State parks are the backdrop for many outdoor restoration efforts in California — from Rio de Los Angeles State Park to Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook to San Bruno Mountain State Park. These are treasured public lands that see heavy use, diverse communities, and constant ecological pressures.  

Local restoration projects bring new capacity and creativity to state parks, working hand-in-hand with interpreters, engagement coordinators, and partner nonprofits. Far from competing with state agencies, these community-led efforts complement park staff, extend stewardship deeper into neighborhoods, and create new entry points for Californians to experience nature. 

That’s the spirit behind Metrics from the Field: A Workbook for Local Land Stewards — created by Test Plot with support from California State Parks Foundation through a Partnership Equity Grant. 

Considering the financial landscape of state parks, California State Parks Foundation was eager to support this guide because grassroots restoration efforts need a stronger voice — and practical tools — to demonstrate its value. By funding Metrics from the Field, California State Parks Foundation supported the creation of a resource that benefits not just Test Plot, but any group working in and around state parks. 

As the Test Plot team shared,  

“Support from the California State Parks Foundation allowed us to take a deep dive into what makes community-based restoration meaningful — and why it’s essential to understand the value of local work from ecological, social, and economic perspectives. We’re proud to be part of a growing shift in restoration: one that democratizes ecological care by expanding where, how, and who participates.” 

Holistic Metrics for Healthier Parks and Communities 

This fun and beautifully designed workbook includes a toolkit created by Test Plot to help local groups measure and share their impact — a win-win for both parks and the people who care for them. The workbook highlights 10 key metrics: 

• Area of Invasive Species 
• Keystone Species
• Weedy Natives (plant MVPs - restoration projects often rely on resilient, weedy natives that adapt easily to varied conditions.)
• Soil Health
• Social Networks (“web of care” - at its core, restoration is about relationships. Small scale projects spark connections, build trust, and bring people together.)
• Low Barriers to Entry
• Overcoming “Plant Blindness” - local restoration projects help the public see and appreciate what healthy native habitats actually look like.
• Dollar Impact 
• Fire-Resilient Features
• Regeneration  

These metrics recognize that success isn’t just about what grows on the land, it is also about who’s involved, how communities benefit, and how public lands become more resilient over time. Additionally, these worksheets are about storytelling and making a case that resonates with everyone from policymakers to funders to neighbors. Test Plot wants to push back against red tape and make land care easier and more accessible. 

Lessons for Communities Working with Parks 

California State Parks Foundation’s Partnership Equity Grants were created to help build bridges with communities and their state parks. Key lessons learned by supporting Test Plot’s workbook include:  

• Seeing local projects as allies. Small-scale efforts complement park priorities and bring in new hands, ideas, and perspectives.
• Making participation welcoming. Lowering barriers grows the next generation of stewards.
• Measuring holistically. Metrics that blend ecology, community, and economics help parks and partners tell a stronger story.
• Continuing to build partnerships. Success comes when agencies, nonprofits, and neighbors work together. 

California’s state parks are under pressure from climate change, inadequate funding, and increasing demand. But together, state agencies, foundations, and communities can meet these challenges. Metrics from the Field offers a roadmap for how public lands and the public themselves can care for our parks.  

By supporting this work, California State Parks Foundation is helping ensure that restoration is not just about returning land to its past, but about cultivating inclusive, resilient futures — where California state parks remain vibrant and welcoming for generations to come. 

Get Involved 

Whether you’re a park visitor, volunteer, or part of a local group, you can join this movement! Download Metrics from the Field, talk to your local park staff, and donate to support this type of work! Together, we can continue to make California State Parks a model for community-powered stewardship.