon
(D-Lakewood) would have created the Division of
Community Initiatives & Park Access within the
Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to
improve park access for underserved communities.
Senate Bill 633 by Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura
Hills) required DPR to inventory its current energy
costs, identify energy-saving infrastructure projects,
establish a pilot program to allow mobile food and
beverage concessions at state parks, and create at least
two new regional state park passes.
The other major state parks bill CSPF supported
that made it to the governor’s desk was a bill specific
to the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park. Senate Bill
170 by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) authorized the
sale of flour and corn meal milled at the Bale Grist Mill
State Historic Park. As a historic water-driven mill
that predates California’s statehood, the Bale Grist
Mill provides an engaging interpretive and creative
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opportunity to learn about regional California history,
as well as a chance to witness an age-old technology
that is still effective in producing a quality milled
product.
Unfortunately, Governor Brown vetoed all three
bills. With respect to AB 2150 and SB 633, he stated
that he would prefer to wait until after the Parks
Forward Commission releases a final report this fall
before implementing any of the proposals outlined in
these two bills. The governor has directed DPR to work
with the authors of AB 2150 and SB 633 on “common
proposals that can be implemented in the next
fiscal year.” While we understand Governor Brown’s
desire to wait until the Parks Forward report, we are
disappointed with his actions. We remain confident that
the proposals in AB 2150 and SB 633 are consistent
with both the vision of Parks Forward, a process in
which CSPF has been actively engaged since 2013,
as well as CSPF’s Park Excellence Report, which we
published in 2011.
Governor Brown also vetoed SB 170, stating that
he felt the legislation was “premature, as no best
management practices yet exist for historic waterdriven grist mills.” The governor has indicated that he
will direct the Department of Public Health and DPR
to continue working on this issues and identify other
ways to raise revenue at the park.
THANK YOU to the thousands of CSPF members,
activists and supporters who took action through our
online Action Center to send a letter to the governor.
While we are disappointed by the vetoes, CSPF remains
committed to advocating for legislative and policy
changes that protect and enhance the California state
parks system.
We look forward to continuing that work in the
next 2015-16 Legislative Session and will continue to
use our Action Center to notify park advocates about
important issues impacting state parks.
STATE BUDGET
Governor Brown signed the State Budget on June 20.
In his January 2014 budget proposal and throughout
budget negotiations with the Legislature, he proposed
significant General Fund and special fund expenditures
on infrastructure and deferred maintenance projects,
including $40 million for state park deferred
maintenance needs. When the final budget was
agreed upon by the Legislature and the governor, it
included a revenue trigger in order for any deferred
maintenance or infrastructure funds to be released to
any department.
The trigger required that funds would not be spent
unless property taxes exceeded an estimate in the
governor’s May Revision. In mid-July, the Department
of Finance determined that the trigger had not
been met and the additional spending for deferred
maintenance therefore was not authorized. This
means that DPR did not receive $40 million toward its
deferred maintenance needs.
Although $40 million was a small dent toward an
estimated $1.3 billion deferred maintenance backlog in
our parks, CSPF strongly supported starting to chip
away at that backlog. Unfunded and underfunded
maintenance needs in our state parks create a burden
for park managers that often results in visible impacts
or conditions for park visitors.
CSPF will continue to advocate for ways to reduce
the maintenance backlog and ensure safe, enjoyable
experiences throughout our state parks.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER
Over the summer, CSPF’s Technical Assistance Center
(TAC) continued to provide free, targeted assistance
to nonprofit organizations that support state parks.
With the goal of helping increase the capacity and
abilities of park-supporting organizations, TAC
launched a second round of Office Hours for park
partners. Under the Office Hours format, park partners
signed up to receive no-cost, individualized phone
assistance from our TAC consultants this summer.
Our three consultants – the Center for Nonprofit
Management, Full Court Press, and Klein & Roth
Consulting – respectively provided organizational
support, communications, and fundraising support to
organizations seeking help with specific questions. Due
to its success and popularity, we are preparing to offer
this service in another round of Office Hours again in
the fall.
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TAC has also been looking at the “big picture” of
support that comes to California’s state parks system
from non-governmental organizations. From summer
to fall, TAC has been engaged in an Organizational
Assessment (OA) of the nonprofit sector that supports
state parks.
