Meeting eyes operations at three state parks

The annual public meeting to discuss the past year’s operations at Jack London State Historic Park, Sugarloaf State Park and Austin Creek State Recreation Area will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Sonoma Land Trust Offices, 822 Fifth St., Santa Rosa.

These qualified nonprofits entered into operating agreements with California State Parks to manage parks that were on the closure list. Operators include Valley of the Moon Natural History Association for Jack London State Historic Park, Sonoma Ecology Center (Team Sugarloaf) for Sugarloaf State Park and Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods for Austin Creek State Recreation Area.

These nonprofit organizations see a future for partnerships that utilize the expertise of each of the partners for management models that best serve the citizens of California.

The public is invited to hear short presentations about each annual report and then engage in a discussion, which will be moderated by Laurel Dixon of the Parks Alliance of Sonoma County. These nonprofit organizations/park operators have submitted annual reports to California State Parks to:

Showcases accomplishments;

Highlight projects where the partnership has proven valuable;

Discuss challenges looking to the future.

The event is open to the public and no reservations are required. For more information, contact Lauren Dixon, from Parks Alliance for Sonoma County at lauren@parksalliance.com or call 583-9203.

Refreshments will be served at 5 p.m. and the presentations are from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.