Parks California

As we celebrate five years of partnership with California State Parks this year, we have been reflecting on what has been achieved, thanks to the collaboration from our partners and supporters – from over a hundred nonprofit and community organizations to climate scientists to tribal leaders to equity champions to our generous funders and all of YOU! We would not be where we are today without this community.  We’re excited to announce a new report, Leading Together: A New Model for Thriving State Parks, examining Parks California’s unique statutory partnership model and providing guidance to other park systems that want to establish a similar partnership. Potrero Group—a consulting firm with expertise in public lands—put this report together to help us share what we’ve learned from our first five years with California State Parks. We believe that collaboration and partnership is the key to addressing major issues, like climate change and inequality, and we hope that our experience helps parks everywhere to thrive. Learn more about our statutory partnership model: https://lnkd.in/gkYeUrWC #ParksForEveryone #CAStateParks

Parks California leadership is expanding! 🎉 Adam Verdin joined our Board of Directors. Adam is a dedicated community leader, small business owner, professional pilot, and attorney from San Luis Obispo County. He actively contributes to his community by serving on several boards, including the San Luis Obispo County Airport Land Use Commission, Jack’s Helping Hand, 5 Cities Homeless Coalition, and the South County Chambers of Commerce. His diverse expertise and passion for civic engagement have now led him to the Parks California Board of Directors, where he will continue to advocate for the well-being and development of his local and extended communities. Photo of Adam Verdin #ParksCalifornia #ParksForEveryone

Plein air painting? Very demure. Very mindful. Jean Sanchirico of BayWood Artists enjoyed a windy spring day at Mount Diablo State Park to create this beautiful chalk pastel piece. Join us for BayWood Artists 2024 show from September 27-29 in the Bay Area. Don't miss the chance to see and purchase unique California State Parks artworks—every sale supports the important work of Parks California. Very cutesy! Artist Reception: Friday, Sept. 27, 6-8 PM Gallery Open: Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM-4 PM Marin Art and Garden Center Ross, CA #ParksForEveryone #demure #natureart #pleinairpainting

Exciting News! 🌟 We’re thrilled to announce a transition in Park California’s Board leadership. Deanna Mackey, a dedicated board member since 2021 and Vice Chair since 2022, has been elected as our new Board Chair! 🎉 Deanna takes on Board leadership from Stephen Lockhart, M.D. PhD, our founding Board Chair, who will continue to serve on our board. We’re also welcoming other new officers including Michael Mantell, new Vice Chair; Jose Gonzalez, M.S; the ongoing Treasurer, and Rosie Clayburn, new Secretary. This transition marks the next chapter in our five-year history, and we’re grateful for Dr. Lockhart’s visionary leadership and excited about the future with Deanna’s guidance. To learn more about this leadership change and what it means for Parks California, check out our full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gy4wmHXD Photos: Deanna Mackey with Parks CA staff and leadership and California State Parks partners Deanna Mackey Dr. Stephen Lockhart #ParksCalifornia #ParksForEveryone

Route to Parks grant applications are open until August 28 at 5 pm! For any questions that you may want to discuss, we are hosting one more Community Office Hour August 21 from 10 to 11 am. This is a great opportunity to ask Parks California staff about any project or grant-related questions. To sign up, please select an available time here: https://lnkd.in/g4p4DtfP. If you prefer to email, you can reach us at grants@parkscalifornia.org. DON’T FORGET! Applicants are required to discuss the proposed project with CA State Parks staff in the District where programming is proposed. These early conversations can help inform your on-site activities and resources needed. Due to the busy summer season, we recommend reaching out ASAP. See the grant timeline, FAQs, and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gyurHDSi

🌲✨ Attention Santa Cruz Community! ✨🌲 Join us on Wednesday, August 21 at 6 pm, at the Live Oak Community Center, located at the Simpkins Family Swim Center, for an important open house meeting hosted by California State Parks. This is your chance to dive into the Big Basin Facilities Management Plan—explore design alternatives, share your feedback, and help shape the future of our beloved park. Your voice matters! Can’t make it? No worries! The online surveys are open until Friday, August 23. 📝 Click here to take part: bit.ly/BBFMPrebuilding and bit.ly/BBFMPalts. Spread the word! #SantaCruz #ParksForEveryone #CaliforniaStateParks

