State Capitol, Sacramento - April 7, 2003

The first Annual Park Advocacy Day was organized by The California State Parks Foundation (CSPF), and supported by The California League of Park Associations, and six individual member Associations; CA State Park Rangers Assn., CA State Lifeguards Assn., CA State Supervisory Peace Officers Assn., Park Rangers Assn. of CA, State Park Peace Offices Assn. of CA; CA Police Activities League and others. The event brought out over 125 participants who met with 55 legislators.

CALPA was very well represented. I saw people from the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation; the Mt. Tamalpais Interpretive Association, a busload of Friends of Santa Cruz State Park, a large contingent from Angel Island Association; Mendocino Area Parks Assn., Alliance to Rescue Crystal Cove, Sacramento Historic Sites Assn., Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Assn.; Pine Ridge Assn., Pt. Lobos Natural History Assn., Central Coast Natural History Assn., Stewards of Slavianka; and Malibu Lagoon Museum.

The day began at 9:00 AM at the Resources Building Auditorium with an introductory session with Acting Director Ruth Coleman, Susan Smart, President of CA State Parks Foundation and others. From about 9:30 AM until 4:30 PM, we went in groups of five or six to visit legislators from our districts and/or from other districts in the State. Most of us visited five legislators. We presented them with a CA State Parks Official Map, a brochure entitled “Protecting California’s State Parks”, produced by CSPF, and a graph showing the percentage of increases in acreage, attendance, rangers/lifeguards, arrests and state population for CA State Parks from 1981 to 2002. In most cases, we met with a legislative aide rather than the legislator.

Our message was a plea to follow the Governor’s recommended budget and not cut funding to State Parks any more than this. The response was not encouraging. We know that all budgets will be cut, and it looks like State Parks will have fees raised and funding cut.

At Noon, there was a rally on the Capitol steps with speakers and music. Saw Donna Pozzi there, and met up with John Mott,( in a business suit and tie) who had taken the day off work to lobby as a private citizen. The day ended with a reception from 4:30 – 6:30 PM. State Senator Sheila Kuehl was the recipient of the California State Park Foundation 2003 Legacy Award , which recognizes a legislator who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the protection and enhancement of California’s 274 State Parks.

In summary, I do feel that it is necessary to let our legislators know how we feel about our State Parks and to do everything we can to maintain funding for Park programs. I am guessing that CSPF will make this an annual event, and I would definitely participate again.

CALPA really turned out for Advocacy Day. It was great to see so many familiar faces. We should be proud of CALPA and its member Associations.