The health and welfare of our park is in jeopardy!

The governor is planning to close 200 of California's 279 state parks perhaps as early as Labor Day. The amount of money to be saved by this move is miniscule compared to spending in other areas. The devastating effect on our community, our county and beyond, would be monumental. Big Trees State Park is vital to the survival of countless businesses and, more importantly, it is a treasure which enables us to teach our local and statewide school children to respect and value our precious natural resource. They are the future caretakers of the Giant Sequoias.

Your action is needed right now - today!

California State Parks Foundation is heading up an all out crusade to save our parks and everyone is needed to make it a success. All you need to do is go to www.calparks.org and educate yourself about the situation and send a very simple e-mail to Sacramento. The letter is already written for you, is to the point, and very easy to send.

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND OUR HELP IS NEEDED TODAY! THIS TIME THE SITUATION IS REALLY SERIOUS!

California State Parks Foundation

We have just learned the details of Governor Schwarzenegger's budget plan that if approved will close at least 80% of California's entire state park system.

Here is the list of the proposed park closures. [download .pdf here]

Beginning July 1st, the Governor will cut the parks core funding in half and then eliminate all core funding in twelve months.  Without this money, there will be no choice but to close the majority of our park system.

Even if you are not planning to visit a park soon, the governor's short-sighted proposal will impact you and every California resident. It is the very definition of "penny-wise, pound foolish". Consider the facts:

FACT:    The General Fund budget that state parks receive account for less than 1/10 of one percent of the entire state budget. 

FACT:   Last year alone, there were over 80 million visitors to state parks – and all indications are that this year was going to be even higher.

FACT:    For every dollar that funds the parks, $2.35 is returned to the state's General Fund through economic activities in the communities surrounding the parks.

That means eliminating all funding for state parks could actually result in the state losing over $350 million dollars in revenue.

For the financial well-being of our state, we must oppose this reckless plan.  We have had the displeasure of notifying you of threats to our parks in the past.  But this is the worst threat to park system in its 150 year history.

Thank you for your action today!