The 1997 Honorary
California State Park Ranger recipient is L.W. "Bill"
Lane. Bill has been a staunch parks advocate for well over half a century. As former publisher of Sunset magazine, Bill brought park issues to the forefront of public attention in countless editorials and articles. He used the powerful medium of print to promote conservation and parks in California. Bill and Sunset invited and encouraged readers to take action and participate in securing parks that remain protected for present and future generations.
Working innumerable hours with our political policy makers, Bill sought the passage of pro-park legislation on both the state and national levels. He transcends political lines to achieve bipartisan support of our most precious cultural and natural resources.
Bill has served on the Secretary of the Interior's Advisory Board and Council on National Parks. He was Chairman of the President's National Parks Centennial Commission and served as a member of the National Park Service's 75th Anniversary Committee and been recognized by the National Parks and Conservation Association as Conservationist of the Year.
His commitment to parks is also demonstrated in his financial support. A trustee for the California State Parks Foundation since 1990, Bill has made major contributions to fund special projects such as the Leland Stanford Mansion SHP, the Foundation's video, Coming Home to California, and the effort to raise awareness of California State Parks and its volunteers through televised presentation on Bay Area Backroads State Parks Special.
Bill's love of Nature and his desire to share this with others has been a strong force throughout his life. "Parks are symbols of the character and values of our nation." These are Bill Lane's words and actions.
Recognition as an Honorary California State Park Ranger is an especially fitting way to honor his accomplishments in educating and serving the public in California State Parks.
