On Friday we told you about a rally out in Walnut Creek to help save California's State Parks. Today we have note from the Access Fund on how you can get further involved in this very important struggle to keep our State Parks open.

Immediate action is needed to help save climbing in California’s State Parks from drastic budget cuts that threaten closure!

Faced with a multi-billion dollar state budget deficit, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is pushing a plan to close 220 of the California’s 279 parks, despite reports that show the park system more than pays for itself by generating tourism dollars. 75 million people visit California state parks each year, spending almost $60 apiece on their trips, both inside and outside the parks. For every dollar that funds the parks, $2.35 is returned to the state's General Fund through economic activities in the communities surrounding the parks. Nonetheless, California’s state parks, including many climbing areas, are on the chopping block.

Threatened climbing areas include Mt. Diablo, Mt. Tamalpais, Castle Rock, Castle Crags, Mt. San Juacinto, Stinson (Mickey's) Beach, Patrick's Point, Mt. St. Helena, Emerald Bay, Point Dune, Malibu Creek, Lake Perris, and Stonewall Creek.

Your help is needed to convince CA legislators that they should prioritize budget funding for valuable State Parks. If California’s State Parks are important to you—especially those that contain climbing areas—then write your state representatives and urge them to support a budget that doesn’t deprive your State Park lands and its users.

It is easier than ever to take action from the Access Fund Action Center. It only takes 30 seconds to submit a letter and have your voice heard!

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Labels: Access Fund, Budget Crisis, California State Parks

As the California budget crisis worsens, budget cuts are starting to have a big impact on many of the programs that we as Californians hold dear. One of these is our State Parks and Andrew Descalso, the manager at Diablo Rock Gym is doing something about it. He and his friends have organized a rally to help focus attention to the very real possibility of us loosing many of our State Parks.


Come on down and wear as little as possible Speedos & Bikini’s...we need to draw some attention to the matter. Body paint or write your favorite park all over yourself. Those fully dressed, come down to support and watch. (Have a bike? Bring it and ride around the block, please follow all the laws and wear a helmet)

"Even if you are not planning to visit a park soon, the governor's short-sighted proposal will impact you and every California resident. It is the very definition of "penny-wise, pound foolish".

Consider the facts:

FACT: The General Fund budget that state parks receive account for less than 1/10 of one percent of the entire state budget.

FACT: Last year alone, there were over 80 million visitors to state parks – and all indications are that this year was going to be even higher.

FACT: For every dollar that funds the parks, $2.35 is returned to the state's General Fund through economic activities in the communities surrounding the parks.

That means eliminating all funding for state parks could actually result in the state losing over $350 million dollars in revenue.

For the financial well-being of our state, we must oppose this reckless plan. We have had the displeasure of notifying you of threats to our parks in the past. But this is the worst threat to park system in its 150 year history."

Please visit http://ga3.org/campaign/budget_may09 to send a letter to the Governor and your local representative, it only takes a minute.

There is also have a facebook invite page.

Labels: Budget Crisis, California State Parks, Diablo Rock Gym, Facebook, Walnut Creek