Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  February 11, 2021 15 state parks and park partners will receive grants to help restore fragile habitats and rebuild parks, while building a climate resilient state park system.   Sacramento, CA – California State Parks Foundation announced today that it has awarded $135,000 in grants to 15 parks and park partners to help parks recover from the devastating 2020 wildfires. “The 2020 California wildfires were horrifically destructive, and our beloved state parks have undergone devastating damage. There is a real need to restore fragile habitats and rebuild parks, while100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 11, 2020 On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom submitted his proposed state budget to the California Legislature. The $227 billion proposal outlines funding for essential government programs and services for fiscal year (FY) 2021-22, including support for California’s 280-unit state park system. “We are heartened to see Governor Newsom’s budget proposal recognize the essential role state parks play in the lives of Californians,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “We know that Californians overwhelmingly support their state100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2020 Yesterday, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order stating, “the well-being of our communities and California’s economic sustainability are interconnected with our natural and cultural resources.” With the growing impact of climate change threating California’s future, the Governor has directed state agencies to deploy strategies to store carbon in the state’s natural and working lands. The order also sets an ambitious goal to conserve 30 percent of the state’s land and coastal water by 2030 to fight species loss and ecosystem100

Assembly Bill 1426 provides permanent, statutory protection against any road construction affecting the state park Sacramento, CA (September 25, 2020) – Today, after nearly two decades of hard-fought advocacy to protect San Onofre State Beach permanently and statutorily, Governor Newsom made that goal a reality. Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1426 by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath (D-Encinitas), which ensures that no road infrastructure can be built that severely damages San Onofre State Beach. The Save San Onofre Coalition celebrates that bill’s passage and signing. “For two decades100

Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath’s bill Assembly Bill 1426 protects San Onofre State Beach from road construction threatening the natural, cultural and historical resources of the parkland FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2020 SACRAMENTO — Today, Assembly Bill (AB) 1426, authored by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath (D-Encinitas), has successfully passed out the state legislature. The bill passed a final vote on the Assembly floor with 47-6 in support of permanently protecting San Onofre State Beach. As one of California’s top five-most visited state parks, San Onofre State Beach100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2020 Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Armstrong Redwoods State Park are among many parks experiencing major damages from fires This past week has been a heartbreaking one in California. We’ve watched many cherished parks burn as wildfires continuously sweep through the state. Parks like Big Basin Redwoods State Park have suffered extensive damage – ancient trees, historic buildings, staff housing, and campgrounds have been destroyed by the fires. “ The California wildfires have been horrifically destructive this year, and our beloved state parks have undergone100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2020 STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT OF QUINTERO TO DIRECTOR OF THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION California State Parks Foundation congratulates Armando Quintero on his appointment to Director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation by Governor Newsom today. “Newly appointed Director Quintero has a deep background in parks and conservation, and a reputation for being a thoughtful and collaborative leader,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “He joins California State Parks at a moment of100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 6, 2020 ASSEMBLY BILL (AB) 1426 MOVES FORWARD ON PATH TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT SAN ONOFRE STATE BEACH Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath’s bill protects San Onofre State Beach from road construction threatening the natural, cultural and historical resources of the parkland SACRAMENTO — On Wednesday, Assembly Bill (AB) 1426, authored by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath (D-Encinitas), has successfully passed the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. Sponsored by California State Parks Foundation and the Save San Onofre Coalition, the bill permanently100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2020 California State Parks Foundation provides grants to 20 state parks to ensure parks are supported during the pandemic. Sacramento, CA – The impact of the COVID-19 crisis has been felt by every individual, family, community, business, and industry – California’s parklands are no exception. Today, California State Parks Foundation announces the Keeping Parks Whole grant awards totally $100,000 to support state parks and partners who need it now more than ever. Parks are incredible and proven resources of mental and physical health – places to play, grow, and100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 13, 2020 Improvements to Candlestick Point State Recreation Area include planting, infrastructure projects and completion of the Bay Trail SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.— California State Parks and California State Parks Foundation broke ground today at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. The construction work will be done by local, San Francisco Bayview-Hunters Point contractor Minerva Construction at an estimated cost of $5.2 million and a completion date of approximately eight months. The new park improvements will include the core infrastructure needed to maintain100