April 2016 - Parks & Recreation - 10

EDITOR'S LET TER

Where Will All the Flowers Go?
Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural
resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests
skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.
-Theodore Roosevelt
It is everywhere. Evident in the daily weather forecast, the stories and
political discussions gracing the pages and the airways of the news and
even in the whispers of parents as their children sleep. The need for
and the critical importance of conserving land, water, energy and an increasing amount of vulnerable species is everywhere. This issue of Parks
& Recreation speaks to this crucially significant and often controversial
topic and how the field of parks and recreation not only can, but also
will make a difference.
Slightly more than a year ago, NRPA launched its Parks for Monarchs campaign. This program has found support from park and recreation agencies throughout the country and on
page 52, Rich Dolesh, NRPA's vice president of conservation and parks, speaks to the progress of this initiative. Many park and recreation agencies are engaging in meaningful conservation efforts to save the monarch butterfly for future generations, taking information and
resources available through Parks for Monarchs and making an impact on their communities.
There has been a lot of news, as well as controversy, from The Golden State during the
past few months. In February, we witnessed President Barack Obama ordain three new
national monuments in the California desert. Collectively, Sand to Sea, Castle Mountains
and the Mojave Trails National Monuments contain more than 1.8 million acres of open
space and untainted vistas, countless sensitive species and many cultural settings of historical significance. Conservation and park enthusiast, Paula Jacoby-Garrett, brings each
of these natural wonders to life starting on page 48, in her piece, " Introducing California's
Newest National Monuments. "
The article, " California Coastal Access and Climate Justice for All, " starting on page
66, by civil rights attorney and conservation activist, Robert García, with Marce Gutiérrez-Graudinš and Amy Trainer, addresses the importance, the aftermath and the future
of the California Coastal Commission. This piece explores the influence, greed and
back-door politicking of big development. It speaks to the hunger of both those making
" the deals " and those who wish to serve as guardians of our public lands.
In the face of expanding development, economic uncertainty and climate change, effective
stewardship of our parks, open green spaces and waterways is more important than ever
before. The individuals and agencies highlighted in this issue are taking President Roosevelt's
words to heart and transforming that passion into action. NRPA aims to help through its ongoing conservation initiatives - learn how you can get involved at www.nrpa.org/conservation.

GINA MULLINS-COHEN
Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Publishing
Editorial Director
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Parks & Recreation

| A P R I L 2 0 1 6 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G

PRESIDENT AND CEO
Barbara Tulipane, CAE
VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING,
COMMUNICATIONS AND
PUBLISHING, AND EDITORIAL
DIRECTOR
Gina Mullins-Cohen
gcohen@nrpa.org
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Samantha Bartram
sbartram@nrpa.org
MANAGING EDITOR
Sonia Myrick
smyrick@nrpa.org
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Catrina Belt
cbelt@nrpa.org
PUBLICATION DESIGN
Creative By Design
www.creativebydesign.net
SENIOR SALES MANAGER
EASTERN REGION AND EUROPE
Dana Storm
703.858.2174
dstorm@nrpa.org
SALES MANAGER
WESTERN REGION AND ASIA
Michelle Dellner
949.248.1057
mdellner@nrpa.org
MAGAZINE ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
Mike Abbaté
Keith Anderson
Gerald Brown
Ernest Burkeen
Gwendolyn Chambers
Brendan Daley
Ryan Eaker
Mariela Fernandez
Robert García
Kathleen Gibi
Paul Gilbert
Sandra Gonzalez
Greg Harrison
Tim Herd
Mareya Ibrahim
Edward Krafcik
Todd Lehman
Sam Mendelsohn
Maria Nardi
Gil Peñalosa
Dr. Kevin Riley
Paula Sliefert
Anne-Marie Spencer
Stephen Springs
Randy Wiger

April 2016 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2016 - Parks & Recreation