SAN FRANCISCO – Forty-one state parks across California on Saturday, April 22, will be the focus of California State Parks Foundation’s (CSPF) 19^th Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup presented by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

In addition to being a presenting sponsor, PG&E employees, friends and family will be on hand at 10 state parks. More than 4,000 volunteers are needed to help with environmental improvement projects statewide.

California’s state parks receive great benefits from the work completed by volunteers during the annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup.

This year, food storage lockers at campgrounds will be installed prior to the busy summer season, fencing and gates will be repaired, native and drought tolerant vegetation will be planted, rain barrels will be installed and trash will be removed to

create a more welcoming and sustainable environment for visitors.

Businesses and individuals are needed to actively participate with their communities to help steward and care for California’s 280 treasured state parks..

“Earth Day is definitely one of my favorite days of the year. I am deeply moved to see people from across California working together to restore our treasured parks that are near and dear to us all,” said Susan Smartt, interim executive director of CSPF. “The out-pouring of support during this annual celebration makes a difference everyone can feel great about when they visit their favorite state park,” said Smartt.

PG&E is providing a $200,000 grant to CSPF for the supplies and materials needed to complete 10 Earth Day projects in Northern and Central California. Other sponsors include Target, Oracle, Edison International, Union Bank, Intel, The Nature Conservancy, and Microsoft.

“Over the many years that I have been involved with this event, I have been especially impressed with the dedication of my PG&E colleagues and how they involve their children and neighbors.  It teaches all of us respect for the parks and outdoors and instills a sense of good stewardship which is critical for the future of these resources,” said Tom Esser, a PG&E employee and volunteer who has participated for 15 years.

CSPF project sites across California:

• Angel Island State Park (PG&E sponsored) – Marin County
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park – San Diego County
• Asilomar State Beach – Monterey County
• Auburn State Recreation Area – Placer County
• Benicia State Recreation Area– Solano County
• California Citrus State Historic Park – Riverside County
• Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (PG&E sponsored) – San Francisco County
• Carlsbad State Beach – San Diego County
• Carmel River State Beach – Monterey County
• Castle Rock State Park – Santa Clara County
• China Camp State Park – Marin County
• Coast Dairies State Park, Panther Beach – Santa Cruz County
• Crystal Cove State Park – Orange County
• Cuyamaca Rancho State Park – San Diego County
• Doheny State Beach – Orange County
• Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (PG&E sponsored) – Sacramento County
• Grover Hot Springs State Park – Alpine County
• Half Moon Bay State Beach (PG&E sponsored) – San Mateo County
• Henry W. Coe State Park (PG&E sponsored) – Santa Clara County
• Huntington State Beach – Orange County
• Lake Perris State Recreation Area – Riverside County
• Lighthouse Field State Beach – Santa Cruz County
• Malibu Creek State Park – Los Angeles County
• McConnell State Recreation Area – Merced County
• Millerton Lake State Recreation Area (PG&E sponsored) – Fresno County
• Montaña de Oro State Park (PG&E sponsored)  – San Luis Obispo County

• Diablo State Park (PG&E sponsored) – Contra Costa County

• Natural Bridges State Beach – Santa Cruz County
• Portola Redwoods State Park – San Mateo County
• Rio de Los Angeles State Park – Los Angeles County
• Rio del Mar State Beach – Santa Cruz County
• San Clemente State Beach – Orange County
• San Elijo State Beach – San Mateo Campground – San Diego County
• San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park – San Diego County
• Sinkyone Wilderness State Park– Mendocino County
• Sonoma Coast State Beach (PG&E sponsored) – Sonoma County
• Sugarloaf Ridge State Park – Sonoma County
• Sunset State Beach Park, Palm Beach – Santa Cruz County
• Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Beach – San Diego County
• Trinidad State Beach – Humboldt County
• Twin Lakes State Beach, Seabright Cove – Santa Cruz County

Since its inception in 1998, CSPF’s Earth Day Restoration & Cleanup program has resulted in 83,785 participants contributing more than 334,301 volunteer hours’ worth nearly $6.6 million in park maintenance and improvements.  Additionally, nearly $5 million has been raised through the Earth Day program to benefit state parks and the millions of Californians who rely on them for recreation, education, and inspiration.

To volunteer on Earth Day, visit calparks.org/earthday or call 1-415-262-4400. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. Parking fees are waived for Earth Day volunteers.  In-kind sponsors include Subway Restaurants and Peet’s Coffee.

Media sponsors for 2017 include: KTVU-TV Channel 2 and KICU-TV, the Breeze 98.1, Half Moon Bay Review, Marin Independent Journal, Edible Silicon Valley and World Journal in San Francisco Bay Area; Santa Cruz Sentinel; the Sonoma Media Group including Froggy 92.9 and KSRO in Sonoma; KSOF-AM, Soft Rock 98.9 and KALZ in Fresno; Chino Hills Champion, San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times, The Capistrano Dispatch in Orange County; KLOVE/Air1, KKDO 94.7, KHITS, Entercom Sacramento, Auburn Journal and Folsom Telegraph in Sacramento; KSTT-FM and KVEC in San Luis Obispo; Riverside Press Enterprise in Riverside; and North County Sun, KSON, Sunny 98.1 and FM 94.9 in San Diego.