Imagine a trip down California's coast where beach after beach is closed due to lack of funding. Imagine driving out to see the desert in bloom only to find Anza-Borrego no longer open to the public. Imagine not being able to visit the very spot gold was discovered because there is no money to keep the park open. Imagine not being able to visit Mt Tamalpais, Angel Island, or Tomales Bay in Marin. Imagine not being able to see Point Lobos or Pfeiffer Burns SP near Big Sur. No Pismo Beach. No McArthur-Burney Falls. No Poppy Reserve. No Torrey Pines. No Malibu Creek. No Mt Diablo. No Humbolt Redwoods. The list goes on and on and on. And the list could become reality. California is in a fiscal crisis. And the politicians are hitting us where it hurts. They are cutting teachers, corrections officers, firefighters, police and now they are cutting out nature. We CAN'T let this happen. Our kids NEED these parks. We NEED these parks. Most Californians live amongst the urban sprawl. We NEED a place to go where we can enjoy nature and all the outdoors have to offer. The legislature is trying scare us by taking away what we need the most. But consider these facts courtesy of the California State Parks Foundation:
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.
Not only would cutting the California State Parks be a travesty but its would just be reckless! We can't let this happen! You have a voice in this. Let it be heard. Take one minute to sign this petition. Join the Facebook group here. If you live in California, this effects you. If you vacation in California, this effects you. If you don't want to see California set a bad example for other state governments, this effects you. Together we can let the California Legislature we are NOT going to put up with their nonsense any more!
2 comments:
I signed the petition and became a follower :-)
Hi Sharlene,
I'm very worried about this as well, and talking about it alot on Twitter and Facebook.
Three Thoughts:
1) I thought I would start a State Park Saturday post on my blog...care to join me by contributing a post from time to time or dong the same.
2) My friend Jade has started a Facebook Group called Families for California State Parks. Feel free to join and post pictures, etc.
3) There was a great idea posted on the State Park Foundation website. Everyone in our state would pay an extra $10 with their licensing fee. In exchange, all Calfornians could get into/ park in most state parks and beaches FOR FREE! For more info: http://www.savestateparks.org/facts/
Let's try to push this solution when talking with our legislators, etc. I e-mailed our City Council and asked what they plan to do about this. I live in a major tourist town. I think if the cities are up in arms about this the state may need to consider creative solutions such as above.
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