CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION AWARDS $100,000 IN GRANTS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 | Cal Parks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2020

California State Parks Foundation provides grants to 20 state parks to ensure parks are supported during the pandemic.

Sacramento, CA – The impact of the COVID-19 crisis has been felt by every individual, family, community, business, and industry – California’s parklands are no exception.  Today, California State Parks Foundation announces the Keeping Parks Whole grant awards totally $100,000 to support state parks and partners who need it now more than ever.

Parks are incredible and proven resources of mental and physical health – places to play, grow, and learn for our children and sources of respite during times of crisis, anxiety and fear. During the pandemic, long periods of park closures have greatly jeopardized the future of parks due to massive loss in revenue from day-use fees, camping reservations, concession sales and more.  In response to the growing needs of California’s state parks and park partner organizations in response to COVID-19, California State Parks Foundation created funding opportunities to support park staff and park partner address changes and navigate impacts to operations in parks.

“California State Parks Foundation recognizes the COVID-19 crisis has had a strong, and negative impact on our state parks. Critical funding from state resources as well as revenue generated from park visitation has been greatly jeopardized, and this impact has been felt by park partners who provide financial, educational, and programmatic resources to the community,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director, California State Parks Foundation. “Supporting partners with our Keeping Parks Whole Grant opportunity ensures parks remain protected while also preparing for a safe and welcoming experience for visitors when they fully re-open.”

The Keeping Parks Whole Grant opportunity includes $100,000 in grant funding that supports activities resulting in one or more of the following outcomes:

  • Staff positions remain filled to improve the visitor experience and keep up the ongoing work happening in parks.
  • Maintenance is not deferred even more than it has already been over the years.
  • Park programs remain available to all Californians, so visitors can engage with the natural and cultural resources every park has to offer.
  • Partners are supported to operate and provide programming in parks when they can fully re-open.

Grant funding will be distributed to 20 partner organizations to support the evolving needs of parks during this time:

  • Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association
  • Anza-Borrego Foundation
  • Calaveras Big Trees Association
  • California State Railroad Museum Foundation
  • California League of Park Associations
  • Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association
  • Clockshop
  • Fort Ross Conservancy
  • Friends of Sutter’s Fort
  • Hendy Woods Community
  • Literacy for Environmental Justice
  • Los Angeles River State Park Partners
  • McArthur Burney Falls Interpretive Association
  • Mendocino Woodlands Camp Association
  • Mendocino Area Parks Association
  • Mountain Parks Foundation
  • Outdoor Outreach
  • Portola and Castle Rock Foundation
  • Save Mount Diablo
  • South Yuba River Citizens League

Learn more about the Keep Parks Whole Grant round at calparks.org/grant.