Parks Forward Commission

Trail along a redwood forest

The Transformation of California State Parks

by Sam Hodder on

With 280 parks across 1.6 million acres, hosting more than 74 million visitors last fiscal year alone, California is one of the largest state park systems in the United States. In a focused and comprehensive effort to keep these world-class parks open and thriving, seasoned leaders from California State Parks and outside entities helped plan for and implement 60 ambitious initiatives, from a new state-of-the-art reservation system to increased protections and improvements for the parks statewide. Here are just some of the improvements for redwood state parks.

Strong partnerships between the League, CSP and others will help our beloved parks thrive.

Charting the Course for California State Parks

by Sam Hodder on

A report that will chart the course for the future of California State Parks (CSP) is closer to its final form. The Parks Forward Commission met in San Francisco last Wednesday to discuss the most recent draft of the Parks Forward …

Photo by Paolo Vescia

A Prescription for Parks

by Sam Hodder on

“It is a scientific fact that the occasional contemplation of natural scenes of an impressive character, particularly if this contemplation occurs in connection with relief from ordinary cares, change of air and change of habits, is favorable to the health …

A footbridge leads to a lush redwood forest.

Leap Forward for State Parks

by Sam Hodder on

Governor Brown recently announced California’s 2014-2015 budget, and I speak for all of us at the League in applauding the governor’s Parks-related proposals: to provide one-time funding of $14 million for operations and $40 million for backlogged maintenance costs, as well as to keep all parks open and …

Enjoy summer’s sun-dappled trails, like this one in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Photo by Julie Martin

Parks, Planet, Pavement: Redwood Highlights of 2013

by Sam Hodder on

While many year-end lists will highlight the accomplishments of 2013, for Save the Redwoods League, the year is best reflected with three major highlights. Together these stories speak of the focus and commitment of the League and its partners, the unique …

The spotted owl is another irreplaceable redwoods inhabitant. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

It’s About the Critters Too!

by Harry Pollack on

The League is working to move State Parks forward to protect the many species that call the redwood forest home. As my colleague Richard Campbell wrote in his blog last week, saving old-growth redwoods is not the same as saving …

Photo by Julie Martin

It’s About the Children!

by Harry Pollack on

There are so many reasons to move State Parks forward.  For me, the first reason is for our children. Remember how much fun you had in the forest as a child?  I recall digging for bugs in the dirt at …

The Coastal Trail, Last Chance section, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Photo by David Baselt

Do You Want to Move State Parks Forward?

by Harry Pollack on

Save the Redwoods League does. In this fast-changing world, we either move forward or we are left behind. California’s state parks house some of the world’s most treasured natural resources, including large portions of our beloved redwood forest.  We visit …

Montgomery Woods State Park. Photo by Peter Buranzon

Parks Forward Commission – Time to Reform the State Parks System

by Harry Pollack on

There is a ray of hope for California’s underfunded State Parks system:  a new high-level commission is being appointed with a mandate to transform the system – soon. As those of us who work in the system know, the State …

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