Help Save California State Parks - And Their Hiking Trails

I just received an e-mail from the California State Parks Foundation. Please read and donate if you can. (I just sent some dough.)

Greetings,

Here we go again! Even after we fought off last year’s proposal to close 48 state parks, the Governor is again taking aim at the state parks’ budget and proposing to shut down our state parks. Only this year the budget cuts are 10 times worse and will cause over 200 state parks to be closed.
This is why we need you to send an emergency contribution of at least $25, or as much as you can afford to help our grassroots fight to stop the Governor’s plan.
The Governor’s proposal will eliminate $70 million from the Department of Parks and Recreation’s General Fund for the 2009-10 Fiscal Year (starting July 1st), and will take the rest in the next budget year, FY 2010-11 – that’s a total of $143 million!
A hearing is scheduled for this Tuesday, June 2, where the Legislature’s Budget Conference Committee will consider this proposal.
Show your support for state parks TODAY with an emergency donation.
We will fight this proposal to make sure that all state parks stay open and funded. And we need you to help us in this monumental effort. Because sometimes membership dues are not enough.
Thank you.
Elizabeth Goldstein
President, CSPF
P.S. Please take a moment to give to CSPF and let your lawmakers know that state parks are important you. We only have a few days until the legislator starts to debate this issue – make your generous gift today.

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Comments

Steve Cramer says
June 2, 2009 at 6:16 am
I have no sympathy. If you would like to retain these wonderful opportunities then you must get your fiscal house in order! When you do not have money you cannot spend it. This is not rocket science.
John Soares says
June 2, 2009 at 10:14 am
Steve, I certainly agree that the California budget crisis is important and must be dealt with.
However, I think keeping most of the state parks open has benefits that outweigh the costs:
1. Local businesses near state parks will increase sales.
2. Recreation in nature is important for physical and mental health. People who are healthy and happy are more economically productive, which means they make more money and pay more taxes.
3. Nearly all the costs of creating the parks is already spent, meaning all the infrastructure is there and now we are looking at just the marginal cost of keeping the parks open.
One way to save money at state parks: have local volunteer organizations kick in to monitor the parks and pick up the garbage, etc.

Help Save California State Parks — And Their Hiking Trails

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