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. California State Parks and the Central Coast State Parks Association need your help to continue this benefit offered to schools and their students. Learn more about the school group programs here.

Your generous gift helps raise awareness about the plight of the western monarch butterfly. With their species at a drastic decline since the 1980s, outreach and education is more important than ever. We help fund interpretive panels, advocate for the rehabilitation of overwintering sites, and promote the use of native and pollinator-friendly plants to in order to protect and preserve the western monarch. If specified to do so, your donation can even support the Western Monarch Trail, a nation-wide collaborative project managed by CCSPA. Thank you for your support and for helping us spread our wings!

When you choose this as your program of support, you are contributing to the success of our conservation and restoration efforts. Programs like SeaLife Stewards, Sea Otter Experience, Pismo clam outreach, habitat restoration, and more all benefit from your donation. CCSPA also supports and sustains efforts to preserve species of concern like the western snowy plover, black oystercatcher, and more.

As educators, the work of State Park Interpreters, docents, and volunteers is continually evolving, and ongoing training is essential. While California State Parks believes in supporting continuing education for their staff, these are funds that often get cut during tight budgets. Please consider supporting the continuing education of our interpreters and volunteers.

Educational opportunities are offered at all 10 of the California State Parks in San Luis Obispo County. For many, some of our fondest memories are attending the campfire program offered at our favorite campground. Today many of us still enjoy the comradery of a guided birding hike or reading an interpretive sign to learn about the natural resources on a new trail or park. Visitors can enjoy in-person and virtual programming such as Adventures with Nature, Junior Ranger and campfire programs during the summer, Virtual Mind Walks, and pop-up outreach events throughout the year. Together we can continue to support the wonderful programming offered at each of our Central Coast State Parks.

Help support the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, Spooner Ranch House, and Oceano Dunes Visitor Center! CCSPA funds exhibit upgrades, additions, and programs that inform children and adults alike about our incredible parks. We also sponsor multiple traveling exhibits hosted at the Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History and Spooner Ranch House in order to expand the interpretive opportunities and topics available at these locations. With your support, these facilities will continue to provide meaningful, memorable educational opportunities for the thousands of visitors who come to them each year.

Our cultural and natural history is an integral part of who we are and should not be forgotten. State Park historians, archaeologists, interpreters, docents, and volunteers provide a valuable glimpse into our past. Together we can continue to support keeping our past alive through the art of storytelling. Your donation helps support living history at the Spooner Ranch House and Northern Chumash and Salinan education at our local State Parks.

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 here.