California State Parks Foundation

The California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) was founded in 1969 by William Penn Mott, Jr., former director of both California's Department of Parks and Recreation and the National Park Service. With our 100,000 members, CSPF is the only statewide independent nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and advocating for California's magnificent state parks. Since 1969, CSPF has raised more than $150 million to benefit state parks. CSPF is committed to improving the quality of life for all Californians by expanding access to the natural beauty, rich culture and history, and recreational and educational opportunities offered by California's 279 state parks—the largest state park system in the United States. Some of the major areas of work for the CSPF include: * Serving as the independent voice for state parks by facilitating capital improvements, advocating for adequate funding and sound policies for state parks, including deferred maintenance support, and funding educational programs, habitat restoration and land acquisition. * Cultivating stewardship of state parks by hosting annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup programs and supporting Volunteer Enhancement programs. * Encouraging environmental education and visitation of state parks by supporting programs such as Coast Alive!, FamCamp®, Bay Youth for the Environment, Junior Rangers and Junior Lifeguards. Source: www.calparks.org