Thank you for another amazing year of improving parks throughout California! California’s state parks hold a special place in our hearts, and we know they hold the same significance for you. They are more than just beautiful landscapes; they are destinations for tranquility, sources of inspiration, and gateways to unforgettable adventures.
While 2024 is coming to an end, the challenges facing California’s parks are only mounting. So please help us rise to those challenges with a generous tax-deductible year-end gift today!
Here are just a few projects you’ve helped bring to life recently:
ESSENTIAL TRAIL WORK IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA
Every month, we focus on trail maintenance during our volunteer workdays around different park sites within the Los Angeles District. Parks we’ve worked on include Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Malibu Creek State Park, Will Rogers State Historic Park, and Point Dume State Beach. Volunteers have been essential in pruning and trimming overgrown vegetation, widening trails, and removing invasive plant species along the paths. These efforts ensure clear and safe access for all park visitors and a healthy ecosystem for the wildlife that call these places home
PIGEON POINT LIGHT STATION STATE HISTORIC PARK
At 151 years old, the Pigeon Point Lighthouse has fallen into disrepair and has been desperately in need of major restoration for decades. Visitors have been unable to go inside the lighthouse since 2001 due to the risk of collapse. The park was awarded state funding in 2021, which is finally making the restoration project a reality! California State Parks Foundation is excited to work with California State Parks and our fellow park partners to see this project through to completion, providing a grant to help with the final phase of work. This will make it possible for visitors to safely visit the lighthouse once again.
PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY AT MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK
Taking action to preserve biodiversity in California is essential. A critical component of this work is restoring and supporting climate-resilient habitat for native species so they can better withstand the effects of climate change. Such critical work is underway at Malibu Creek State Park, where invasive red swamp crayfish are threatening aquatic biodiversity, including species like the endangered California red-legged frog. Thanks to you, California State Parks will remove invasive crayfish from a stream segment with a high degree of biodiversity. Restoring this habitat will allow native species to thrive!
TRAIL AND CAMPGROUND ENHANCEMENTS AT MONTAÑA DE ORO STATE PARK
Volunteers joined us at Montaña de Oro State Park to help restore native coastal scrub habitat along the Bluff Trail, one of the park’s most popular trails. They removed invasive species and planted 324 native plants in its place! Volunteers also helped enhance the Islay Creek Campground by planting 44 native trees and shrubs to help increase shade during warmer months and aid carbon sequestration.
WILDFIRE FUELS REDUCTION AT ARTHUR B. RIPLEY DESERT WOODLAND STATE PARK
California’s state parks are increasingly under threat from severe wildfires driven by climate change. In 2020, Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park was hit by the Lake Fire, which burned many of the majestic Joshua trees that call that park home — and the risk of another fire is still high. With your help, California State Parks will remove this hazardous fuel buildup and eradicate the invasive fireprone plants spreading around the park perimeter. By reducing the risk of a future fire, this critical project will help protect California’s beloved Joshua trees.
HABITAT RESTORATION AT LIGHTHOUSE FIELD STATE BEACH
Lighthouse Field State Beach staff have created test plots for community-supported habitat restoration projects. Volunteers have been instrumental in clearing invasive species like ice plant and cape ivy and planting California native plants. Park staff are experimenting with innovative restoration methods, such as using dried ice plant as mulch. This mulch is then used to maintain newly planted areas, ensuring the survival of native plants.