Reflecting on 2020
Hi Friends-
As this year draws to a close, I’d like to take the time to reflect on all the changes we – as individuals, communities and a nation – have gone through.
When 2020 started, I, like many of you, had high hopes for the year ahead. Flash forward to March, and the onset of a pandemic had us facing a ripple effect of challenges that have impacted every single one of us in countless ways. We found ourselves socially distanced yet coming together to persevere and experiment with creative alternatives to the things we’re used to – from sightseeing in California’s beautiful state parks to getting our groceries or spending time with family over the holidays.
Perhaps, because of this, there has been more growth this year than ever before. More for me as a person, for the Parks California team and the organization, the network we’re connected to and hopefully for each of you. For this, I’m grateful.
As I reflect, here are a few other things I’m particularly thankful for this year:
- California State Parks welcomed Armando Quintero as its new director
- The lifelong impact left by Lisa Mangat in the creation and growth of Parks California
- Board members making waves in their communities! In particular, I was so excited to read that our board member Teresa Alvarado is the first-ever Latina to be appointed as Chair of the California Water Commission. Congratulations on this historic appointment, Teresa! 🎉
- All the wonderful partnerships formed across California State Parks including:
- California State Parks addressing discriminatory names and inequities within state parks and transportation systems
- Parks California’s commitment to a more inclusive culture for the untold stories of the state’s parks, such as those of the indigenous tribes whose land we stand on
- California’s bold steps to fight climate change, conserve biodiversity and boost climate resilience
- Spending more quality time with my husband and kids while we do this work to create a more welcoming state park system (Thank you, working from home!)
One of the things I am especially appreciative of are the supporters, like you, that continue to support Parks California to make our work possible.
I invite you to reflect with me on what this year has meant for you and on how you can find pockets of gratitude. Then take a stroll down memory lane with me by scrolling through this newsletter to see this year’s work I am particularly proud of.
The Parks California family and I wish you and your loved ones a holiday season filled with joy and love, and with many more state park adventures to come in 2021. ‘Tis the season!
Be sure to stay in touch with Parks California on our channels.
Wishing you and yours well,
Kindley
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Helping California State Parks Adapt
to COVID-19 Impacts
Parks California created a grants program to address the challenges the state parks and their park partners faced as a result of COVID-19. This program supported the safe operations of California State Parks visitor centers, bookstores, museums and gift shops as they opened their doors to visitors. We are glad to have awarded 60 grants through our Reopening California State Parks, COVID-19 Small Grants Program. We appreciate and are proud to support the many nonprofit partners working to make parks safe and welcoming for all!
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Rocking & Rolling for Wildfire Relief
State park lovers turned their living rooms into a dance floor🕺🏽 during our wildfire benefit concert in November. We partnered with StageIt for a live, web-based musical performance that people enjoyed from the comfort of your own homes. The best part? Proceeds of this event benefited wildfire relief efforts that will help open our beloved state parks. Headliners included Aloe Blacc, G. Love, Fortunate Youth and Fishbone. If you wish to contribute to this effort, you can make a donation today.
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Routing Nature Lovers to State Parks
To ensure the California State Parks system is more accessible and relevant to all visitors, Parks California launched the Route to Parks Grants, which allocated close to $320,000 to 20 nature programs to increase state park access for all communities. This grant cycle intentionally supports programs that address transportation challenges to and from state parks with longstanding solutions that are replicable, measurable and impactful. With the generous support of a donor, Parks California matched public funding for this program for an even greater community impact. Thank you and congratulations to all the Route to Parks grant finalists!
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Stamping State Parks passPORTS for Students
Parks California partnered with California State Parks and Computer-Using Educators (CUE) for a new passPORTS online adventure. This pilot program helps make it possible for students from across the state to experience some of the country’s most unique and precious cultural, natural and historic resources.