The goals of this assessment are to create a profile
of the nonprofit sector and
achieve clarity about the
current capacity of, and future
opportunities in, the park
partner world. Much attention
has pointing at the need to
improve, strengthen, and
expand effective partnerships
in, around, and for our state
parks. From CSPF’s own
work supporting legislative
authorities for nonprofit
operations of state parks,
to attention from the Parks
Forward Commission, to interest from a changing
administration at DPR, it is clear that productive
partnerships are essential to managing and promoting
an excellent state parks system. We are pleased to be
working with Randy Widera of RWWidera Consulting
in this work and look forward to using the results
to guide the ways in which TAC can provide even
more targeted and effective services to increase park
partnerships.
CSPF LAUNCHES STATE PARK
ACTION NETWORK (SPAN)
In 2008, CSPF formed the Save Our State Parks
Campaign (SOS) in response to the unprecedented
proposed closure of state parks. Over the course of
the past seven years, the SOS Campaign has worked to
unify over 300 entities, including chambers
of commerce, convention and visitors
bureaus, businesses, state parks cooperating
associations and other nonprofit
organizations from throughout California
to fight against park closure proposals and
threats to eliminate lifeguards from state
beaches.
While California’s state parks system
continues to face challenges, the immediate
threat of park closures seems to be behind
us. Because of this, CSPF has decided to
retire the SOS Campaign and launch the
State Park Action Network (SPAN).
SPAN is a grassroots network of organizations,
business leaders, individuals and local governments
taking action and advocating for a healthy and
sustainable state parks system. Under the leadership
of CSPF, SPAN unifies park supporters who envision a
brighter future for our 280 state parks.
If you would like to become involved with SPAN,
please contact Grassroots Manager Linsey FredenburgHumes at [email protected].
PARK ADVOCACY DAY 2015
Planning is currently underway for CSPF’s 13th Annual Park Advocacy Day, which will
take place in spring 2015. During Park Advocacy Day, park supporters from throughout
California gather in Sacramento and spend the day meeting with policymakers at the
Capitol to lobby in support of state parks.
Park Advocacy Day has a powerful impact on CSPF’s year-round advocacy work. It is a
great way for individuals who are interested in speaking up for state parks to become
more involved in advocacy efforts.
The date of Park Advocacy Day 2015 will be announced in the coming months, and
registration will open in January 2015. To learn more about Park Advocacy Day, please
visit our website calparks.org/PAD.
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area ©Sally Cullen
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STATE PARKS ARE GREAT PLACES
End Your Summer in a Great Place Photo Challenge
Submissions from the End Your Summer in a Great Place Photo Challenge, for which park supporters shared their photos on Facebook
W
hether it’s a photo of a beautiful sunset, a
candid photo of a family enjoying a day at
the beach, or a selfie after a challenging hike,
a photograph taken at a state park can inspire others to
experience for themselves why California’s State Parks
are Great Places.
That’s why at the end of the summer CSPF asked
our members and Facebook fans to participate in the
End Your Summer in a Great Place Photo Challenge.
During the Photo Challenge, participants uploaded their
favorite state park photos to our Facebook page, helping
to create a wonderful photo gallery.
First Place: Amy George
Plumas-Eureka State Park
Second Place: Clark Kranz
Torrey Pines State Beach
Each week during the Photo Challenge, a randomly
selected photographer was awarded a prize package
from CSPF’s online store, and at the conclusion of the
End Your Summer in a Great Place Photo Challenge,
we awarded first, second and third place prizes to the
photographers whose photos had received the most votes
on Facebook (see photos below).
Thank you to everyone who participated in the End
Your Summer in a Great Places Photo Challenge! To
view a gallery of images from the End Your Summer in a
Great Place Photo Challenge, visit our website at
calparks.org/greatplaces.
Third Place: Shailesh Vyas
Mount Diablo State Park
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PROGRAMS REPORT
Packard Summer Learning Program
Since its inception in 2009, more than 10,000 kids – most of whom had never visited a state park or gone camping before – have had the opportunity
to do just that while learning about science, natural resources, ecology and more, all designed to improve their academic performance during the
school year through the Packard Summer Learning Program.
Park Champions Volunteer Program
CSPF’s Park Champions volunteer program has held 360 workdays in state parks across the state, with 2,965 volunteers working 5,625 shifts and
21,500 hours since the program began in 2010. Above: Donna and Paul Nystrom (front center) lead a Park Champions group in a day of trails
maintenance at Mount San Jacinto State Park. Right: Donna builds a ramada at Salton Sea State Recreation Area, ©Alex Kagdis.