There is still time to apply for the Route to Parks Grant Program!   The deadline is two weeks away on August 28 at 5 pm. Do you know an organization that can coordinate transportation to California State Parks? Share our Route to Parks Grant program with them. We have office hours each week, FAQs, and a resource hub. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gyurHDSi #ParksForEveryone #CAStateParks #RouteToParks

There is still time to apply for the Route to Parks Grant Program!   The deadline is two weeks away on August 28 at 5 pm. Do you know an organization that can coordinate transportation to California State Parks? Share our Route to Parks Grant program with them. We have office hours each week, FAQs, and a resource hub. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gyurHDSi #ParksForEveryone #CAStateParks #RouteToParks

Looking for new ways to experience your State Parks? Join us at these two upcoming Arts in California Parks events! @stewardsofcr Upcoming events: 📅 August 16, 2024 – @pondfarmpottery at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve The Pond Farm Pottery Artist in Residence program invites artists from historically underserved communities to live and work onsite, engaging with visitors and the community. Pond Farm Pottery’s August Artist in Residence, Laurin C. Guthrie @laurincguthrie, is a fiber artist and scholar whose work approaches craft and making as political acts. Join Laurin on Friday August 16, 2024 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm as she demonstrates how to create beautiful tapestries with foraged materials, by teaching you to create a simple loom and experiment with weaving fresh plant materials. Learn more and register at https://lnkd.in/eCvGKC2j 📅 August 24, 2024 – Storytelling & Traditional Ecological Knowledge Walk at Plumas-Eureka State Park Join Maidu educator, Dana Galloway, on a 1.5 mile walk and learn about traditional ecological knowledge! Dana is a tribal member of the Greenville and Moretown Rancheria and works toward reconnecting Maidu language and culture by utilizing art, native plants, and land stewardship. No registration is needed to participate! Please bring a notebook, water, and good walking shoes. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gk9tPGUn #CAstateparks #caartist #ArtsInParks #communityart #communityevents #communityengagement #artsincaliforniaparks

We have held an informational webinar and community office hours to help interested Route to Parks grant applicants address their questions. Perhaps you have questions about the program? If so, we’ve got you covered! We have a dedicated FAQ section in the resource hub of our website. Also, join us for an upcoming office hour! Graphics show the top five questions that have popped up during our community office hours. The deadline to apply is August 28 at 5 pm. For more information, the full FAQs, and the sign-up for office hours, visit https://lnkd.in/gyurHDSi Top 5 Qs Q: Does this grant only support transportation to and experiences at State Parks? We understand State Parks are not often easily accessible to some communities. Proposals may include parks and public lands that are outside of the State Park system but the the majority of the visits/experiences proposed must be at State Park sites to be eligible for funding. Q: Does this grant program have preferred regions? While we encourage all interested organizations to apply, the 2025 Route to Parks grant program has a preference on projects that include programming and/or experiences at California State Parks that connect people to inland waterways, lakes, rivers, watersheds, and water systems. We aim to distribute grants statewide, but proposals focusing on inland waterways access and education may receive priority. The preference is due to funding currently available for the Route to Parks grant program. Q: Is there a minimum number of participants or park visits needed to be considered for funding? There is not a minimum number of participants or number of trips required to be eligible for funding. We encourage applicants to include the number of participants and trips that are most relevant to the goals of each individual project. Q: How much are the grant amounts? Under this grant cycle, Parks California anticipates awarding approximately $1,000,000 with awards averaging $25,000-$30,000 per grantee. Parks California will make final awards based on overall requests, project need, scale and benefits to the community. Q: Is this a reimbursement grant? No, Grantees will receive grant funds in full at the start of the project period upon signing the grant agreement. #ParksForEveryone #RouteToParks #CAstateParks