Who is CSPRA?

California State Park Rangers Association

CSPRA is the the group responsible for suing the State Parks, TTC and Jack London Park Partners.  They are cause of this entire headache and continue to be a potential aggravator.  Our opinion is that the purpose of their lawsuit is self-serving and has nothing to do with the environment or TTC.  They are against nonprofits running State Parks, potentially replacing jobs from their members, even if the program has been a huge success in the parks, saved millions, and expanded park hours and experiences for Californians.

Please note that term CSPRA does not refer to all State Park Rangers.  It is a membership only, nonprofit organization, of former and current State Park employees and Rangers.   We should be clear to not refer to them as “The Rangers” as this misrepresents those rangers not associated with CSPRA.

Everything CSPRA is doing with this lawsuit to harm our nonprofits has cast a dark shadow on all park rangers, the CSPRA organization,  and State Parks.  Their group is now looked at in a negative light by the community and citizens of California that have benefited from the nonprofit model of operating State Parks.  This lawsuit targeted our park, our community, and the arts, specifically to hinder the operation of JLSHP by a nonprofit.  The majority of their lawsuit was thrown out with the exception of the requirement for a CEQA review moving forward.

We have no issue with the requirement for a CEQA review, however due to their lawsuit, the review process is now taking much longer to complete because of the intense legal levels of detail required to complete what should be a simple process.  Everyone understands that TTC and JLPP have done performances in the park for 10 years with minimal impact and not only preserved, but enhanced, the integrity of the ruins and the park.  

The parks belong to the people of California and we should be able to decide how we manage them.   Despite a fight by CSPRA to stop nonprofits managing parks, the California SB 668 bill, advanced by our own Senator Bill Dodd, passed easily.  It extends indefinitely, the ability of the state Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into agreements with nonprofits to help operate and maintain park facilities, improving parks and saving money.

CSPRA “In Their Own Words”

CSPRA Info, Quotes, and Contact Information from their website:

https://www.cspra.com

Why CSPRA was created:

“an organization was needed that could represent the interests of rangers to park management”

Source - 50 years of history - CSPRA website.

CSPRA Mission Statement

The California State Park Rangers Association is an organization of park professionals dedicated to advancement of the highest principles of public service, and established to support, protect, and defend the integrity of State Parks for present and future generations.

Quotes from CSPRA.com

“We have very good news about the Jack London legal action that began way back in September 2019 after, a CSPRA member brought forward concerns about resource protection and failure to meet CEQA compliance requirements. After extensive deliberation, CSPRA filed a petition of objection.”

“With this successful outcome, CEQA requirements must be adhered to for future performances in the Old Winery Ruins at Jack London SHP. This justifies CSPRA’s difficult decision to take these legal steps. I congratulate the CSPRA officers and Board on this ruling that stood up for protection of state park natural and cultural resources.”

“performances by theTranscendence Theater moved to a venue outside ofJack London SHP, as the CEQA analysis required by last year’s court order is not yet completed.”

“The proper way to manage parks is with dedicated, trained park professionals operating the units of the State Park System.”

“The State Park system has had a long and positive relationship with volunteer organizations, but releasing control for entire operations was a different and problematic step.”

“CSPRA’s concern is with Operating Agreements that out-source full operation of State Park units, versus the co-management approach, and that we also opposed the indefinite extension of the authorization.”

CSRPA BOARD CONTACTS

PRESIDENT

Dave Carle, Retired Ranger (760) 709-1181 dave@cspra.com

Mike Lynch, President of CSPRA when lawsuit was filed & advisor to board lynchcspra@gmail.com

VICE PRESIDENT

Ann Meneguzzi, Retired, Sup. Rgr. (209) 373-9844, ann@cspra.com

SECRETARY

Joanne Kerbavaz, Environmental Scientist, (650) 720-5007, joanne@cspra.com

TREASURER

Ron Krueper, Retired Ranger/Supt.(909) 838-8249, ron@cspra.com

DIRECTORS

Sal Goshorn, Ret Lifeguard (626) 644-4616, sal@cspra.com

Jean Rhyne, Interpreter, (661)753-6233, jean@cspra.com

Cindy Begbie, Maint. Chief, Ret. (559) 908-6702, cindy@cspra.com

Steve Ptomey, Interpreter, 559.972.5844, steve@cspra.com

Jonathan Irwin, Ranger SPPO, (619) 575-3613‬‬‬x337, jon@cspra.com

Sue Neary, Sup. Ranger, Ret. (831) 428-1535, sue@cspra.com

Rob Pickeit, Supervising Ranger (661)618-6924, rob@cspra.com