8
PARK CHAMPIONS VOLUNTEER PROFILE
Donna and Paul Nystrom: Park Champions Power Couple
and Engineering Dream Team
D
onna and Paul Nystrom are part of a new
generation of roving Core Leaders: volunteers
who project manage and lead events at remote
parks across California. They’ve been married for 35
years, “so we know each other fairly well,” jokes Paul.
Monday through Friday they both develop software to
perform analysis of aerospace systems, and much of
their time is spent in offices and meetings.
They started volunteering with Park Champions as a
way to see new parks, help the parks system, make new
friends, do physical work outside, and not spend their
weekends “just doing chores around the house.” The
Park Champions Program greatly benefits from Donna’s
amazing problem solving and organizational skills,
Paul’s great people skills and tongue-in-cheek sense of
humor, and their willingness to travel and support parks
they have never visited before. The Nystroms have been
enjoying hiking and camping in state parks for the past
30 years. They began volunteering with Park Champions
in early 2013 and attended our Leadership Orientation
nine months later in order to become Core Leaders.
At first, they tag-teamed leading workdays with
other Core Leaders and our Field Consultant, and
gradually took on more responsibilities while thinking
of simple and impactful ways to streamline the Core
Leader role. One of their first great ideas was to simplify
lunch shopping. They created a list of items needed for a
group of 30. They modify the list based on the number
of volunteers registered for each particular project, and
use it to place an order with their neighborhood grocery
store for pickup. They have since shared this list with
countless other Core Leaders who want to buy the right
amount of food and provide a wide variety of lunch
options at a low cost but don’t want to spend an hour at
the store.
One of their favorite aspects of volunteering is
the opportunity to work with a very diverse group of
people who care about parks. They have both worked
as engineers in the same industry for 30 years, and most
of their social group works in the same field. Through
leading workdays, they’ve enjoyed expanding and
diversifying their circle of friends by working closely
with teachers, students, retirees, journalists, board
members of local parks support groups, and a wide
variety of park staff. They like to identify people’s
strengths and organize projects to maximize those
qualities, while ensuring everyone feels comfortable in
their role.
The most meaningful benefit of volunteering for
the Nystroms is learning the impact of each project for
each unique park and the wide variety of projects. They
enjoyed maintaining remote trails at the top of Mount
San Jacinto. Paul explained how volunteering gave them
a more in-depth understanding of the parks than they
had as a regular park visitors.
“We always wondered how the trails were kept
clear,” said Paul.
They enjoyed learning from park staff how clearing
invasive ice plant at Silver Strand State Beach helps
reduce fire hazards, constructing ramadas at the Salton
Sea supports school group programs, and “swamping”
or cutting large branches of invasive plants improves
animal habitat. At Palomar, Donna enjoyed riding in
the pick-up truck with the ranger, learning the “inside
story” of the park, and seeing wild turkeys and bob cat
kittens in a culvert.
“They were so cute,” said Donna.
“We find something to like at every park; each park
has its own personality,” added Paul.
When asked to self-assess their experience of
volunteering with the program, Donna explained, “We’re
growing as leaders. We’re taking on more responsibility.”
Now in October 2014, after almost two years of
volunteering with Park Champions, Donna and Paul are
ready to work independently with park staff to project
manage future workdays. They are planning a bench
building and barbeque installation workday at Colonel
Allensworth State Historic Park and a major weekendlong campground cleanup at the Salton Sea State
Recreation Area with free camping and kayaking. Donna
is writing the work plans and working out the details
with park staff. Paul is helping publicize the workdays
by contacting local papers and community colleges.
Paul described their attitude as leaders: “We have a
‘do what needs to be done’ philosophy. We like to think
of new ways to organize things. We’re both pretty lazy,”
he jokes, “so we try to be as efficient as possible.”
Donna, Paul, and our other intrepid Core Leaders
across the state would love to have your help at an
upcoming workday. If you would like to make new
friends and get your hands dirty helping keep our parks
vibrant, volunteer with us at a workday near you!
Visit our website to see a map and calendar of
upcoming events at calparks.org/volunteer.
