The Central Coast State Parks Association proudly funds the following program areas.

The Mind Walks Lecture Series features a variety of subjects from experts covering topics aimed at stretching the mind of the avid lifelong learner. This series offers monthly educational opportunities devoted to recreational, natural, and cultural history topics as they relate to the Central Coast. The Mind Walks Program is underwritten by the Thomas E. and Mary Kathryn Eltzroth fund and supported by the Central Coast State Parks Association. Learn more about the series here.

Adventures with Nature programs are guided walks and talks facilitated by California State Park Staff and Volunteers. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. These fun, free programs are exploratory in nature, revolving around cultural and natural resources in the coastal California State Parks in San Luis Obispo County. No dogs, please. Rain and/or inclement weather will cancel all outdoor events. For a full list of upcoming events, please check our event calendar.

The Mary Kay Eltzroth Internship Fund provides support to students selected for an internship with the California State Parks of San Luis Obispo County and/or with the Central Coast State Parks Association. This internship provides career development opportunities and hands-on experiences in areas such as curation, interpretation, environmental education, recreation management, communications and community engagement. The internship fund will provide a stipend in appreciation of the intern’s time, talents, and effort. Learn more and contribute here.

Historically, CCSPA has been able to restore the Spooner Ranch House to it’s former glory, and completely revamp the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History (MBMNH) . During 2024, we will be working to fund the complete replacement of the fencing at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Grove. This will allow for a safer experience for our human and western monarch butterfly visitors!

CCSPA provides funding towards the transportation costs incurred when school groups travel to our parks for field trips. These trips occur out of the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, and the Oceano Dunes Visitor Center at Pismo State Beach and reach thousands of students annually. The field trips are led by our highly trained State Park interpreters and volunteers and are free of charge. However, the cost to transport the students to our sites is often prohibitive for many schools. The grants provide a reimbursement for up to 50-100% of the transportation cost for schools serving lower income and underprivileged students. Learn more about the school group programs here.

The Central Coast State Parks Association’s 2024 focus for traveling exhibits and exhibit upgrades includes adding two new exhibits to the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History by the end of 2025, as well as brining back the Pioneer Women of the Central Coast exhibit to the Spooner Ranch House September 2024! To learn more about these projects, follow this link!