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L-R Elizabeth Goldstein, 2009 Legacy Award Winner Senator Lois Wolk, and 2008 Legacy Award Winner Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter
L-R 2008 Legacy Award Recipient Senator Christine Kehoe and 2009 recipient State Treasurer Bill Lockyer
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Park Advocacy Day 2009. A Huge Success!
The halls of the state Capitol were filled with state park advocates on Monday, March 23, for the Seventh Annual Park Advocacy Day! Hailing from all corners of the state, and representing hundreds of the state's cherished parks, 145 advocates met directly with 118 legislators' offices to lobby for support for state parks protection and funding.
During a noontime rally, Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego) and Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) energized the crowd about the need to protect and treasure our state parks.
After more lobby visits, an afternoon panel with policy and budget committee leaders provided Park Advocacy Day attendees with insight into the state's budget picture and policy issues facing state parks. Senator Denise Ducheny, (D-San Diego), Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, described the state's current fiscal crisis and its ramifications on state park funding and access. Assemblymember Ira Ruskin (D-Redwood City), Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Resources, shared the results of a previous hearing he held that was focused on the impacts of the state's bond freeze to conservation and parks projects. Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-Marin), Chair of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, outlined his vision for the protection and long-term preservation of the state park system. Moderated by former Assemblymember John Laird, the panel was a great opportunity for Park Advocacy Day advocates to hear, first-hand, from the top legislative leaders about current issues facing state parks, and receive advice about how park advocates can most effectively influence decisions by lawmakers.
After such a busy but productive day, CSPF capped Park Advocacy Day with the annual Legacy Award Reception. During the evening reception, CSPF honored State Treasurer Bill Lockyer and Senator Lois Wolk (D-Linden) as 2009 Legacy Award recipients.
The lobbying efforts during Park Advocacy Day 2009 are already starting to have results. Our collective efforts raised legislative awareness and interest on the impacts of the bond freeze to park projects and to nonprofits doing environmental projects throughout the state. As a result, the Department of Finance recently confirmed that any organization that is able to temporarily continue work on bond-funded projects with non-state funding should expect full repayment by the state. Additionally, discussions are currently taking place to allow interest to be paid on loans that nonprofits may have to take out to move projects forward. While these seem small steps, these are important milestones in keeping work moving in our state parks and throughout the state.
Once again, park advocates made a difference, and made a lasting impression on the legislators and staff they met with during the day. The success of Park Advocacy Day is also due to the generous support of this year’s sponsors. Thank you to everyone who participated and devoted their day to helping protect our state parks, and we’ll see you next year!
See pictures from the day here.
The Advocates
Sponsor List
We gratefully acknowledge our sponsors who help to make Park Advocacy Day and our 2009 Legacy Awards Reception possible.
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