Governor Announces Historic Investment in Outdoor Recreation in California
Sunset campground at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, ancestral lands of the Western Mono/Monache and Yokuts. Photo credit: Denys Nevozhai
Last week, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom introduced his California Comeback Plan, which includes significant investment in conservation, climate, and enhancing outdoor recreation access throughout California. Outdoor recreation has been a lifeline for many of us over the past year. The popularity of hiking, camping, mountain biking, surfing, climbing, and other outdoor activities has meant that many outdoor destinations are seeing increased visitation and need increased investment to keep up with demand.
California’s proposed $1 billion investment includes millions of dollars towards deferred maintenance, creating new urban greenspaces, outdoor equity grants, K-12 outdoor educational programing, and additional resources for the explore the coastal access grant program. The program also includes investment in building new parks and green spaces for Californians to enjoy.
“For many of us, enjoying the outdoors is part of our daily lives. Unfortunately, too many Californians don’t have this opportunity. We’re working to change that through Governor Newsom’s California Comeback Plan, which proposes to invest $1 billion to build new parks in communities without them, refurbish our beloved State Parks systems, and bring kids outdoors through a range of new programs. All kids deserve a chance to play in a local park, visit the beach and explore museums. We’re excited to partner with the Outdoor Alliance to advance this vision,” said California's Natural Resources Secretary, Wade Crowfoot.
The Governor’s revised budget builds on his executive order from October 2020 that committed to conserving 30 percent of the state’s land and coastal waters by 2030. This goal, also called 30x30, has been embraced by the Biden administration, as well, which is also seeing it as an opportunity to invest in outdoor recreation, in climate resilience, and in the profound economic value of conserved and accessible lands and waters.
Outdoor Alliance is pleased to be working with the California state government to help organize and guide conservations in the state, developing strategies on how the state can meet this ambitious goal to conserve 30 percent of its lands and waters.
Katie Hawkins, California Program Manager at Outdoor Alliance, has been working closely with the state on outdoor recreation and conservation priorities. “Outdoor Alliance applauds the Newsom administration on recognizing the importance of funding outdoor access and climate resiliency in its May budget revision. California's public lands and waters draw millions of residents and visitors alike to its high-quality recreation assets every year,” said Katie. “Climate change is an existential threat to these iconic outdoor recreation landscapes and the state needs to invest in conservation, outdoor recreation access, and economic development in local communities throughout the state. We look forward to partnering with Governor Newsom on advancing the goal of conserving 30% of California's lands and waters by 2030 and ensuring the budget reflects those priorities.”
Governor Newsom’s budget proposal includes the following:
Outdoor Education—$108.1 million for outdoor environmental education and access programming through the Outdoor Equity Grants Program and expansion of existing K-12 programs.
Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program—$125 million to invest in establishing and revitalizing community open spaces.
Explore the Coast Grant Program—$14 million for the Coastal Conservancy to expand coastal access programming statewide.
Innovative Pilot Programs—$9.1 million to launch a State Parks pilot to expand parks pass distribution, especially for youth in disadvantaged communities.
Enhance and Restore the State Park System – $507.3 million for the enhancement and restoration of state parks facilities statewide including wildfire restoration.
Indian Heritage Center will receive 95.3 million one-time funds.
Urban Greening – $200 million in funding for urban greening programs.
These investments will pay dividends for outdoor recreation access as well as building climate resiliency in the state. "Surfrider Foundation appreciates Governor Newsom's commitment to ensuring continued public access to California's beloved coast by dedicating millions toward sea level rise adaptation and the expansion of coastal access programs,” said Jen Savage, Surfrider Foundation’s California Policy Manager. “In particular, we're pleased to see funding that will allow California's State Parks – which comprise 25 percent of the coast – to become more resilient to sea level rise. From the water and onshore, our State Parks provide one of the best ways for California's residents and visitors to experience the magnificence of the Pacific and the incredible wildlife who call it home. We're also heartened to see a vast increase in funding for the Coastal Conservancy's invaluable Explore the Coast program, which provides coastal experiences for people and communities who face challenges to accessing or enjoying the coast. We're excited to continue working with Governor Newsom's office on our shared coastal access priorities."
California’s investment in outdoor recreation is a model for other states, especially those seeing increased demand for outdoor recreation and increased participation in outdoor activities. In order to sustain the outdoors, states (and the federal government) need to invest in this infrastructure, from building new parks and green spaces to maintaining trails, access points, and parking. Ensuring that outdoor spaces have enough staff and that the staff have adequate resources to care for these places is also important.