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SUPPORTING STATE PARKS
Grants Support State Park Improvements
C
SPF supports various state
park partners, nonprofits
and other organizations
through two ongoing grant
programs.
PARK ENRICHMENT
GRANTS
Through our Park Enrichment
Grants program (formerly
Discretionary Grants), CSPF
awards grants up to $10,000
to organizations for projects or
programs that protect, enhance
and preserve California’s state
parks.
These grants are made
possible by CSPF members and
the generous support of Anchor
Brewing Company and the Joseph
and Vera Long Foundation. The
program’s focus was revised in
August 2014 and renamed Park
Enrichment Grants. The grants are
now awarded to be aligned with
the five vision elements of CSPF’s
Park Excellence Project: Celebrate
Our Enduring Heritage, Welcome
Visitors, Teach Californians,
Safeguard Resources, and Connect
Individuals, Organizations, and
Partners.
CSPF awarded 19 grants in
June 2014. Grant awards included
river restoration, beach cleanups,
transportation for school groups,
expansion of educational programs
and much more.
June 2014 Park Enrichment
Grant Recipients
Angel Island Immigration Station
Foundation
Angel Island State Park
$4,300 for first-year implementation
of the Parks Online Resources for
Teachers and Students educational
module.
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Bodie Foundation & Friends of
Mono Lake Reserve
Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve
$5,000 for the monitoring program of
the nesting success, local movement,
and dispersal of the Mono Lake osprey
population.
California Department of Parks
and Recreation
Los Angeles County parks
$4,500 for new technology and
training for Parks Online Resources
for Teachers and Student’s staff.
California Department of Parks
and Recreation
Rio de Los Angeles State Park
$6,000 to extend the current program
of the outdoor learning and arts
laboratory at “Bowtie Parcel.”
Concerned Resources and
Environmental Workers (C.R.E.W.)
Emma Wood State Beach
$5,000 to rehabilitate the Ventura
River and estuary by engaging youth
employees and community volunteers.
Foundation for the Preservation of
the Santa Susana Mountain
Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
$2,112 for guided educational hikes for
local 3rd graders, transportation for
school groups and plant and wildlife
brochures.
Friends of Allensworth
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
$1,500 for marketing and
communications assistance for
organizational capacity building.
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe
State Historic Park
$3,000 for the development of
bilingual (Spanish/English) California
Rancho Period pre- and post-visit
lesson plans for 3rd and 4th grade
students.
Friends of Sutter’s Fort
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
$3,500 for a youth docent program.
Friends of the Salton Sea State
Recreation Area
Salton Sea State Recreation Area
$7,500 for the second season of Salton
Sea Discovery Kids Camp to support
transportation of school groups and
other program needs.
Gilroy-Yamato Hot Springs
Interpretive
Henry W. Coe State Park (GilroyYamato Hot Springs)
$4,000 for the equipment for special
events and other park activities to
raise awareness of a unique cultural
feature of the park.
Los Angeles Audubon Society
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
(Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook)
$8,000 for a weekly outdoor classroom
for under-served students and
transportation costs for schools.
Mounted Assistance Unit
Annadel State Park
$2,500 for equipment for the Bicycle
Assistance Unit.
Santa Barbara Trust for Historic
Preservation
El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State
Historic Park
$5,000 to expand Early California
Days park event and provide
transportation costs for school groups.
Save Our Shores
Santa Cruz and Monterey County parks
$4,500 for state beach education
curriculum and transportation to beach
cleanup sites.
South Yuba River Park Association
South Yuba River State Park
$2,000 for transportation for school
groups.
Valley of the Moon Natural History
Association
Jack London State Historic Park
$8,000 to reduce the threat of wildfire
through creating defensible space
around historic structures, roads and
trails.
Valley of the Moon Observatory
Association
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
$950 for outdoor display cases to post
educational materials and upcoming
public events.
Will Rogers Ranch Foundation
Will Rogers State Historic Park
$3,500 for transportation for school
groups.
working to support state parks in
California. The latest round looked
beyond the crisis of keeping parks
open and began to define a new
future for the state parks system by
supporting CSPF’s Park Excellence
vision element themes: Celebrate
Our Enduring Heritage, Welcome
Visitors, Teach Californians,
Safeguard Resources, and Connect
Individuals, Organizations, and
Partners. Grant funds awarded
are supporting nonprofit park
operators, capital improvement
projects and much more.
