The second shoe has (figuratively) dropped for our state parks once again, parks are on the chopping block and are being disproportionately and provocatively targeted in the state budget. Governor Brown made an early release of his Fiscal Year 2012-13 state budget. Not only does it propose to continue the path toward 70 park closures, it threatens to eliminate all lifeguards on state beaches and 20 percent of all park rangers, if the Governor’s revenue package is not supported by the voters in November. (See list of Planned State Park Closures)
I don't need to tell you how serious these actions are in preventing our state parks from being accessible, available, and enjoyable to all Californians. The governor’s firm commitment to closing one quarter of our state parks is bad enough, but these public safety threats only add insult to injury.
We need your help to tell this governor to stop playing politics with state parks. Across the state, organizations and communities are banding together to try to find creative ways to keep their parks open, but not every park is so lucky, and even the successful efforts cannot replace the need for continued state support for our state parks.
Please take a moment to send a message to the governor, opposing his plan for state parks and urging him to protect and preserve the more than 100 year legacy with which he’s been entrusted as governor.
As always, thank you for your support and advocacy for state parks.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Goldstein
President
Mind Walks are lectures held in the auditorium at the Inn at Morro Bay every Monday morning, January through March. In 2012, some of the talks will also be given the following Saturday at the Museum. Check the schedule below for more information. Admission is free for members of the Central Coast Natural History Association. Non-members must pay the standard Museum entry fee.
Below is a list of this month's Mind Walks. For more information on speakers and talk descriptions, visit CCNHA.
DATE |
TOPIC |
SPEAKER |
March 5, 2012 |
Morro Bay Commercial Fisheries—Past and Present |
Rick Algert |
March 10
(Saturday) and
March 12, 2012 |
Spring Blooms, Red Tides and Dead Zones |
Karen Watts |
March 17
(Saturday) and
March 19, 2012 |
Tsunamis along the Central Coast |
John Lindsey |
March 24 (Saturday) and March 26, 2012 |
Photo Favorites of Local Photographers |
Jerry Kirkhart |
