California

About The Show

California State Parks

Our Mission:
To provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

California Department of Parks and Recreation manages more than 270 park units, which contain the finest and most diverse collection of natural, cultural, and recreational resources to be found within California. These treasures are as diverse as California: >From the last stands of primeval redwood forests to vast expanses of fragile desert; from the lofty Sierra Nevada to the broad sandy beaches of our southern coast; and from the opulence of Hearst Castle to the vestiges of colonial Russia.

California State Parks contains the largest and most diverse natural and cultural heritage holdings of any state agency in the nation. State park units include underwater preserves, reserves, and parks; redwood, rhododendron, and wildlife reserves; state beaches, recreation areas, wilderness areas, and reservoirs; state historic parks, historic homes, Spanish era adobe buildings, including museums, visitor centers, cultural reserves, and preserves; as well as lighthouses, ghost towns, waterslides, conference centers, and off-highway vehicle parks. These parks protect and preserve an unparalleled collection of culturally and environmentally sensitive structures and habitats, threatened plant and animal species, ancient Native American sites, historic structures and artifacts . . . the best of California's natural and cultural history.

Responsible for almost one-third of California's scenic coastline, California State Parks manages the states finest coastal wetlands, estuaries, beaches, and dune systems. Our workplace consists of nearly 1.4 million acres, with over 280 miles of coastline; 625 miles of lake and river frontage; nearly 15,000 campsites; and 3,000 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.

Check out our TV show and videos today!

About The Agency

Director of California State Parks Ruth Coleman

Ruth Coleman currently serves as Director of California State Parks.

She was appointed Chief Deputy for California State Parks in January 2002, after having joined the department in December 1999 as Deputy Director for Legislation.

Before coming to State Parks, Ms. Coleman worked as Policy Director for Assemblywoman Helen Thomson for one year, responsible for legislative issues relating to water, agriculture and land use. Prior to that she was Legislative Director for State Senator Mike Thompson, coordinating his legislative agenda and providing staff leadership on major environmental legislation such as a park bond, salmon and steelhead restoration; and the protection of the Headwaters Forest.

Ms. Coleman also has worked for the Air Resources Board in the electric vehicle program and the Office of the Legislative Analyst, focusing on fiscal and policy issues in the natural resources area, particularly the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Game. Prior to her work in Sacramento, she spent three years teaching mathematics as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Swaziland, Southern Africa.

Ms. Coleman received her Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, and a B.A. in Economics from Occidental College.

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New York man attacked in own backyard said he thought angry deer "wanted to kill me."