A Farewell from MendoParks' Executive Director Elizabeth Cameron
Water is Life, Land is Ceremony, Everything is Sacred
As soon as I learned of MendoParks I knew that this was an organization that I wanted to work with, not only because these are the parks I know and love, but because I believe in the power of parks to heal, restore, and nourish ourselves and our communities. In April 2019, I was provided with an opportunity to humbly serve MendoParks as the Executive Director.
Along with an incredible team of volunteer Board of Directors and our Operations Manager, Cindy Richards, we have made leaps and bounds in organizational development, diversification of funding support, expansion of programs and services, and creation of new outreach programs for historically underrepresented communities.
Most importantly, however, is the work we have done building relationships with each and every one of you in support of our beautiful State Parks in Mendocino County. These relationships have built the foundation for the projects that are most near and dear to my heart— From the tile art mural at the Ford House restrooms to the Pomo Pages in our Park Adventure Coast Kits to new interpretive panels at Van Damme and MacKerricher State Parks, as well as regular listening sessions with tribal members and support for tribal members to visit State Parks (thanks to support from the Community Foundation of Mendocino County!), these projects hold a special place in my heart as they amplify the continuous Indigenous presence in parks and acknowledge the Northern Pomo, Coastal Pomo, Cahto, and Yuki tribes as the original caretakers of these unceded territories since the beginning of time.
As many know, Indigenous advocacy is the heart of my work both personally and professionally. People often ask why I am so passionate about Indigenous advocacy, and the answer is simple: It's because I love the land. And it is because of my love of the land, and my acknowledgment that I am an uninvited guest on unceded tribal territories, that I understand that the best way for me to be a good caretaker of the land is by supporting the Indigenous people whose lands now host me.
I believe that connecting with nature helps us understand our greater purpose in life and brings much-needed balance to our contemporary human existence that is full of nonstop notifications, anxiety-creating news, and extreme polarities. The time we spend in nature helps us reconnect to ourselves and to others in profound ways that heal, restore, and nourish our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional selves.
At this time in my career, I am being reconnected with an Indigenous organization that I supported many years ago and therefore my time with MendoParks will be coming to an end as I accept this opportunity to be in service to an organization that aligns even more deeply with my passions: environmental stewardship & Indigenous advocacy.
What I said in 2019 when I first joined MendoParks resonates even more deeply with each passing year: Our Parks take care of you, please join us as we take care of our Parks.
Our beautiful State Parks in Mendocino County bring so much joy and I hope that you all continue to visit, love and care for them through your support of MendoParks.
Because these are the places that we remember water is life, land is ceremony and everything [*in nature] is sacred.
Thank you all for joining me these last few years. It has been an honor to serve this organization.
Cindy (left) and Elizabeth at the Mendocino Headlands
With Gratitude,
Elizabeth Cameron
What's Next?
Elizabeth created a strong and wonderful MendoParks in her years with us. As we move into the space without her and adjust to what the organization will become, we lean on the legacy Elizabeth left. We are confident that, with this base to draw from, we will continue to move forward with a force that is unstoppable.
As we head into that bright future, we welcome our very own Cindy Richards into the role of Interim Director.
Cindy is an integral part of the MendoParks team and we are thrilled she has agreed to lead us into the next phase of our future.
Stay tuned for more news and updates as we continue our journey.
The parks need your support. Become a member today!
Become a MendoParks Member and help bring education and improvements to our parks.
Thank you to all of our Park Angels, volunteers, donors, members and everyone who supports MendoParks.