What it Means to be an AMIA Member

“The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) serves the interpretive needs of Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, at Clear Lake in Lake County, California. Through memberships and fundraising, the association supports many park interpretive programs. These programs include restoration of the 19th century ranch house and ranch complex, trail development, living history, and cultural and natural resource preservation. California State Parks has a valuable relationship with more than 80 cooperating associations authorized pursuant to Public Resource Code 513. These non-profit charitable organizations are dedicated to enhancing the educational and interpretive programs in California State Parks. Associations are related to, but independent of the state parks they serve.” “The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association has proven itself to be a valuable asset to the visitors and staff at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. Join them by becoming a member!”
-- CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION

The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) has been in existence for many years with a primary objective of preserving and enhancing the use of Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. Joining as a member will help insure those who wish to protect and conserve this great educational, cultural and environmental resource have the means to do so.

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park contains oak woodlands, grass-covered hills, and Tule marsh. One of the largest groups of people in prehistoric California, the Southeastern Pomo, knew this land as home. Today, descendants of those people still live nearby. Anderson Marsh's archaeological sites hold clues to the lives of the Pomo. Some sites are over 10,000 years old, making them among the oldest in California. The more recent past can be explored at the historic Anderson Ranch, with its nineteenth century structures. The Park contains protected artifacts that span the entire history of humans in this area. A designated nature preserve, the park also protects several vitally important and endangered natural habitats including freshwater marsh, oak woodland, and riparian woodland - a beautiful site to behold full of ancient trees; soaring birds; quiet splendor.

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park has been placed on the state park closure list and unless something changes, the Park will close in July 2012. The Park had also been scheduled for a “seasonal closure” starting in September 2011. The AMIA board of directors has been able to avoid the seasonal closure by entering into an agreement with the State Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to help fund certain park expenses and to provide certain services during the period between now and July 2012.

The goal of AMIA is to enter into a formal agreement with the State to keep the park open after July 2012 at the current “status quo,” which is: keeping most trails maintained for walking, providing a monthly guided walk and tour of the ranch house, opening the gates so that the parking area will be available during the weekends, providing guided tours for schools, seniors, and other groups, and holding other special events.

In order to do this, AMIA will have to pay expenses such as the utility, refuse and sanitation expenses of the Park, as well as providing services such as trail maintenance and facilities cleanup.

We have a core group of volunteers in our organization and are recruiting community volunteers as well to help in our efforts. We are also partnering with groups like the Lake County Land Trust, Redbud Audubon Society and the Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association to raise funds for our efforts.

AMIA activities have included:

  • working to help insure Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is maintained and open to the public by providing money and volunteers to assist the State of California in meeting the needs of the Park.
  • sponsoring field-trips to the Park for elementary school students
  • sponsoring monthly Saturday morning Nature Walks & Ranch House Tours
  • assisting with CMAS Student Day Camps as well as other group events at the Park
  • producing the Old Time Bluegrass Festival in September

We envision that the future will bring more children, more adults and more folks from out of town. The Park needs docents, hands on exhibits and ongoing maintenance.

The AMIA Board of Directors welcomes and needs the vision and energy created by widespread community involvement to protect & preserve this American treasure. Please join us.

For more information please call 707.995.2658 or email info@andersonmarsh.org