This year California State Parks Foundation will host Park Advocacy Day on Tuesday, May 17 from 8:30am to 4:00pm. We will begin the day at the Capitol Event Center at the MAY Building, entrance address is 1020 11th St. between J St and K St. We will spend the morning at the May building and then head over to the California State Capitol (about .5 miles away) for lunch, an expo in Capitol park, legislative appointments, and a closing rally. We are taking COVID-19 safety precautions throughout the event to ensure attendees and staff can participate safely. For details on the day, please see agenda below. If you have any questions, please contact advocacy@calparks.org. We hope to see you there. 

Agenda 

8:30am to 9:00am: Event Check In 

Check-in begins at 8:30am and we will serve a continental breakfast as attendees arrive.  

9:15am to 9:45am: Welcome Speakers  

During this session, California State Parks Foundation’s Executive Director Rachel Norton, as well as a member of the legislature and possibly other guest speakers will welcome participants to the Capitol. We will cover the agenda for the day and any additional important information.  

9:45am to 10:30am:  California’s Political Landscape Panel 

During this panel discussion, Environmental & Energy Consulting, a lobbying and consulting firm specializing in environmental advocacy, and guests from the California legislature, will provide an update on what legislators are talking about, what issues are favored, and more. 

10:30am – 10:45am: An Overview of Legislative and Budget Priorities 

California State Parks Foundation staff and Environmental & Energy Consulting will cover priority legislation and budget items.  

10:45am to 11:45am: Advocacy Workshop  

This session will prepare attendees to be effective advocates. We will review best practices, tips, tricks, and storytelling for communicating with legislators.  

12:00pm to 3:00pm: Lunch/Expo/Legislative Appointments 

Lunch: Attendees will receive a boxed lunch and tables will be set up in Capitol Park. 

Expo: This gathering will bring parks to life, allowing visitors to interact with and learn more about the value of California state parks. Booths will highlight different park partners and ways to get involved.  

Legislative Appointments: Attendees will meet with legislators and staff to discuss priority legislation and budget items that are important to California state parks. Due to COVID-19, meetings may be in person in the Capitol building, outside on the Capitol lawn, or via Zoom. We will continue to update attendees on the status. 

3:00pm to 4:00pm: Rally: Rise up for Parks 

We will close the day with exciting speakers, an award ceremony, and raffle prizes.