Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks (Friends) is a local non-profit organization that partners with
California State Parks to ensure that local parks and beaches are thriving and accessible to all.
Founded in 1976, Friends is dedicated to the preservation of our natural environment and rich
cultural history. Friends has provided millions of dollars of funding for educational programs,
visitor services and capital projects through their “Friends Model”. The model extends the reach
of State Parks in the areas of education and interpretation, capital improvements, park
maintenance and public safety. Furthermore, Friends is investing 100 percent of its’ net proceeds
back into local parks. They have earned the 2018 Platinum Seal of Transparency from
Guidestar, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. This is a great opportunity for
volunteers interested in spending time outdoors with opportunities ranging from volunteering at
Pigeon Point Light Station to helping keep park trails maintained. Check out
https://www.thatsmypark.org/about/our-story/ for information on how to become a volunteer
with their partner state parks.