Governor Jerry Brown announced his Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget proposal on Monday. Overall the budget is intended to balance the budget quickly, assuming that voters can be persuaded to support a continuation of existing taxes for another five years.
The proposal cuts $11 million from the 2011-12 state parks budget. However, the budget indicates that $7 million of previously cut General Fund dollars will be restored to the department. This works out to be a net change from the current fiscal year of only $4 million. That sounds great given the alternatives, until you look at the out-year expectation. That is for a permanent bottom line reduction to the General Fund of $22 million over the next two fiscal years.
Just to put this in perspective, in the 2008 budget proposal, Governor Schwarzenegger posited a permanent $13 million cut which would have resulted in 48 park closures. Then in May, 2009 he proposed eliminating $70 million of General Fund resulting in 220 park closures, or 80 percent of the state park system. Ultimately, the department took a $12 million cut, on a temporary basis, which resulted in 60 partial park closures, and 90 other parks with deep service reductions. Those cuts are still in effect today.
Governor Brown’s budget proposal laid out criteria for these cuts that would focus them on parks that have low attendance and low revenues, as well as a few other factors. It is unclear where the impacts will be the greatest. We will be working with the Legislature to eliminate, or at least minimize, these cuts. We will also be working with the new administration and the department to find ways to mitigate these cuts through partnerships, should they be passed. We will keep you posted as we learn more.
Despite this unsettling news, we wish all of you a happy New Year. We are obviously in for some hard months ahead. However, we are grateful for all your support for CSPF and our collective fight to protect state parks.
Golden Poppy Gala in San Francisco Next Weekend
Please join us next Saturday, January 22, for the 2011 Golden Poppy Award Gala – An Evening in the State Parks, our most important fundraiser of the year. The celebration will take place in the Hearst Pavilion at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, where we will honor The National Park Service, Stater Bros. Markets and Coca-Cola Refreshments as extraordinary partners to state parks. Tickets are available online.
Guests will be treated to a scrumptious cocktail buffet, petite entrées and hors d'oeuvres by McCalls as they walk through the majesty of California's state parks. There will be both a live and silent auction with amazing items such as a trip to the Galápagos Islands, Oakland Raiders’ memorabilia signed by Hall of Famers, a swim party for ten at Hearst Castle, and many fine wines. We encourage you to participate in this special event to benefit CSPF and all the work we do.
New CalParks iPhone App Released
We are proud to announce the launch of ‘CalParks,’ our new iPhone app. This FREE app allows you to take trail guide information with you while you explore state parks and beaches across CA. You can also upload your own trips, discuss your favorite park adventures, and see tons of photos. Go to the App Store or iTunes to download the CalParks app and start exploring! A huge thank you to our development partner EveryTrail for creating this awesome app.
Register Today For Park Advocacy Day 2011
Are you looking for a unique way to show your support for state parks? Join CSPF and park supporters from throughout California at our 9th Annual Park Advocacy Day on Tuesday, March 22 in Sacramento. This is a great opportunity to lobby lawmakers for the protection and funding of California’s 278 state parks.
During Park Advocacy Day, participants will meet with policymakers to send a powerful message about the benefits and importance of state parks. This is going to be another tough year for state parks, and your participation will help stress the importance of keeping California’s state parks open, well-maintained and protected.
There is no cost to participate, but registration before February 12 is required.
Please visit our websitefor detailed information about Park Advocacy Day and registration.
Candlestick Volunteer Day a Success
Our first Park Champions Volunteer Work Day on Saturday, December 11 was a great success. In just four short hours, volunteers came together to complete two much-needed projects led by Project Planner Cathy Moyer. To register for upcoming volunteer opportunities near you, please visit the Park Champions page.
The first project was the repair of major flood damage around the park office. We created a drainage trench around the main office so flooring could be replaced. The other project was tree trimming around a popular visitor parking lot to increase safety and visibility for park users. Over twelve truckloads of limbs were hauled away, creating a beautiful sightline and new aesthetic. Park Ranger Ann Meneguzzi and Facility Manager Ernie Moises were very pleased with the improvements.
Following their hard work, volunteers gathered for a little social time and some great pizza from Goat Hill Pizza. New friends were made and satisfaction for a job well done was enjoyed by all! We’ll be looking forward to the next volunteer day, coming soon! To register for upcoming volunteer opportunities near you, please visit the Park Champions page.
CSPF would like to extend a warm thank you to IGN for its generous year-end donation. IGN is a multimedia news and reviews website that focuses heavily on video games. What is the connection between gamers and state parks?
The entire staff at the local IGN office got to choose one lucky organization to make a year-end donation to. When the votes came in, CSPF won hands down. They not only loved our website but they truly believe our work on behalf of California’s amazing state parks is important and creative in its own right. Plus, those innovative minds at IGN find it crucial to get out to state parks in order to recharge the creative juices!
CSPF was thrilled to hear from IGN’s Paula Thomas that the employees chose to support the work we do to preserve, protect, enhance and advocate for our state parks. This unique gift is a great reminder that gifts of all kinds are welcome—from individuals, businesses, corporations, and through direct cash contributions to stock transfers, to bequests and gifts of property, and more. Contact Davida Hartman to find out more about how you can donate to CSPF.
Congratulations to Reforest California
Congratulations to Reforest California for receiving the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation’s inaugural “Bright Ideas” award for the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Reforestation project. The Bright Ideas program recognizes creative government initiatives around the country. The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation is at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
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Photo of the Month - December
Congratulations to Steven Castro for his great capture of “Natural Bridges” at Natural Bridges State Beach (click here to see a larger version of Steven’s photograph). His photo was chosen as the Photo of the Month for December.
Photo of the Year 2010
Congratulations to Rob Dweck for his stunning “Ridgecrest Road” photo at Mount Tamalpais State Park (click here to see a larger version of Rob’s photograph). His image was chosen as the Photo of the Year for 2010!
Remember, anyone can join the photo contest—it is free, fun, and a great way to share your love of our state parks.
