Celebrating Impact: Announcing the 2025 California State Parks Foundation Partner Awards

At California State Parks Foundation, we believe that meaningful partnerships are the roots of lasting change. This year, we are proud to announce the inaugural “Partners in Parks Awards,” recognizing partners whose dedication, innovation, and generosity have helped protect and preserve California’s state parks, for the benefit of all. These awards are more than just acknowledgments — they are a celebration of the transformative conservation and stewardship work we accomplish when we come together.

Each award honors a unique aspect of protecting our parklands. From climate action, park access, and trail restoration to conservation and volunteerism, these partners exemplify what it means to be champions for California’s state parks.

Trailblazer Award: Sunday

“Honoring future-forward initiatives in parks or trail restoration and management.”

This year’s Trailblazer Award goes to Sunday, whose focused support of wildfire resilience through forest management at Big Basin Redwoods State Park has shown what’s possible through strategic impact. Sunday approached their partnership with intention, exploring multiple avenues before committing to a project that would deliver long-term benefits to one of California’s most iconic parks.

The 35-acre pilot project at Lodge Road was a prioritized recommendation from California State Parks for the removal of small trees to decrease forest density, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and increase stable carbon storage. By supporting this initiative, Sunday helped advance critical objectives such as reducing wildfire risk, preserving old-growth redwoods, enhancing biodiversity, and increasing climate resilience. Their thoughtful engagement and commitment to impactful park conservation solutions have positioned Big Basin as a model for future forest management efforts across California’s state parks.

Green Guardian Award: PG&E Corporation Foundation

“Honoring park protection through Earth Day Climate Action or other climate-focused support.”

The PG&E Corporation Foundation is the recipient of this year’s Green Guardian Award for their unwavering commitment to climate action and environmental stewardship through Earth Day volunteerism. In 2025 alone, PG&E mobilized 117 volunteers, contributing 468 hours of service across seven California state parks, including Angel Island, Half Moon Bay, and Montaña de Oro state parks.

Their Earth Day sponsorship and hands-on involvement demonstrate the power of partnership in driving conservation and volunteer impact. PG&E’s volunteers not only helped restore habitats and clean up beaches — they also inspired others to take action. Their years of consistent presence and passion make them a cornerstone of our Earth Day efforts and a true guardian of California’s parklands.

Blue Shield Volunteers at Folsom Post Labor Day Event

Service Grove Award: Blue Shield of California

“Recognizing deep-rooted dedication to stewardship in California state parks.”

The Service Grove Award honors those who show up — rain or shine, wind or lightning — and this year, Blue Shield of California volunteers went the extra mile. Blue Shield participated in multiple workdays throughout the year, but a post-Labor Day cleanup at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area exemplified their spirit for volunteerism. A team of Blue Shield volunteers braved high winds and kept an eye on distant lightning to collect 20 bags of trash and restore the park.

Blue Shield’s year-round volunteerism reflects a culture of care and commitment. As part of the nonprofit health plan's commitment to supporting health through environmental action, their teams consistently roll up their sleeves to support park maintenance, habitat restoration, and trash pickup. It’s this kind of dedication that keeps our parks thriving and accessible for all.

Open Space Award: Boeing

“Recognizing a partner who help make parks more inviting and inclusive.”

This year’s Open Space Award honors Boeing for its support of California State Parks Week (CSPW) and the California State Library Parks and the California State Adventure park pass programs, which provide free access to state parks at libraries across California, and for fourth graders and their families.

Boeing’s focus on programming that increases park access and outdoor equity — especially for underserved communities — aligns perfectly with our goal to make state parks welcoming and inclusive for everyone. Their support helps break down barriers to outdoor experiences, fostering a lifelong connection to nature for Californians.

California Bloom Award: Niagara Cares

“Celebrating growth and sustained impact in California state parks.”

As a first-year partner, Niagara Cares brought fresh energy and a deep commitment to community engagement and park stewardship, earning them the California Bloom Award. Their presenting sponsorship of the fourth annual California State Parks Week (CSPW) helped elevate the program to new heights — supporting 174 events across 82 parks and creating meaningful experiences for more than 12,500 visitors from Humboldt Lagoons to the Tijuana Estuary.

Beyond CSPW, Niagara Cares quickly became a vital contributor to our Park Stewardship program, showing up with enthusiasm and a collaborative spirit. Their support has helped expand volunteer opportunities, strengthen park programming, and deepen our connection with local communities.

Looking Ahead: Building a Resilient Future for California’s State Parks

These awards reflect the shared values and collective action that drive our mission forward. Each partner has played a vital role in protecting California’s state parks, enhancing park access, inspiring volunteerism, and advancing climate resilience.

As we celebrate these great partners, we also look to the future. With their continued support — and the dedication of our broader community — we can ensure that California’s state parks remain vibrant, resilient, and inclusive for generations to come.