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PRESS ROOM

NEW STUDY: Network of 111 Nonprofit Organizations Provides Immense Value to California State Parks – the Largest and Most Diverse State Park System in The World – and their Visitors

February 27, 2023 – A recently released study shows that a vast network of more than 100 nonprofit organizations play an indisputably critical role in supporting California’s state parks.

The study, Creating Impact: A Study of Nonprofit Partnership in California State Parks, examines the contributions made by nonprofit, community-led organizations in the wake of the California’s fiscal crisis of 2011–2012 that threatened to close dozens of state park sites, and the efforts to bolster public-private partnerships to foster innovation and bring additional expertise, capacity and resources to the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) system.

State Parks’ Partnerships Division, Parks California, California State Parks Foundation, California League of Park Associations, a research team and representatives from the nonprofit partner community collaborated on this effort in order to build a deeper understanding of the contributions made by nonprofit partners to California’s 280 state parks, and the benefits of aligning on shared goals and priorities. It is the most in-depth, comprehensive study ever conducted between State Parks and the nonprofit sector.

The study examines the many ways in which nonprofits support State Parks’ mission to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California – by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

The study also establishes a baseline for future studies, illuminates areas for further research, and identifies opportunities to expand partnership relationships between State Parks and nonprofit groups.

“The value and efficacy of partnerships has never been more evident,” said Armando Quintero, Director of California State Parks. “As we look to strengthen parks with the help of a diversity of supporters and endeavor to inspire the next generation of park stewards in California, we believe our shared vision with nonprofit organizations will be key.”

Quantitative and qualitative data in the study highlight an evolving partnership between State Parks and nonprofit organizations as an effective way to amplify the reach of community engagement efforts, foster ongoing connection to parks with added programming and events, leverage public investments as additional sources of funding and increase park access to more Californians.

The study also found that disruptions from natural disasters are presenting new opportunities to refocus and renew partnership norms statewide.

“The mounting threats from climate change, such as increasingly-dire wildfires and droughts, and other phenomenon, like pandemic outbreaks, have demonstrated the urgent need to build resiliency across California’s State Park system,” said Kindley Walsh Lawlor, President and CEO of Parks California. “Strengthening partnerships between government and nonprofits allows us to do more together on behalf of park visitors and nature.”

Through today’s public release of the study, the stakeholder group aims to make the findings widely available and, in particular, serve as a resource for local and state policymakers.

“This study illuminates a lesser-known fact about our state park system: the significant investment of volunteers and nonprofits in supporting State Parks’ mission. Californians love their state park system, and many have stepped up with their personal time and money to ensure that state parks continue to provide a high-quality experience to visitors and communities now and in the future,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “We hope that as policymakers learn more about these contributions, they will gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to steward these incredible places.”

The study provides best practices to help the relationship between State Parks and non-profit groups flourish.

“Our findings show that nonprofit partners to State Parks deliver high-value financial and volunteer resources to our parks and their visitors when partners and park managers collaborate effectively together,” said George Loyer, California League of Park Associations. “Partnerships are also contributing deeper support from local stakeholder communities to improve and broaden access to all communities and in telling up-to-now untold stories of the parks.”

Potrero Group, a California-based research and management consulting firm, served as the primary project manager and research lead. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data was gathered, including a survey of State Parks’ nonprofit partners, an IRS Form 990 review, focus groups, case studies and individual interviews. Recurring themes were identified to characterize the field of nonprofit partnership, examine enablers of successes and current challenges, identify trends affecting nonprofit partnerships and make recommendations.

The full study can be downloaded on Parks California’s website, here.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as California State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.

ABOUT PARKS CALIFORNIA

California is home to the highest quality park system in the world. There are 280 State Park units, ranging from urban parks in the heart of our cities, to beaches along our iconic coast, to historic parks celebrating the ingenuity of humanity, to redwood groves and desert expanses. Parks California is based on a new model for public, private, and nonprofit partnership, with our strength realized through statewide collaboration working together to solve complex problems more efficiently and effectively to create long term solutions. As California State Parks’ statutory partner, we have a simple mission — to help strengthen parks and inspire all to experience these extraordinary places. For more information, visit https://parkscalifornia.org.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION

California State Parks Foundation is an independent, member-supported nonprofit that mobilizes a diverse network of Californians to be active champions for our state parks. At California State Parks Foundation, we believe that all Californians are essential to sustaining our state parks. Every day, we inform and inspire current and future generations of park champions, enabling them to be the passionate advocates our state parks need. Because when we build a movement of park supporters, we ensure the long-term sustainability of our incredible state park treasures. Learn more at www.calparks.org, or find California State Parks Foundation on Facebook, or Instagram and Twitter (@calparks).

ABOUT CALIFORNIA LEAGUE OF PARK ASSOCIATIONS:

The California League of Park Associations (CALPA) is a membership association supporting a network of nonprofits that partner with California State Parks. CALPA works to create this resilient network of nonprofit park partners by empowering them through education, collaboration, innovation and advocacy, strengthening the California state park system for future generations. For more information, visit https://calparksleague.org.

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ARE ESSENTIAL

Parks California connects people to nature, helps parks become more climate resilient, and increases access for everyone. Your donation to Parks California supports programs for 280 parks, across 1.6 million acres, including one quarter of California’s coastline.

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