August 2014 Park
Partnership Grant Recipients
Angel Island Conservancy
PARK PARTNERSHIP
GRANTS
Since the spring of 2012, when 70
state parks were facing imminent
closure, CSPF has offered Park
Partnership Grants to assist
nonprofits working to ensure
state parks would remain open
and accessible. To date, over $1
million has been awarded. CSPF
applauds the efforts of grantee
organizations and their dedicated
staff and volunteers who work
tirelessly on behalf of state parks.
Some grant recipients have
taken over direct operation of
entire parks, while others have
renovated dilapidated bathrooms,
opened new trails and posted
new trail signage, upgraded
plumbing, re-opened visitor centers
and launched new interpretive,
education and stewardship
programs.
These grants are made possible
by the generous support of the
Marisla Foundation, the Thomas
J. Long Foundation, and the S.D.
Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
CSPF was happy to announce
in August 2014 a new round of
grant awards totaling $250,000 to
13 nonprofit organizations that are
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park ©Charley Griswold
Angel Island State Park
$20,000 for a visitor center at Ayala
Cove.
Benicia State Parks Association
Benicia Capitol State Historic Park
$12,000 to increase education and
interpretation programs through
expansion of the speaker program
and interpretive panels at the FischerHanlon House.
Central Coast State Parks
Association
Montana de Oro State Park
$20,000 for the restoration of the
Spooner Ranch.
Mendocino Area Parks Association
Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area
$30,000 for a bridge replacement,
bathroom improvements and
construction of new camp host site.
Napa Valley State Parks
Association
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
$10,000 for the rehabilitation of the
Pioneer Cemetery.
Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers
Association
Point Cabrillo Light Station State
Historic Park
$8,000 to upgrade the marine science
interpretive exhibit in the smithy
building.
Portola and Castle Rock
Foundation
Portola Redwoods State Park
$25,000 for the reconstruction of a
ramada.
Sonoma Ecology Center
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
$30,000 for the creation of interpretive
programs that use mobile device
based tours and accessible, bilingual
interpretive displays, expansion of
education programs and feasibility
plan for group/horse camp sites.
Stewards of the Coast and
Redwoods
Grey Whale Cove State Beach and
Montara State Beach
$20,000 for a camping feasibility study
at Green Valley.
Austin Creek State Recreation Area
$30,000 for park operation and
maintenance, including cultural
and natural resources management,
recreation, interpretation and
education, marketing and revenue
generation.
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Interpretive Association
Valley of the Moon Natural History
Association
Coastside State Parks Association
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
$2,500 to upgrade volunteer facilities
at Cedar Grove.
Friends of the Salton Sea State
Recreation Area
Salton Sea State Recreation Area
$7,000 for the renovation and revamp
of a playground.
Jack London State Historic Park
$30,000 to modernize displays and
interactive activities utilizing new
technologies, development of park
signage, interpretive panels and
education materials and creation of
natural resource protection plan.
11
GIVING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Thanks to You, Our State Parks Thrive
A LETTER FROM THE VICE
PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT
I
am delighted to have recently joined the California
State Parks Foundation as Vice President of
Development. This month, as we count our
many blessings, I am personally grateful for our 280
magnificent state parks—and for the opportunity to
partner with members like you to preserve and protect
the invaluable habitats, wildlife, and history they
contain.
For 45 years, CSPF has served as our parks’
trusted steward and protector. With your support
as a member this past year, CSPF provided a record
level of grant support and technical assistance to park
partner organizations throughout the state, organized
hundreds of volunteer workdays that made tangible
improvements in parks, held our first state park expo
during the 12th Annual Park Advocacy Day, and much
more.
This year, as California’s state parks system
celebrates its 150th anniversary, our parks need our
help more than ever before. Our goal is to build on the
legacy of the past 150 years to ensure that California’s
parks are adequately funded, fully accessible, and
recognized as a hallmark of state pride for generations
to come.
We are excited to continue our important work in
2015, but we can’t do it without your support. That
is why I am asking for your help this holiday season.
Thanks to a generous matching grant from the Donner
Foundation, your year-end gift will go twice as far for
parks! Please make a tax-deductible donation to CSPF
before December 31 and your gift will be matched.
You may even want to consider joining our
Californians Leadership Circle this year with a gift of
$1,000 or more, which will also be matched! This group
of committed park lovers plays a major role in shaping
the future of our state parks—and enjoys special
benefits as well.
