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 A Word From Our President
The New Year is starting out with a bang, including many challenges. The new State Budget announced by the Governor yesterday includes devastating closures to 48 parks across California. In case this was not enough, the budget proposal also includes 50 percent lifeguard reductions in 16 state beaches in San Diego, Orange and Santa Cruz counties. These lifeguard cuts seem particularly terrible since they will put swimmers at risk. The list of parks slated for closures and those tagged for lifeguard reductions are on our website, as well as a statement from CSPF. Please take a look for a park near you because there is one, I am sorry to say. All of this pain saves $8.9 million dollars. That is enough money to close 17 percent of the State Park system but not enough to solve the State's budget woes.
CSPF is committed to doing everything within our power to turn this around. We will be calling on you to join us. Because if it isn't us, then who?!
Amidst these budgetary woes and park threats, we are excited to announce the first CSPF Photo Contest and the launch of our CSPF Podcast Series highlighting our state parks. Please participate in the contest, enjoy the podcast, and spread the word!
CSPF Photo Contest and Gallery
 The CSPF web-based Photo Contest will help generate interest in state parks while celebrating their diversity and beauty. Photos must be taken in a California State Park, in one of thirteen categories. We already have over 100 high quality images displayed on our website with more being added daily! There will be a monthly winner, and an overall winner chosen at the end of the year (to be announced in January 2009). To find out more about the contest, and how you can participate, visit the contest website
CSPF Podcast Series
 We also launched the first episode of our CSPF Podcast Series on January 1 with a seven minute episode on Colonel Allensworth SHP. Throughout the year we will post a new episode on a different park the first of each month. On February 1, for example, we'll feature a piece on Marshall Gold Discovery SHP to be followed in March by an episode on Año Nuevo SR (in anticipation of Año's new Marine Education Center opening in April). All of these episodes will be posted on our website as well as on iTunes and an assortment of other podcast sites. You can either listen at your computer or download it to a MP3 player. It's real simple—just click and listen.
 Governor's Budget Shuts Down State Parks, Dumps Lifeguards
Yesterday, the Governor released his proposal for the State's fiscal year 08-09 budget. Chief among his solutions for addressing the State's budget problems is a draconian and drastic proposal to shut down 48 state parks and to reduce lifeguard staffing at 16 state beaches in Santa Cruz, Orange and San Diego Counties. The 48 parks proposed for closure span the state and include 17 state parks, 17 state historic parks and museums, 3 state beaches, 9 state recreation areas and 2 state reserves. CSPF has developed a list of the parks slated for closure and staffing reductions that can be viewed here. This action would have the affect of closing 17 percent of the state park system and leaving California beachgoers on their own during popular summer seasons. And for all of that pain, the state gains very minimal revenue savings – about $9 million – since state parks are so woefully underfunded already.
This proposal will have real and immediate consequences for millions of Californians who rely on our state parks for recreation, fitness, education, and simply connecting with nature and the outdoors. It will mean a decline in the management of important natural, cultural and historic resources that are part of California's history and the fabric of our state. And it will mean that our world-class state beaches will become less safe and less protected during peak seasons.
The Governor's proposal is simply unacceptable, and CSPF is gearing up to fight all park closures and return lifeguards to our state beaches. In the coming weeks and month, CSPF will be mobilizing thousands of Californians to fight these proposals and ensure that the Legislature summarily rejects the Governor's budget. We'll need YOUR help to speak up for our state parks and the millions of Californians who will be shut out of visiting these state treasures. As a first step, we have established a new web page in our Action Center with information specific to the budget proposals. Please be sure to visit that page often, as we'll be updating it as changes occur in the budget negotiation process. Now, more than ever, state park advocates need to make their voices heard – we're counting on you!
 Park Advocacy Day 2008 – Open Registration & Date Change!
Given the budget picture, the presence of a strong contingent of park advocates on Park Advocacy Day is needed now more than ever. Please join us for our sixth annual Park Advocacy Day. Please note the date of the event has been changed to MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008. As a Park Advocacy Day participant, you will meet with policymakers to advocate for the protection and funding for our state parks. Click here for more information and to register.
CSPF Grants $50,000 to Rotary Club Foundation towards Carpinteria State Beach Interpretive Playground
The Carpinteria State Beach interpretive playground is a step closer to completion thanks to a $50,000 grant given to the Morning Rotary Club of Carpinteria Charitable Foundation from CSPF at a ceremony on December 20th. The grant was made possible through the generous support of the Lenora G. Johnson estate. Lenora treasured Carpinteria State Beach. She and her late husband were frequent visitors there to camp, picnic and relax.
The interpretive playground seeks to exceed the traditional concept of a playground by incorporating native Chumash Indian tribal history as an educational element. According to Rich Rojas, State Parks' Channel Coast Superintendent, the playground will have a Chumash Play Area that will include, among many other features, a village with climbing structures in the shape of houses, a plank canoe, a sculptural story tree with swings, and a small amphitheater with asphalt cliff walls. There will also be a bridge from the mainland to an island knoll where kids can act out the Chumash legend of the Rainbow Bridge. The project site is on the recently acquired Union Pacific Railroad parcel adjacent to Linden Field at the state beach.
Spearheaded by Wade Nomura of the Rotary Club, Matt Roberts of the City of Carpinteria, and Rich Rojas, the interpretive playground upholds both CSPF's and California State Parks' mission of enhancing state parks.
Pigeon Point Light Station receives $100,000 grant
We received good news early in 2008 with the award of a $100,000 grant from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation toward the restoration of Pescadero's landmark Pigeon Point Light Station, a California State Historic Park. In December 2001, sections of the Light Station's Tower broke off, forcing temporary suspension of public tours. The grant will be used to help fund important preliminary planning and stabilization efforts. | 
