Save Our State Parks Campaign Incorporated in Wild & Scenic
The South Yuba River Citizens League is taking action to keep the South Yuba River and Malakoff Diggins State Park open. By uniting our community around the rallying cry, “People Can Save the Parks!” we act as the umbrella organization to protect the river we love. The Save our State Parks Campaign is incorporated in our Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Two films and a workshop discuss the proposed closures of California State Parks. We hope these films and partner organizations, such as the California State Parks Foundation, will inspire activism to directly better the Yuba River and our community.
Join us Saturday, January 14, 3-4pm for The Future of California State Parks, a free workshop held at our Activist Center in the Nevada City City Hall. Learn about the latest updates on the State Park closures and other issues effecting California State Parks from a panel of local and regional experts. Panelists will include Elizabeth Goldstein, President of the California State Parks Foundation; Caleb Dardick, Executive Director of the South Yuba River Citizens League; Caryl Hart, Chair of the California State Parks Commission & Director of Sonoma County Regional Parks; and David Vassar, Director of California Forever. Through this interesting and motivating panel we hope that you will join us to save these parks to protect the greater Yuba watershed.
Two of our 2012 official selections for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival discuss the proposed closures of California State Parks. The First 70, is a three minute teaser for a film in progress by Heath Hen Films. The film follows the journey of three young filmmakers traveling to each of the 70 parks marked for closure. Covering thousands of miles in a converted airport shuttle bus, the group filmed the stories of the people that depend on the parks and documented their own three-month road trip. It may be the last time people are legally allowed to enter these exquisite parks and The First 70 depicts what is being lost to save a mere $22 million a year. Watch The First 70 at Nevada City Elementary Saturday Evening and at the Osborn Woods Hall in Miners Foundry Sunday Morning.
California Forever is a 75-minute documentary celebrating the beauty, drama and sweeping history of California State Parks, the most magnificent and diverse collection of state parks in the nation. The story of California State Parks holds the key moments within the history of conservation in America. The plot intersects with many important victories that saved much of California’s most cherished landscape and in the process, inspired the creation of the National Park Service. Filmmakers David Vassar and Sally Kaplan will be speaking in conjunction with their film, along with crew members, Chris Tufty, Christian White & Joeann Edmonds. Watch California Forever at Nevada Elementary, Saturday evening or in the Osborn/Woods Hall in Miners Foundry on Sunday morning.
The California State Park Foundation will be in the lobby following the films to answer questions and to help you become involved. The California State Park Foundation (CSPF) is the only statewide independent nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and advocating for California’s magnificent state parks. Since 1969, CSPF has raised more than $170 million to benefit state parks. CSPF is committed to improving the quality of life for all Californians by expanding access to the natural beauty, rich culture and history, and recreational and educational opportunities offered by California’s 278 state parks—the largest state park system in the United States.
Since our theme for this year celebrates “A Decade of Activism”, it is fitting that we incorporate the fight to save California State Parks in our festival. Join our community and become involved to save our parks or one of the many other issues addressed in the Wild & Scenic Film Festival.
