California Green Stimulus Coalition Green Space and Equal Justice

Los Angeles State Historic Park, slated to be closed.

The California Green Stimulus Coalition presents the following recommendations on green space and equal justice in the attached Recommendations Report.  Haga click aqui par ver el reporte sobre las recomendaciones en Español.

1. Park Poor- Park projects in communities that are both park poor and economically poor should receive top priority over other projects.

2. Multiple Benefits- Park projects that address physical, psychological and social health needs should receive priority.

3. Joint Use- Projects for the joint and shared use of parks, schools, and pools should receive priority, as they are important to expand open space opportunities in densely developed communities. Multi-benefit green spaces can clean the air and water, provide flood control, promote climate justice, and convert toxic sites and brownfields to green fields.

4. Environmental Benefits- The enormous environmental benefits of parks and natural open spaces should be highly valued, including clean air, clean water, habitat protection, shade, rain absorption and soil erosion reduction. Green spaces help reduce the carbon footprint by producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide, which cuts down on global warming.

5. Conservation Corps- Conservation Corps job programs should be strengthened and expanded in order to keep young people in school, physically active and healthy, and out of gangs. The Corps also lead to permanent jobs and careers as stewards of the environment.

6. Public Art Projects- Public art projects should reflect diversity, democracy, and freedom. Studies such as Five Views published by the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the National Park Service offer guidelines on diversity and its manifestations on the land. Native American sacred sites must be preserved.

7. Transit to Trails- Transportation funding should support transit to trails as alternatives to highway transportation in order to provide access to parks, mountains, and beaches.

8. Invest in Justice.

9. Keep State Parks Open for All.

The California Green Stimulus Coalition is an alliance of dozens of California’s most influential and respected organizations advocating for the environment, economic justice, organized labor and a strong workforce system.

As California decides how to use its federal stimulus dollars, we are advocating for investments that advance California’s long term environmental goals; create high quality jobs and lead to high road economic development; and provide for truly shared prosperity instead of reinforcing or deepening social and economic disparities.

The complete list of the California Green Stimulus Coalition members, and the overarching principles and policy recommendations, are available on the web at californiagreenstimulus.org.

Roosevelt Elk at the Sinkyone State Wilderness Park on the Lost Coast Wilderness, slated to be closed.