Keep our State Parks Open

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This web page will serve the purpose of providing updated information about Stewards' effort to keep all the parks in the State of California open to the public and how you can help us with that effort. Scroll down for talking points and contacts for our letter-writing campaign.

Economic Impacts of Closing Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve

Armstrong Redwoods is the only old-growth redwood forest open to the public in Sonoma County and redwoods are one of the major reasons why people visit Sonoma County. Close to 1 million visitors a year enjoy the majestic beauty of Armstrong Redwoods, making this state park a significant destination for tourists. Tourism is the leading industry that drives the local economy in the Russian River recreational area. The closing of Armstrong Redwoods will have a significant impact on the economy of the towns along the Russian River in western Sonoma County, as well as the County of Sonoma as a whole.

Michele Luna, Executive Director of Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods (Stewards) recently convened a committee of community members to estimate what the economic impacts could be. With the help of Michael Kennett, innkeeper of Fern Grove Cottages and a member of the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau Board of Directors, the committee came up with a range of financial impacts for both western Sonoma County and Sonoma County as a whole.

To detemine the impacts in western Sonoma County, local figures for 2007 lodging revenue were used as well as a multiplier for additional services that visitors use in the community. In 2007, $20 million in revenue was derived from lodging with an additional $49.5 million derived from other services for a total economic benefit of $69.5 million from tourism in West County. If the closing of Armstrong Redwoods results in a 10% decline in visitors, the corresponding economic loss will be $6.9 million. A 25% decline in visitors could result in a $17.3 million economic loss. It is believed that the actual loss will lie in between these two figures, both being significant to local businesses that already struggle during the off season to sustain themselves. Under current conditions, businesses in the Russian River area go under every year, so a revenue decline of this magnitude would certainly result in the closure of many more local businesses.

The impacts to the Sonoma County economy as a whole are also significant. Sonoma County welcomes 7.5 million visitors a year and 13% of those visitors are attracted to Armstrong Redwoods. Considering that the average length of stay for visitors is between 2 and 3 nights and that a visit to Armstrong Redwoods is a half-day experience, it promotes the visitor to spend an additional night in the county. It is estimated that the economic loss to Sonoma County would be between $51 and $78 million/year.

The govenor’s budget is proposing a $13.3 million budget cut for California State Parks. This figure pales in comparison to the millions of dollars that will be lost just in Sonoma County, not to mention all the other communities, cities, and counties across the state that will also become more economically depressed as a result of this shortsighted proposal to close our state parks.

Write your letter to the governor’s office today – SAVE OUR STATE PARKS for future generations!

PARK ADVOCACY DAY REPORT

Almost 60 park supporters took the Stewards bus to Park Advocacy Day on April 7th. We joined over 200 others for legislative meetings with both Democrats and Republicans. Our experiences were varied and surprising in some cases. Another 100 supporters joined us at noon for a rally on the west capital steps where we heard from a number of speakers including Amy Racina, who spoke about her personal experiences hiking in our state parks. Amy also put on a wonderful fund raiser for Stewards to help raise funds for our local campaign (see below). The day ended with presentations by the Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, and State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell. Many of those who attended Park Advocacy Day have shared stories and thoughts from their experience.
Click here to read their stories.

Click here for Photos from Park Advocacy Day

TOWNHALL MEETING - A great success!
Over 500 people showed up for the meeting on Thursday, March 13th from 7-9 pm at the Guerneville Vets Building. Representatives for many of our elected officials were in attendance.Those who attended included: 5th District Supervisor Mike Reilly, Former Senator Wesley Chesbro, Reps from Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Senator Wiggins, Assemblymember Berg, Senator Migden, and Assemblymember Huffman. We acquired 470 signatures on petitions and many people filled out postcards that we sent to the governor. It was suggested that personal letters to our legislators is the most affective way to lobby for our cause. As a result of the meeting a sub-committee was formed to look at the economic impacts to the Russian River area if Armstrong Redwoods and Austin Creek should close.
This event was sponsored by Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, the California State Parks Foundation, Supervisor Mike Reilly, Sonoma County Conservation Action, Coastwalk, KGGV FM, Russian River Chamber, EcoRing, Jim Maresca, Maddy Hirshfield, Lanny Keyston, Ken Fischang, Fern Grove Cottages.

HUMAN RACE FUNDRAISER
Thanks to Cameron Tully-Smith, a team of runners and walkers will be raising money for the Save Armstrong Redwoods campaign in Sonoma County's Human Race on May 10th. All the details about joining the team or making a donation can be found on the team website. Details about the Human Race itself can be found on their website. Visit this website for race details.

VIDEO - SAVE ARMSTRONG REDWOODS - Travis Mathews produced a great video to help save Armstrong Redwoods. It can be viewed at:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=P4h23D49Xf4

AMY RACINA FUNDRAISER - To Save Armstrong Redwoods & Austin Creek
Many thanks to Amy Racina for her wonderful efforts in putting together a very special evening to raise money for our campaign. Stewards' Board member Lisa Bacon thanked Amy following the event: "Saturday night was a truly special evening. Everyone who attended was deeply moved by your experience! Perhaps you did not see it from the podium, but many were moved to tears by your presentation! What an inspiration you are to so many. Thank you for sharing. $1194 total was raised for Stewards. How can we begin to express our heartfelt thanks for donating so generously of your time and energy to set up this fundraiser?  You greatly helped raise public awareness and virtually single-handedly put together the impressive raffle and silent auction. Your energy helps keep us focused and motivated. You are truly Stewards’ Angel in the Wilderness!"

Other Activiites:


Links to other sites supporting this issue are listed at the bottom of the page.

Organizational Partners mobilizing support include:
California State Parks Foundation
Sonoma County Conservation Action
Russian River Chamber of Commerce
Coastwalk
Save-the-Redwoods League

List of 48 proposed parks to close - including Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve and Austin Creek State Recreation Area
Lifeguard Staffing list - 50% reduction in lifeguards from Santa Cruz to San Diego