California will celebrate the opening of its first new state park in ten years this coming June, officials announced Monday, marking a significant expansion in the state’s public lands and a stride forward in its environmental commitments.
Governor Gavin Newsom revealed plans for the 1,600-acre Dos Rios Park, situated in the agricultural heart of the Central Valley, near the convergence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers. Surrounded by almond orchards and dairy pastures, the park will offer various recreational activities, including hiking and picnicking, with additional facilities for swimming and boating planned for future development.
Ali Manzo, a California State Parks interpreter and Central Valley native, emphasized the park’s role in community engagement and environmental appreciation. “Dos Rios is not just a park,” Manzo stated. “It’s a community treasure that offers peace, adventure and a vital connection to nature.”
The announcement was made on Earth Day, underscoring the state’s dedication to environmental issues. Newsom, alongside First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, attended the unveiling, highlighting the collaborative effort involved in the park’s development.
Furthering environmental goals, Newsom also introduced new targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from California’s natural landscapes. These initiatives aim to decrease wildfire risks, expand forest coverage, and restore wetlands, thereby advancing the state toward its 2045 goal of carbon neutrality.
The governor described these targets as “stretch goals” but noted significant progress in environmental management and policy. However, he did not provide specific metrics for success nor financial details regarding the implementation of these environmental targets.
The new environmental strategies stem from legislation signed by Newsom in 2022, which mandates the state Natural Resources Agency to collaborate with other agencies to formulate a plan for emission reductions from natural lands. Detailed actions include controlled vegetation burning to mitigate wildfire intensity, the planting of over four million trees, and the restoration of significant areas of grasslands and wetlands by 2045.
As per an Associated Press report, Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot called the focus on natural lands a “big deal,” pointing out that the state had previously concentrated more on reducing emissions from sectors such as energy. “We know we have to reduce pollution significantly, but we also need to improve the health of our landscapes to actually remove carbon dioxide from the air,” Crowfoot explained.
This emphasis on natural lands comes as part of California’s broader environmental strategy, which has seen nearly $9.6 billion invested since 2020 in climate-related initiatives using the state’s natural resources.
The state has also moved towards reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, with legislative actions that include phasing out the sale of new fossil fuel-powered cars, lawn mowers, large trucks transporting goods through ports, and diesel-powered trains.
The opening of Dos Rios Park represents not only an expansion of California’s public recreational spaces but also a pivotal moment in the state’s environmental stewardship, blending community engagement with significant policy shifts aimed at combating climate change and preserving natural landscapes for future generations.
Featured image by Office of Governor Newsom via www.gov.ca.gov