Friends Of Santa Cruz State Parks Honored For ‘Commitment Above And Beyond’ To State Parks
SANTA CRUZ — Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks today announced the organization was honored with the Dewitt Award for Partnership at the annual State Park Director’s Awards Recognition Program on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 in Sacramento.
The award is named for John Dewitt (1937-1996) who was Executive Director of Save the Redwoods League and devoted his life to the protection of public lands. The award recognizes “commitment above and beyond the call of duty over a substantial period of time” and “recognizes those who have served as irreplaceable partners in the accomplishment of the State Parks Mission.”
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is an entrepreneurial nonprofit sustaining the legacy of our state parks and beaches. Through an innovative partnership with California State Parks known as “The Friends Model,” and by leveraging local community support, Friends has provided millions of dollars of funding for educational programs, visitor services and capital projects.
“This award well and truly belongs to every one of the Friends board, staff, community volunteers and State Parks professionals who put the ideal of partnership into practice every day,” said Bonny Hawley, Executive Director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.
Founded in 1976, Friends is passionately dedicated to the preservation of the region’s spectacular natural environment and rich cultural history. Friends supports more than 32 State Parks and Beaches in Santa Cruz County and coastal San Mateo County.
The inaugural Partnership Award was presented to Dewitt more than a decade ago. After his death, the award was renamed for Dewitt, who made wide-ranging contributions to the California State Parks System in his lifetime including political support and his own labor. The award now honors both his legacy and its annual recipient.
Friends supports dozens of state parks and beaches in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties and operates six ParkStores, offering nature- and history-themed merchandise for sale to benefit local parks and beaches. ParkStore locations include Natural Bridges, New Brighton, Santa Cruz Mission, Seacliff, Wilder Ranch and Online. Learn more at ThatsMyPark.org or via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.
Award Photo: State Parks Sector Supt Kirk Lingenfelter, Friends exec dir Bonny Hawley and State Parks Director Jackson.