The passPORTS program builds upon PORTS’ 15-year success and combines quality teaching practices with the latest technology to reduce barriers to park access. Using video-conference technology and web resources, the Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students ® (PORTS) program introduces K-12 students to live State Park Interpreters, allowing them to connect their classroom studies within the context of California’s state park system.
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Growing Virtual Access to Nature
Speaking of Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students ® (PORTS), digital access to California State Parks has been more important this year than ever. Therefore, we are raising funds to help more students and teachers connect to this wonderful interactive experience hosted by park interpreters at state parks across California. With your gift, we will be able to expand this meaningful digital learning experience for more K-12 students. You can support PORTS and its mission by donating today.
P.S. –We are touched by this video made by PORTS interpreters about the impact your support has in this wonderful program!
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Talking Equity and Going (Facebook) Live
This summer, we hosted a series of interviews on Facebook Live with leaders in the outdoor space to discuss equity in California State Parks. In these conversations we talked about the equity challenges and which meaningful changes, like elevating underrepresented voices, can support community engagement programs, and honor everyone’s connections to and reasons why they fall in love with nature.
If you missed these interviews, you can watch them in our Facebook page or by clicking the links below:
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Touring Natural Wonders Through ParkSpeak
If you’re like us, you’re missing the smell of the redwood trees, the sound of the ocean and the joy that comes from exploring our beautiful State Parks. But since many people couldn’t go to State Parks this year, we brought the parks to you!
Our team has created a series of behind-the-scenes, guided tours of California State Parks called ParkSpeak hat highlighted innovative partnerships. Parks California President and CEO Kindley Lawlor visited three amazing state parks and uncovered the stories that make each park special. Check out her visits to Sumeg Village in Patrick’s Point State Park, La Purisima Mission State Historic Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park ®.
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Engaging with Communities Through (Urban) Nature
At Parks California, we believe that every community should feel a sense of connection to their natural spaces, and that a great way to do that is to engage local communities in the creation of urban parks.
Consider Candlestick Point State Recreation Area in San Francisco. Candlestick Point is a peaceful respite where people can meet up in large wind-sheltered picnic areas, go fishing, birdwatching, or wander down trails and just revel in the beauty of nature – and it was the first California State Park to bring state park values into the urban setting. To strengthen Candlestick Point, Parks California and other local nonprofit partners have come together to share resources and care for it.
The Bowtie Parcel in Los Angeles is another prime example of communities shaping their natural spaces. As Bowtie moves closer to becoming the next California State Park, the Bowtie Youth Council meets monthly to discuss ideas and priorities they would like to see in the park’s development. Learn more about how we’re embracing community engagement in state parks.
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Launching Resource Stewardship Initiatives
Did you know that this year, we also launched our Resource Stewardship Initiative to ensure that California’s unique natural treasures are protected and managed for current and future generations?
Our resource stewardship team will work with State Park staff and regional partners to identify key conservation and climate resilience priorities and needs, which will guide the development of partnerships, tools and programs. Our team hopes to deepen existing relationships and foster new partnerships with community-based organizations, Indigenous tribes, universities, nonprofits, volunteers, industry and agencies for landscape-scale stewardship. Learn more about our new Resource Stewardship Initiative.
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Revamping the Parks California Experience – Online
Have you seen it? Just last month, we launched a new Parks California website for you to engage with us! With much hard work behind the scenes from our team, the new design is more interactive and comprehensive – including new opportunities to share state parks stories through our blog. If you haven’t visited yet, take a quick tour of our freshly minted website.
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Parks That Thrive & Shine
The latest news and events for you to enjoy with your family and friends.
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Rising From the Ashes
Henry W. Coe State Park, much like a phoenix, rose from the ashes after this summer’s devastating wildfires. The fires cleared enormous amounts of vegetation, benefiting the landscape and setting up the land for rejuvenation.
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Beautifying Nature Trails
Repairs of the iconic boardwalk on the Cache Creek Nature Trail located at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park are nearly complete. Soon, nature lovers will have a chance to walk on the upgraded boardwalk.
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