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 A Word From Our President
I'm just back from our Inaugural Hidden Stories conference 100 Years Since Allensworth: Is California Living Up to the Legacy? It was a fantastic conference and an amazing experience for me, for CSPF and hopefully for all of the conference sponsors and participants. We hope this is the first of many Hidden Stories conferences and if Monday's experience is any indication we're off to a very solid start. For details read Sara Feldman's article below.
Spring has sprung, summer is right around the corner, so Happy Camping!
I’ll check in with you next month.
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| (L-R) Elizabeth Goldstein, Ruth Coleman, Willie L. Brown, Susan Anderson, Don Robinson, Sara Feldman. |
Inaugural Hidden Stories Conference a Resounding Success!
Nearly 100 people excitedly filled the room at USC's Doheny Library on May 4th to listen to panelists make presentations on African-American history at CSPF's inaugural Hidden Stories Conference: 100 Years Since Allensworth: Is California Living Up to the Legacy? The enthusiasm of the conference participants was palpable as the program got underway. Panelists who were experts in their field shared fascinating stories about African-American Gold Rush miners, surfers, hotel owners, explorers, hunters and entrepreneurs, as well as larger stories about recognition, heritage and interpretation of African-American history in California's parks and beyond.
The conference was generously sponsored by Sempra Energy, with additional support from Nestle, Northrop Grumman, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Lunch was a real treat, with words from Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and the incomparable Willie L. Brown. Afternoon break-out groups were very productive, with many creative and intriguing ideas emerging from the facilitated sessions. The conference was closed by a candid and engaging speech from Director of California State Parks, Ruth Coleman.
After such a fruitful day, a celebration was called for, and one was definitely had, at the beautiful new visitors center at Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. Conference participants, as well as many community members, mingled and enjoyed good food and drink while watching the sun set over an incredible panoramic view of Los Angeles. The reception was hosted by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who entertained the crowd with astute comments and observations. A good time was had by all.
CSPF will be gathering all of the information and feedback from the conference and will begin working with an activist core to create programs and projects that will move this important issue forward in interesting new ways. Stay tuned for more!
 2009 Earth Day in 29 State Parks
The 12th Annual Earth Day in California's state parks was a fantastic event! Approximately 4,300 volunteers participated in activities at 29 sites throughout California. About 3,300 native trees and plants were planted, and many tons of non-native plants removed. Some 16 miles of trails were restored, and over 950 bags of trash and nearly 130 bags of recycling were collected.
Once again sponsors for the event were fantastic. PG&E was the Presenting Sponsor for numerous sites across central and northern California. But many others donated valuable support, funds, and in-kind contributions, including Edison, Chevron, Oracle, Albertsons, Earthgrains, Coca Cola, Stater Bros and Virgin America. This 12th Annual Earth Day event was a lot of fun and we appreciate everyone's support and enthusiasm for this one-of-a-kind event. See you next year!
 Personalized Picnic Table Program
With an ever-increasing number of visitors each year, California's State Parks need hundreds of picnic tables. Personalizing and placing a picnic table is a wonderful way to remember a loved one or something special like a child or grandchild's birth. Or, as Rodrigo and Rebecca Santamarina did (in photo) at Tomales Bay State Park, to celebrate their marriage! For a tax-deductible gift of $1,500 you can donate a personalized redwood picnic table to one of our state parks. CSPF works with the Sonoma County Probation Camp (SCPC) to produce the tables. SCPC has been making State Parks products for more than 25 years. Established in 1955, the SCPC is a short-term correctional and vocational treatment facility for 16 to 18 year old males.
By participating in the Personalized Park Table Program, you will help three worthy entities: California State Parks, the SCPC, and CSPF! For more information, please contact Bonnie Davis (415) 262-4409 or bonnie@calparks.org
 Park Protection Bills Clear Senate Committee
On April 28, two of CSPF's priority bills passed out of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. Senate Bill (SB) 372 by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), and SB 679 by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Linden), both advanced from committee and contain strong protections for our state park system. SB 679, sponsored by CSPF, reinforces the statewide significance of our state park system by ensuring that lands used as state parks cannot be used for non-park purposes without an act of the Legislature and the provision of substitute lands of equal environmental and fair market value.
While it is undesirable for state parks to be used for non-park purposes, SB 679 ensures that the state's investment in providing recreational resources and protecting natural resources is maintained even if that circumstance arises. SB 372 requires that alterations or modifications that are inconsistent with state parks be enacted only upon an act of the Legislature, preceded by a recommendation from the state Park and Recreation Commission. SB 372 is modeled on existing state law that requires review and legislative action prior to alteration of other conservation lands. Both bills gained majority support in the first policy committee and will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee later this month. For more information, or to stay updated on the progress of these bills, visit CSPF's Action Center or contact CSPF's Sacramento office at 916-442-2119 or advocacy@calparks.org
 2010 State Parks Calendar Photo Contest
CSPF's free statewide photo contest will produce another California State Parks Calendar this year (for 2010). All images submitted between January 1, 2009 and June 19 will be considered, so keep the fantastic photographs coming! Please note that we are especially interested in any images you have—or want to take—of people in California's amazing state parks.
 Save San Onofre Coalition Wins Award
Environment Now—a Southern California private nonprofit foundation—recently awarded the Save San Onofre Coalition one of its Annual Top 5 Achievements of the Environmental Community Awards for its successful campaign to stop the toll road through the park. CSPF—a proud member of the coalition—is mentioned in the online report produced by Environment Now.
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