Thank you, and happy holidays!
Margie Shurgot
Vice President, Development
12
FUND YOUR GIFT WITH STOCK
Did you know you can donate stock to CSPF and avoid
capital gains tax?
When you contribute shares of appreciated stock
that you have owned for at least a year, you receive an
immediate income tax deduction for the fair market
value on the date of transfer, regardless of what you
originally paid for the stock. This means you may
avoid paying capital gains tax on the increase in value.
With a gift of stock, you can support state parks while
enjoying even greater tax savings—something we can
both appreciate!
For details on how to contribute stock, please go to
calparks.org/donations.
GENEROUS PARTNERS ADVANCE
CSPF’S MISSION
Corporate and foundation partners are an essential
part of CSPF’s community of supporters, and we are
delighted to announce two recent partnerships that
highlight the value of their contributions.
Edison International has played a leadership role
in advancing CSPF’s mission since 1993 by providing
financial support for vital programs and events as well
as enthusiastic staff volunteers who have donated
their time to help complete park improvement projects
statewide. This fall Edison International awarded
CSPF a generous grant of $60,000 that provides
critical funding for our Park Champions program (see
pages 8-9) as well as expands environmental education
opportunities for youth through our Summer Learning
and Outdoor Youth Connection programs.
In addition, The William Randolph Hearst
Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to support
the second phase of our park development project
at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area in
southeastern San Francisco. When 21 acres of closed
parklands in the first urban state park in California
are fully renovated, the new amenities will include a
state-of-the-art welcome center, the completion of an
important 2,539-foot section of the regional Bay Trail,
park viewing and picnic areas, restrooms, signage, and
lighting. This phase is anticipated to be completed
in 2016 and will create a contiguous recreational,
environmental, and educational corridor that will be
used by over 300,000 visitors annually.
We are grateful to Edison International, The
Hearst Foundation, and our many other partners for
helping us promote environmental conservation, access
to public lands, youth education, and healthy and
active lifestyles.
To learn about partnership opportunities, please
contact Director of Major and Planned Gifts Martha
Henderson at [email protected] or (415) 262-4404.
DONATE A MEMORIAL TABLE
Looking for a way to celebrate a loved one or special
occasion? Consider donating a picnic table to a
state park that you and others can enjoy. For a taxdeductible gift of $2,500, members and supporters
of the California State Parks Foundation can donate
a personalized, eight-foot-long redwood picnic table
with a personalized inscription carved directly into the
redwood. For more information, please contact Morgan
Stewart at [email protected] or (415) 262-4409.
Memorial tables and benches have recently been
approved at: Angel Island State Park, Annadel State
Park, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve,
Bean Hollow State Beach, Crystal Cove State Park,
Half Moon Bay State Beach, Henry W. Coe State Park,
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, Morro
Strand State Beach, Mount Diablo State Park, Point
Mugu State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods.
WHY WE’D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT
YOUR LEGACY GIFT NOW
Have you included CSPF in your estate plan and not
told us about it? Every so often we receive a surprise
bequest through a will or trust from a supporter who
passed away but had not told us in advance about their
generous decision. While we are very grateful in any
case, we would love to celebrate your generosity during
your lifetime. In addition to thanking you, we’ll invite
you to join the William Penn Mott, Jr. Legacy Society,
CSPF’s way of honoring you for stepping forward. Your
participation encourages others to do the same!
Gifts of any size are welcome, and of course
you have the option of giving anonymously. So
please, consider sharing your plans with us. For more
information, please contact Martha Henderson at
[email protected] or (415) 262-4404.
And whatever your choice, thank you so much for
considering CSPF in your legacy planning.
SAVE THE DATE:
2015 GOLDEN POPPY
AWARDS GALA
Mark your calendar for the upcoming Golden
Poppy Awards Gala to be held on Saturday, June
6, 2015, at the historic Administration Building San
Francisco Bay’s Treasure Island. The grandeur of
this 1939 Art Deco building, along with astonishing
views of San Francisco’s skyline, will make for an
elegant evening as we honor extraordinary leaders
who have helped ensure that state parks continue to
provide adventure, renewal, and inspiration for all
Californians.
Please join us to show your support for CSPF’s
important programs that improve, enhance, and
sustain California’s magnificent state parks system.
