Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Assocation

Chino Hills State Park Interpretive
Association’s (CHSPIA) mission is to enhance public awareness of the importance
of maintaining and restoring the unique natural habitat within Chino Hills
State Park (CHSP), through interpretive and educational activities.

CHSPIA is a volunteer based non-profit
organization that assists the California Department of Parks and Recreation in
maintaining and restoring Chino Hills State Park. Through interpretive programs and volunteer
support designed to enhance visitor experiences, CHSPIA also fosters appreciation
and the enlightened use of the State Park.All funds raised go directly to CHSPIA to support interpretive
activities, events, and other programs, including education on the importance
of this natural area.

In the last year, CHSPIA is proud of the following accomplishments:
- Provided on-site watershed and environmental education for over 600 third and fourth graders.
- Organized an Earth Day event for over 130 volunteers in which a retaining wall was built, amphitheater benches were sanded and sealed, and non-native vegetation was removed from the campground.
- Provided the following events for the public:
- Nature of Wildworks wildlife education
- Meet the Night Sky astronomy event
- Native Plant Trail Restoration and Planting
- Purchased and installed 20 trail signs
In the next year, we have the following goals:
- Continue and expand the school education program.
- Install 20 remaining trail signs from prior purchase.
- Purchase and install 40 additional trail signs.
- Purchase and install visitor counter system at Park entrances to count actual numbers of park visitors.
- Continue to provide interpretive events and maintenance opportunities for the public.

CHSPIA has the following needs:  - Funding of the schoolchild on-site education program.  Size of program is dependent on funding levels.  - Recruitment of volunteers in the Park, including needs for trail maintenance and Discovery Center docents. 

Within Orange County, the Park is abutted by the cities of Brea and Yorba Linda. But is within a short distance of the Park are the cities of La Habra, Placentia, Fullerton, and Anaheim.
In addition, as a park of 14,000 acres, the Park receives visitors from throughout the County.

By being a part of the Chino Hills State Park Interpretive Association, we have the ability to take part in something that will outlast us. Chino Hills State Park is located in an ecologically crucial location for the genetic health of many species native to southern California. It also has over 90 miles of multi-use trails. Our task is to insure that the balance between visitors and the wildlife who live there is maintained. We do this through interpretation, education, and providing information. We want to leave this jewel to future generations of people and wildlife.

By being part of a nine member board, I get to see a variety of perspectives and experiences. It is a delight to be able to identify an issue that we want to tackle and have multiple board members propose solutions based on actual previous experiences. As some one who lives near the Park and visits the Park often, it has been a large part of my life. To be able to be part of its continued viability and try to make it better is what motivates me and why I wanted to be on the Board to begin with. It is very satisfying to be able to share that passion with the rest of the Board and work together as a group.