Earth Day is always a special time for us at Parks California. It’s when we join with communities, partners and supporters from every corner of the state to celebrate and care for the public lands that connect us all.
But Earth Day is about more than just one day. It’s a reminder of the ongoing stewardship, connection and shared responsibility that happens in our parks every day. From rolling up our sleeves at volunteer projects to gathering as a community and building lasting partnerships, this Earth Day showed what’s possible when we care for California’s natural and cultural treasures together.
Community in action across California
All across California this April, our parks came alive with ways to give back, learn and connect. From coastal cleanups and habitat restoration to campfire storytelling and community science, there was something for everyone to be part of.
At Dos Rios State Park, volunteers came together for a day that truly made a difference. In just two hours, 36 people contributed 72 hours of service—building new benches, repairing and maintaining trails, planting native trees and plants and clearing away invasive species and litter along the river. Every action added up to a healthier, more welcoming park for everyone.
At China Camp State Park, volunteers came together to remove invasive Scotch and French broom, helping restore native habitat, reduce wildfire risk and support the long-term health of the park’s ecosystems.
In Southern California’s Angeles District, Earth Day events brought together community members, partners and park staff through a range of events celebrating stewardship and connection to nature. The month began with coastal restoration at Point Dume State Beach and a community campfire program at Pio Pico State Historic Park.
At Los Angeles State Historic Park, volunteers cared for an urban food forest while participating in pollinator education and fruit tree adoption activities. At Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, a Cityscape to Campfire Stroll blended community science, nature exploration and storytelling, while Malibu Creek State Park hosted a mix of programming — from Junior Ranger activities to evening events like a film screening and the Wonderfest campfire storytelling experience. Celebrations continued with family-friendly programming at Will Rogers State Historic Park and concluded with a bird walk at Malibu Lagoon, welcoming participants of all experience levels.
Every effort, big or small, adds up. Together, we’re helping our parks stay resilient, accessible and welcoming for generations to come.
Partnerships that power stewardship
Earth Day also reminded us how powerful partnership can be.
At Big Basin Redwoods State Park, volunteers — including participants from our donor Pacific Gas and Electric Company — joined park staff and partners for a hands-on workday focused on forest resilience. Together, they created burn piles to support fuel reduction efforts in the Redwood Grove, helping prepare the landscape for future prescribed burns.
This kind of hands-on work is essential for the long-term health of our forests. By managing fuel and restoring natural processes, we help protect our iconic redwoods and build resilience to wildfire.
Volunteers worked side by side with California State Parks staff and partners, showing how working together across organizations and communities is key to caring for our public lands.
Learning on the land: North Coast stewardship in action
This Earth Day, partners gathered on California’s North Coast, where ancient redwoods meet the Pacific, for a field visit that brought climate, culture and stewardship into focus.
Parks California, California State Parks and the Yurok Tribe led the way, bringing together leaders from across sectors — including BMO, BMO Climate Institute and the National Park Service — to experience firsthand the work shaping the future of these incredible landscapes.
At the heart of the visit was Redwoods Rising, one of the country’s most ambitious forest restoration efforts. Here, large-scale ecological restoration goes hand in hand with workforce development and deep collaboration with tribal partners, showing how climate resilience grows through both science and community.
The group listened to Yurok Tribe leaders, whose stewardship and cultural knowledge continue to guide work on their ancestral lands. At Sue-meg State Park, conversations reflected the park’s new name and the growing role of tribes as partners and leaders in caring for public lands.
Along the coast at Stone Lagoon, the conversation turned to access, climate adaptation and the importance of helping people connect with these landscapes in ways that matter.
“What makes this work remarkable isn’t just its scale — it’s the partnership behind it,” said Kindley Walsh Lawlor, president and CEO, Parks California. “You can’t restore a landscape without investing in the communities connected to it. What’s happening here on the North Coast has lessons not just for California, but far beyond.”
Partners echoed that shared commitment. In their Earth Day reflections, BMO highlighted the visit as an example of how climate restoration, tribal partnership and community resilience are shaping the future of our public lands, and how working together across sectors leads to lasting impact.
The visit ended with a gathering hosted by the Yurok Tribe, offering a moment to reflect on culture, stewardship and our shared vision for the future of these lands.
Expanding the future of California’s state parks
There was also exciting news for the future of California’s public lands.
To celebrate Earth Day, Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced plans for three new state parks. This is a big step forward in expanding access to nature and protecting important landscapes across California.
This initiative reflects a growing recognition that parks are essential to California—supporting climate resilience, biodiversity, community health and equitable access to nature for all.
As our state grows, so does our responsibility to create public spaces that reflect and serve the diversity of California. New parks are an investment in our shared future, ensuring everyone has a place to connect with nature and community.
Keep the momentum going
Earth Month may be wrapping up, but our work and the chance to connect with our parks keeps going.
We invite you to keep the momentum going by joining us for California State Parks Week, a statewide celebration of the people, places and programs that make our parks so special.
Whether you’re volunteering, exploring or just spending time outside, every visit is a chance to build a deeper connection to the lands we all share.
Together, we can keep caring for California.