For more information, contact Morgan Stewart at
[email protected] or (415) 262-4409..
13
CSPF ONLINE STORE
CSPF 2015 CALENDAR FOR SALE
Our beautiful limited edition 2015 calendar
features breathtaking images of some of our most
spectacular state parks that are great places to take
the plunge, see a star, be among giants, time travel,
catch a wave, go the distance and more. Buy one
today at calparks.org/store as a daily reminder to get
out and do great things in your state parks.
GEAR UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH CSPF
With the holidays just around the corner, pick up some great gifts for your friends and
family, and a little something for yourself, at a great discount. From now until 2015 all
members receive a special holiday discount of 15 percent! All store proceeds help support
the work of CSPF and allow us to continue as Your Voice for Parks.
Login today at calparks.org/store and start shopping.
14
CSPF PHOTO CONTEST
T
hank you to all the photographers who
participate in our monthly state parks photo
contest. You consistently submit amazing images
from state parks across California, and we love to see
the range and diversity of photos.
The recent photo of the month winners are no
exception, with beautiful photos from a variety of
parks. From poppies in the spring to colored leaves in
the fall, these photos give a glimpse of the wide range
of experiences you can have in California state parks
year round. That is part of what makes this photo
contest so great!
The online contest is open to anyone, so if you
aren’t already participating, join today. It is a free,
statewide contest located on our website. Photo
submissions should be taken in California state parks.
The rest is up to you.
Each month a photograph is chosen as the “Photo
of the Month,” and the photographer receives a variety
of prizes, including a free CSPF membership and a
Lowepro camera bag.
For more information on how to participate or
to register for the contest, please visit our website
calparks.org/gallery.
Thank you to our fantastic contest sponsor
Lowepro and all our participants.
RECENT PHOTO OF THE MONTH WINNERS
May
Indian Grinding Rock State
Historic Park
©Sally Cullen
June
Cardiff State Beach
©Julianne Bradford
August
Crystal Cove State Park
©Susan Liepa
July
Moss Landing State Beach
©Dan DellaChiesa
September
Annadel State Park
©Steve Nett
15
READ PARKLANDS ONLINE
To view this or previous issues of Parklands
online, please visit calparks.org/Parklands-Online.
parklands
california
50 Francisco Street, Suite 110
San Francisco, CA 94133
Nonprofit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
California State
Parks Foundation
STAY CONNECTED
Go to our website and sign up for our monthly
e-newsletter and action alerts to stay up to date
on all state park issues. Signing up online helps
you stay current with our work on behalf of
state parks. You can also like us on Facebook and
follow us on Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
CALIFORNIA PARKLANDS
Fall 2014, Volume 31, Number 3
(ISSN: 0892-0095) is published
by the California State Parks
Foundation, Copyright (c) 2014
CSPF. All rights reserved.
EDITOR: Alexis Trivisonno
CSPF WEBSITE calparks.org
STAFF MEMBERS
Mike Bankert, Cheryl Brier, Cecille Caterson,
Debbie Chong, Beverly Clark, Rebecca Eiseman,
Jerry Emory, Linsey Fredenburg-Humes, Elizabeth
Goldstein, Nicole Gutierrez, Travis Hattori, Martha
Henderson, Hilda Hollis, Kate Litzky, Ziba Marashi,
Jennifer McLin-Ramirez, Erin McNerney, Phoebe
Oelheim, Gabrielle Ohayon, Justin Otero, Joseph
Perkins, Bella Podolsky, Jonah Punzal, Eleanor
Robertson, Erland Sanborn, Margie Shurgot,
Georgia Smith, Morgan Stewart, Ashley Tittle,
Alexis Trivisonno, Traci Verardo-Torres
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION
50 Francisco Street, Suite 110
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 262-4400 or 1 (800) 963-7275
[email protected]
CSPF SACRAMENTO
1510 J Street, Suite 220
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-2119
CSPF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
448 South Hill Street, Suite 601
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 542-2450
Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled elemental processed
chlorine-free paper using soy ink. By using this recycled paper we
are saving 46 trees, 32,680,800 BTU’s of energy, 4,270 pounds net
greenhouse gasses, 19,599 gallons of wastewater flow, 2,168 pounds
of solid waste, and 133 pounds of water-bourne waste.
16
Mount Diablo State Park ©Mike Ryan