ACTION NEEDED: SAVE OUR PARKS
The Governator of California has proposed closing 220 state parks throughout the state of California, in order to cut the budget deficit. Only 59 parks would remain open. This is an outrage in my opinion. These parks are our lifeblood in California, our treasures. There are many magnificent waterfalls in these parks, as well as many many other unique and precious, and fragile scenery and artifacts. Although they say it is only temporary until the budget crisis is under control, I am sure that once it happens, it will be very difficult to re-open them. California has had budget problems every year for the past 250 years (give or take), and that problem is not going to go away soon. The parks will not be re-opening at the very least until Arnold is kicked out. Not to mention, and this is my horrifying concern, what will happen if the gates do close at these parks? Who is going to stop people from going in and committing atrocious acts of vandalism in these precious parks? (Bodie, Mono Lake, etc.). Or even just abnormal littering? Let’s face it: there are many idiots out there who will do exactly this. And with no park rangers to stop it, I can only imagine the atrocity. And what about all the rangers and employees who will lose their jobs? I love what the rangers do; they are so important to our state.
You can help by signing the following petition. Please do so:
List of parks being closed:
Here are some associated news stories:
One of the parks NOT on the list just happens to be the one I most frequent: Auburn SRA. I am grateful for that (though, I’m not sure how they could really close that one anyway). Auburn SRA has already experienced enough grief and headache over the years (from the proposed Auburn Dam). But still, I am quite upset about the closures that are on the list, including Burney Falls, Berry Creek Falls, Limekiln Falls, McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Falls, Eagle Falls. The list goes on and on.
Speaking of park rangers and Auburn SRA, if you want to read a great book about the work that these guys do, you really should read this book. It is definitely one of the best books I have ever read:
Nature Noir by Jordan Fisher Smith
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