Parks California launches as newest statewide parks support organization

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 28, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today marks the launch of Parks California, a new, statewide nonprofit dedicated to supporting California's parks and public lands, with a focus on state parks. The organization will bring new resources and expertise to ensure parks remain vibrant and better serve every Californian. Parks California will work with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, California State Parks Foundation, and diverse partners on the next generation of park projects, programming, and outreach that protect natural and cultural resources and reach all communities.

Parks California will coordinate with new and existing parks partners such as government agencies, tribes, private companies, and nonprofits including the many local volunteer groups that long have helped sustain parks.

"State Parks welcomes a partnership with this new nonprofit," said Department of Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Mangat. "The resources it brings will help us protect and adapt parks to give more Californians great experiences in the places they treasure."

Established at the direction of the governor and legislature in 2015, the independent Parks Forward Commission recommended creating a new nonprofit parks support organization to complement work already taking place, fill gaps, and raise funds to support all California parks. In 2016, the legislature passed and governor authorized the Department of Parks and Recreation to work with a park support organization to secure expertise, services, resources, and projects not readily available to the state park system. Parks California will fill that role.

Parks California launches under the leadership of its board chair, Stephen H. Lockhart, MD, PhD. An avid climber and backpacker, Dr. Lockhart has a long-standing passion for the public health benefits of outdoor recreation and creating access to parks for an increasingly diverse population.

"Managing California's world-renowned natural, cultural, and historical marvels for nearly 40 million residents and millions more annual visitors takes collective work," said Dr. Lockhart. "California needs parks that meet the needs of everyone, including an increasingly diverse, urban, young, and technologically savvy population."

Also on the Parks California board of directors:

• Sharon Farrell, vice president of conservation and stewardship at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy;
• Omar Brownson, founding executive director of River LA, a nonprofit seeking to integrate design and infrastructure along all 51 miles of the Los Angeles River to bring together people, water, and nature;
• Teresa Alvarado, San Jose Director of SPUR, a 108-year-old urban policy organization that promotes good government and planning through research, education, and advocacy; and
• Belinda Faustinos, executive director of Nature for All, which works to build a diverse base of support in the Los Angeles region for ensuring equitable access to the wide range of benefits nature can provide.

"Parks California is eager to work shoulder to shoulder with government agencies, tribes, private companies, and nonprofits to ensure that California's parks bring people closer together, so we can invest in the evolving needs of all Californians today and tomorrow," said Brownson.

Parks California will attract philanthropic, corporate, and government support through fundraising and innovative financing mechanisms. The funding will help address priorities identified annually by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Parks California will support partners as they address these needs and will, as necessary, implement projects directly.

"Protecting and advocating for California's state parks ? from redwood groves to desert springs, light houses to ghost towns ? takes collective work and a strong community of many supporters," said Rachel Norton, executive director of the California State Parks Foundation, a member-supported nonprofit dedicated to a vision of a state park system that is accessible, equitable, and excellent. "We welcome this new partner and look forward to working together closely toward our shared goal: to give Californians the best parks possible."

The organization's primary focus will be on California's 280 state parks. Initial projects aim to protect these rich assets and make state parks more welcoming, accessible, and relevant to visitors. Such projects include:

• Building low-cost accommodations, such as cabins;
• Improving access to parks;
• Establishing cultural and community events;
• Protecting natural resources;
• Developing user-friendly trip planner tools; and
• Improving programs and facilities to meet diverse community needs.

"By leveraging money, partnerships and expertise, Parks California will help make sure the natural, beautiful, historic, peaceful, fun and educational places that make California remarkable stay that way for our children and grandchildren," said Faustinos.

Parks California was established as a California nonprofit public benefit corporation. Initial seed funding and staff support to launch Parks California was provided by donors including the foundations of S.D. Bechtel, Jr., David and Lucile Packard, and William and Flora Hewlett, and Resources Legacy Fund.

"We need vibrant, sustainable parks for California's public health, economy, lifestyle, and sense of place and history," said Lauren B. Dachs, President and Vice Chair of the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. "We need to innovate now to protect these assets for the long term. Parks California will help get us there."

Parks California is a statewide nonprofit working to ensure our state, regional, and local parks thrive. We work shoulder to shoulder with State Parks and other partners to help our parks better serve every Californian. We bring new resources and expertise and leverage public funding to tackle projects that make parks more welcoming, accessible, and relevant to all visitors. Learn more at parkscalifornia.org.

SOURCE Parks California