What's New
The next step in protecting our parks will be on the ballot this fall. On November 2, 2010, California voters will have the opportunity to save state parks by approving Prop 21, which would create the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010.
Vote yes on 21.
Rather than living on a budget roller coaster, the fund would provide a stable, reliable and adequate source of funding for the state park system, for wildlife conservation and for increased and equitable access to those resources for all Californians.
Initiative Basics:
• The Trust Fund revenues could only be spent on state parks, wildlife, natural lands and ocean conservation programs.
• The Trust Fund would be funded by an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge on all California cars, motorcycles and recreational vehicles that would be collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles as part of the annual vehicle license fee. Larger commercial vehicles (those subject to the Commercial Vehicle Registration Act), mobile homes and permanent trailers would be exempt.
• Vehicles subject to the surcharge and all occupants of those vehicles would have free day use admission to all state parks throughout the year.
• Trust Fund revenues would amount to approximately $500 million each year (based on about 28 million registered vehicles) and 85 percent would be allocated to state parks and 15 percent to other state wildlife and ocean protection agencies.
• With a new dedicated revenue stream in place, approximately $130 million of General Fund dollars—that provide a portion of overall state parks funding—would now be available for other vital needs, like schools, health care, social services or public safety.
• The Trust Fund would be subject to an independent audit by the State Auditor and a Citizens' Oversight Committee would be created to ensure funds are spent appropriately. Audit, oversight and administrative costs of this measure would be limited to one percent of the annual revenues.
How you can help:
Spread the word and stay updated!
Tell your friends and family about the initiative and how it will help solve California's state park crisis. Tell them to vote yes.
Learn More:
Our Natural Heritage
Thirty years ago, California’s state parks were the crown jewels of
the state. But for years we have been cutting them up for development
and underfunding them. As a result, our parks are smaller and more
polluted, and up to 100 were slated to close.
It’s time to stand up for our natural heritage: One in six acres of land in California is already paved. More and more, the next generation of Californian children are growing up without parks and other places to play and experience nature.
We need to make sure that every child in California has a place to play, a place to learn about nature.
A major study from Sacramento State University shows that state parks pay for themselves:
A team of researchers at Sacramento State University have released a new research numbers they say shows that the state parks system more than pays for itself by generating sales tax revenue.
The Sacramento State University study also found that the state park system gets some of the highest marks from the public for any government agency, and that recent gas price spikes have led to an increase in visits to state parks, at high levels which have been sustained well into 2009.
Last year, 77.6 million people visited our parks to hike, swim, picnic and learn more about our state.
• Our state parks bring $4.32 billion per year to the state through tourism.
• Our parks protect a huge array of wildlife, including bald eagles, snowy plovers, valley quail, Redwood trees and the California poppy—many of which are threatened or endangered.
