History and Accomplishments of CSPRA
written by retired member Doug Bryce, 1998

The idea for an organization like CSPRA had been discussed now and again for several years, but the spark that ignited the organization was struck at a park supervisors' meeting held in Columbia in the winter of 1964. The issue was a proposal that rangers in historic parks be required to wear period dress. The rangers at Columbia felt that no one would be able to tell them from the local townspeople. It was decided that an organization was needed that could represent the interests of rangers to park management, and with the help of several persons and the California State Employees Association that organization was formed.

On November 4, 1964, CSPRA held its first meeting of the Board of Directors. In the fall of 1965 the first annual conference was held at Asilomar. In 1967, CSPRA was incorporated as a professional organization and two years later it was recognized by the state as an authorized representative of the members.

In 1978, with the passage of the Employee-Employer Relations Bill, CSPRA became a professional organization only. Since 1979 CSPRA membership has been open to all state park employees, and now includes trades and maintenance workers, resource ecologists, guides, district interpretive specialists, and office technicians to name a few. Employees from all disciplines support the advocacy work that CSPRA does for state parks.

Over the past 34 years CSPRA has accomplished many tasks and achieved some important goals. CSPRA has been in the forefront of many environmental battles. Some of the many accomplishments include arguing for Pescadero Marsh reclassification from park to reserve status, successfully urging that the Off-Highway Vehicle units be included as part of the current state park system, rather than creating a separate OHV department, and support of various initiatives such as the California bottle bill and a ban against offshore oil drilling.

Since 1974, CSPRA has strongly lobbied in support of all Park Bond Acts and initiatives. In 1988 CSPRA continued to lead in the effort to maintain the integrity of the State Park System by establishing the SAVE BODIE! Committee. This committee worked hard for nine years to prevent the mining of Bodie Bluff. This has been the largest project undertaken by CSPRA and is considered to be California's largest statewide historic preservation battle of the 20th century.

Just as CSPRA is concerned about the resources of the State Park System we are also concerned about individual members. Since 1967 CSPRA has been providing scholarships to its members. Since its creation CSPRA has provided relief for its members in times of disaster or personal tragedy. Keeping the spirit of the park family alive is one of CSPRA's most important objectives.

Together with the Park Rangers Association of California, CSPRA sponsors an Annual California Parks Conference, attracting park professionals from many agencies throughout the state. CSPRA publishes a bi-monthly newsletter as well as a web page, to keep members up-to-date on current issues and trends.

In the 1990's, we began sponsoring an annual Retirees Rendezvous in the early fall. This has helped keep our retired members together and more in touch with CSPRA. The last decade of the century has been a very difficult time for park professionals with tighter budgets and ever-increasing demands on the park heritage. As the population has continued to grow and pressure to find prime land for development has increased, the pressure on parks has also continued to increase.

More than ever CSPRA and its members are needed to serve as the conscience for the Department of Parks and Recreation, and to do everything they can to maintain the integrity of our natural, historical, and cultural heritage.