Tips and Tricks to become an advocate for California’s state parks | Cal Parks
Published: May 5, 2023

California's state parks are some of the most beautiful, cherished, and diverse sets of parklands in the country. From the great desert plains of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, up the rugged coastlines of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and to the towering redwoods of Humboldt Redwoods State Park, they are places of refuge, recreation, and education for everyone in California.  

However, maintaining and protecting these precious resources is no small task. They would not be here without the tireless advocacy of park lovers throughout California's history and the continued efforts of all of us to ensure they are adequately funded and preserved. 

As state parks face a range of ongoing threats, such as underfunding and climate change, getting involved and defending state parks is more important than ever. We've compiled ways to contact your legislator and advocate on behalf of the California state parks we all love.  

5 ways to reach out to your legislator


 

Sign a petition or action alert

Click here to sign up to receive the latest action alerts and petitions from California State Parks Foundation. You can also follow us on social media at @calparks on Instagram and Twitter, and California State Parks Foundation on Facebook see for up-to-date information on actions and petitions.  
 

Tag them on social media

Social media handles of elected officials are usually available on their website or by simply typing in their name on the search bar of Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 
 

Call them

Office numbers will be readily available on their legislative websites. 
 

Email them

Just like office numbers, emails will be available on their websites. 
 

Set up a legislative meeting

To set up a meeting you can call, email, or fill out a form on your legislator’s website. Be sure to specify that you live in their district and that you need about 20 minutes for the meeting to talk about parks and open space. 
 

How to advocate for California state parks 


 

There are many ways to advocate for your state parks when you email, call, or meet with a legislator or other elected official. Here are a few tips on how to advocate for parks if you find yourself in a meeting with a lawmaker or elected official.  
 

Share your park story

Why do you love parks? Tell your legislator about the first time you came to a park, your memories of hiking, kayaking, or just admiring the beauty of a park. These stories go a long way in showing importance to elected officials. 
 

Share which parks you have visited, especially in their legislative district

This can establish you as someone who deeply cares about parks in California and reinforces that the parks in their district are their responsibility. 
 

Share the benefits you get from parks

Why do you go to parks? Exercise? Family outings? Stress relief? Maybe a bit of all three. This will show your legislator why you need well-funded parks in your community. 
 

Share what you would like the future of California state parks to look like

What is your hope for the future of California state parks? Legislators are tasked with approving budgets, and you can appeal to your legislators by telling them what you would like to see improved or maintained at state parks in your community. 

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California's state parks are priceless resources we must protect and preserve. By just taking these small steps, you can have a huge impact to ensure that these natural wonders remain open, accessible, and healthy for years to come. Together, let’s make a real difference and ensure these treasures are around for future generations to enjoy. 

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