State parks, PG&E seek volunteers for Earth Day
SAN FRANCISCO — On April 22, more than three dozen state parks across California will be the focus of California State Parks Foundation’s 19th annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup, presented by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
More than 4,000 volunteers are needed to help with environmental improvement projects statewide.
The work completed by volunteers during CSPF’s annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup brings great benefits to the parks.
This year, food storage lockers at campgrounds will be installed prior to the busy summer season, fencing and gates will be repaired, native and drought-tolerant vegetation will be planted, rain barrels will be installed and trash will be removed to create a more welcoming and sustainable environment for visitors.
“Earth Day is definitely one of my favorite days of the year. I am deeply moved to see people from across California working together to restore our treasured parks that are near and dear to us all,” said Susan Smartt, interim executive director of CSPF. “The outpouring of support during this annual celebration makes a difference everyone can feel great about when they visit their favorite state park.”
PG&E is providing a $200,000 grant to CSPF for the supplies and materials needed to complete 10 Earth Day projects in Northern and Central California. Other sponsors include Target, Oracle, Edison International, Union Bank, Intel, The Nature Conservancy, and Microsoft. In-kind sponsors include Subway Restaurants and Peet’s Coffee.
In addition to being a presenting sponsor, PG&E employees, friends, and family will be on hand at 10 state parks.
“Over the many years that I have been involved with this event, I have been especially impressed with the dedication of my PG&E colleagues and how they involve their children and neighbors,” said Tom Esser, a PG&E employee and volunteer who has participated for 15 years. “It teaches all of us respect for the parks and outdoors and instills a sense of good stewardship which is critical for the future of these resources.”
PG&E will be sponsoring projects at
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area in Sacramento County, as well as several parks in the Bay Area. Mt. Diablo State Park will also be the site of a cleanup and restoration project.
Since its inception in 1998, more than 83,000 volunteers have contributed more than 330,000 hours to the Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup program. This has saved the state of California nearly $6.6 million in park maintenance and improvement costs.
Additionally, nearly $5 million has been raised through the Earth Day program to benefit state parks and the millions of Californians who rely on them for recreation, education, and inspiration.
The California State Parks Foundation is a member-supported nonprofit dedicated to protecting and improving state parks and expanding access to their natural beauty, rich culture and history, and recreational and educational opportunities for all Californians.