In this era of reduced government funding—which will be with us for many years—a new paradigm for funding many of the beyond-the-basics benefits the public enjoys, such as the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, needs to be found, so that the tragic results, as reported by the Sacramento Bee, can be reduced.
One hopes the good folks involved with providing leadership to the Center--a group I was once part of--may find a way to save a service enjoyed by many in the community.
An excerpt.
“The Effie Yeaw Nature Center, an icon of the American River Parkway that has served generations of families, may be shut down April 1 because of budget cuts.
“The center in Ancil Hoffman Park in Carmichael, which provides classes, wild animal exhibits and other programs attended by thousands of people each year, has been recommended for closure by Sacramento County parks officials desperate to trim expenses.
"I don't want to shut it down," said Jill Ritzman, the county's deputy parks director. "I've been here for 20 years and this is heartbreaking for all of us."
“The proposed closure will be debated next week before the county Board of Supervisors, which is considering how to carry out a new round of budget cuts.
“Effie Yeaw employees and supporters learned the center was in peril at a meeting Wednesday night, and were told they would be notified by March 1 if the center is to close.”
