Deception Pass State Park needs your help to retain an interpretive expert for public education.
Action Needed TODAY!
Update 4/21/10
WASHINGTON STATE PARKS and RECREATION COMMISSION TO MEET IN MONTESANO ON MAY 6TH, 9:30 am.
Deception Pass State Park thought it had found a creative way to keep the Interpretive position at the Park until early next year by using money it generated through special sales - and normally subject to Park discrection for spending.
However, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will not allow these funds to be used for this purpose. This means that as of June 30th there will no longer be an Interpreter at one of the most visited parks in the WEST (close to two million visitors a year). Why does this matter, especially in tough economic times such as these? Because without the Interpreter - more accurately described as “Educator” - the condition of the park has the potential to deteriorate quickly.
SOME POINTS TO CONSIDER:
- The Rosario Field classroom construction starts in September. It will be closed to the public without an interpreter.
- The Kiket Island acquisition is educationally focused and, in fact, has the requirement for education attached with its acceptance.
- Existing programs at the park – with the higly valued benefit of over 16,000 face to face educational encounters - will not continue.
- There are five Interpretive Specialists on staff at Cape Disappointment State Park, and Deception Pass – which is the most visited, iconic, State Park in the West - will have none.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Write Washington State Senator, Mary Margaret Haugen to persuade her to have the Commissioners take another look at what they recommended to the legislature.
- Write the Governor.
- Attend the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission meeting in Montesano (towards Aberdeen) on MAY 6TH, 9:30 am.
- Write a letter to the Commissioners to have in their hands prior to the meeting – the earlier the better. If the Commissioners don’t get them at least a week before the meeting, there is little chance they will be read.
Commission Mailing Address:
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commissioners
1111 Israel Rd. S.W.
Olympia, WA. 98501
Thank you for your help preserving this valuable resource!
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