To the Director of California State Parks and the Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District Superintendent:

We ask California State Parks to reconsider its decision not to renew Fort Ross Conservancy’s Cooperating Association Agreement, P21CO017, which is scheduled to expire on November 3, 2026.

Renew the agreement and preserve a community partnership that has served Fort Ross for half a century.

Since 1976, Fort Ross Conservancy (formerly the Fort Ross Interpretive Association) has worked in partnership with California State Parks to preserve, maintain, interpret, and bring Fort Ross State Historic Park to life. For half a century, this nonprofit organization, supported by its members, donors, staff, and volunteers, has provided essential financial, educational, operational, and cultural support to one of California's most significant historic landmarks. 

Fort Ross Conservancy has played a critical role in the park’s daily operations by staffing visitor services and operating the Fort Ross Museum Bookshop, providing visitors educational materials, and historical information. The organization has coordinated volunteers, supported historical interpretation and educational activities, managed public outreach, tourism promotion, and community communications. It has also raised funds for park improvements, educational programs, preservation initiatives, and special projects, while supporting the maintenance of the historic orchard, interpretive activities, and other important cultural resources. Now all of these efforts are under threat.

Education and historical preservation have been central to the Conservancy's mission. Through its Environmental Living Program and Marine Ecology Program, Fort Ross Conservancy has provided hands-on educational experiences to generations of California schoolchildren, reaching hundreds of thousands of students over the decades. 

The historic chapel holds special significance for Orthodox Christians and represents a unique heritage valued in California, across the United States, and around the world. FRC has conducted archival research and developed models to guide the restoration of the chapel’s historic appearance, while welcoming clergy and faithful from various Orthodox dioceses to celebrate Divine Liturgies over the years. These efforts to preserve the chapel and sustain its religious traditions deserve continued support and cooperation.

The organization has also assembled and maintained a specialized historical library containing thousands of titles, along with important archival materials, photographs, and documents relating to California history. These efforts have helped preserve and share the interconnected histories of the Kashia Pomo, Russian settlers, Alaska Native communities, and California ranching families.

The Conservancy’s contribution also extends beyond California. Through the Fort Ross Dialogue, it helped create opportunities for Americans and Russians to meet, exchange knowledge, and maintain human connections through citizen diplomacy.  

We support responsible governance, transparent financial management, and clear standards for every organization working in a public park. We ask State Parks to pursue a constructive path that addresses substantiated concerns while preserving the benefits of this longstanding partnership.

We call on California State Parks to:

1. Reconsider the nonrenewal decision and work with FRC to renew Cooperating Association Agreement P21CO017.
   Provide an interim extension, by mutual agreement, before or 30 days after the November 3, 2026, so meaningful discussions can take place while the partnership remains in effect.
2. Establish a written plan addressing any substantiated concerns, with clear responsibilities, measurable requirements, deadlines, and appropriate oversight.
3. Give FRC’s members, volunteers, educators, cultural communities, and supporters a meaningful opportunity to contribute to discussions about the partnership’s future.
4. State Parks’ own notice recognizes the contributions of FRC and its predecessor. Those contributions should provide a foundation for rebuilding cooperation.

We urge you to act NOW! In addition to signing this petition, please write to California State Parks officials and ask them to reconsider their decision not to renew the Fort Ross Conservancy’s Cooperating Association Agreement. Your voice matters, and every letter of support can help protect this historic partnership.

We encourage you to contact the following officials:

Armando Quintero
Director, California State Parks
Email: armando.quintero@parks.ca.gov

Sedrick Mitchell
Deputy Director of External Affairs, California State Parks
Email: Sedrick.Mitchell@parks.ca.gov

Greg Martin
Northern and Desert Field Division Chief, California State Parks
Email: Greg.Martin@parks.ca.gov

Please sign and share this petition. Help keep Fort Ross Conservancy’s community partnership at Fort Ross State Historic Park alive.  Thank you!