Years of state budget shortfalls have left our parks with eroding trails, substandard restrooms, historic buildings in disrepair, and other problems. But with your support, we can fund park improvement projects today while we advocate for sustainable funding for the long term.

And here's good news! Join the campaign with a donation by December 31, and your gift will be matched!

California’s state parks system is a treasure of natural and cultural wonders. But years of state budget shortfalls have resulted in more than a $1 billion backlog of maintenance projects and understaffed facilities. And as any park visitor knows, that means reduced hours, eroding trails, substandard bathrooms, deteriorating buildings and other problems.

At the same time, the state's Parks Forward Commission has established a long-term goal of making sure that all Californians, and especially families from underserved urban communities, have ready access to parks and the benefits they provide.

But park maintenance can't wait, and the time to connect people to parks is now.

That's why we launched the State Parks Improvement Campaign. And thanks to park supporters like you, we're funding innovative projects that are making a difference for parks today, while we advocate in Sacramento for sustainable funding solutions for the long term.

YOUR CAMPAIGN GIFT WILL BE DOUBLED

To keep the work going in the coming year, we need to raise $400,000 by December 31 — and you can help by making a contribution to the campaign.

And right now, you have an opportunity to double the power of your gift.

The CSPF Board of Trustees has stepped up with a pledge to match all gifts to the campaign dollar for dollar, up to $200,000. That means any amount you donate to improve our state parks system will make twice the impact.

STATE PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS UPDATE

Thanks to our generous community of members and supporters, we're already working to improve state parks through our Park Champions volunteers, major restoration and development projects, legislative advocacy efforts, and our grants program.

Here are just a few examples of CSPF grant projects that were recently completed or are currently underway — and with your campaign donation, you'll help improve more state parks like this in 2016:

• Mendocino Area Parks Association — $30,000 for much needed bathroom improvements, bridge replacement, and construction of a site for the camp host.
• Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association — $4,950 for park improvements and fence restoration.
• Clockshop — $7,500 for park fieldtrips for high school students in Los Angeles. The Bowtie Project's fieldtrips offer underserved urban youth a hands-on learning experience that integrates environmental education with engaging art projects.
• Valley of the Moon Natural History Association — $30,000 to modernize displays with new interactive technologies and develop improved park signage.
• Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association — $5,000 for the Needle Rock Visitor Center restroom facility upgrades.
• Elkhorn Slough Foundation— $3,500 to engage school children and community volunteers in restoring the dune habitat of snowy plovers and other nesting birds.

PRAISE FROM CSPF GRANT RECIPIENTS

"Without the continued support of CSPF, we would have been unable to move forward on many of our important projects: repairs to the visitor center, archival filming of the Bale Grist Mill, restoration of our historic cabins, and now restoration of the historic Pioneer Cemetery. Great things can be achieved when partners work together!"
Jeanne Marion – Napa Valley State Parks Association

"In the absence of state resources, the grant will provide much needed funding to assist in developing and delivering education/interpretation programs for park visitors."
Roy Stutsman – Treasurer, Benicia State Parks Association

“Going from campgrounds that were closed, we now offer a new camping reservation system, Junior Ranger programs, overnight programs for youth groups, a well-maintained campground and hiking trails, and back-country camping opportunities in a magnificent wilderness area of Sonoma County.”
Michele Luna – Executive Director, Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods