Watch California Forever- The Story of California State Parks

California Forever- The Story of California State Parks is an eight-part documentary series that revolves around the 150-year history of California State Parks. The series offers an in-depth exploration of the history, culture, and successes of State Parks in California, showcasing how these parks have become cherished icons for both locals and visitors.

Narrated by Peter Coyote, the series traces the timeline of the state parks, their creation, the challenges they faced, and their preservation efforts. It highlights the behind-the-scenes stories of the dedicated people who worked tirelessly to create and maintain these parks.

The series boasts of breathtaking visuals that showcase the awe-inspiring landscapes and diverse wildlife that is representative of California State Parks. This cinematography beautifully captures the essence of these parks, their historical significance, and the vital role they played in shaping California's identity. The calming soundscapes created not just through music, but the natural sounds of the park, enhance the visuals and create a relaxing ambiance for viewers.

The first episode begins with the story of Yosemite National Park and the political challenges it faced in the 1800s. It touches on the Hetch Hetchy Valley development that led to the creation of the first-ever state park, Big Basin Redwoods state park, and how its creation inspired other parks like Anza-Borrego.

The series moves forth with an episode dedicated to the role of California parks in World War II. It explores how the outdoor spaces offered a respite for wounded soldiers and how the parks were converted into training grounds for military personnel. The series then delves deep into the California water crisis and the significant role played by parks in conserving water.

Furthermore, the series also dedicates an episode to the relationship between the State Park system and Native American tribes, focus on how California state parks have managed to stabilize the circumstances for a few wild species, and the struggles associated with making parks accessible for underprivileged and disabled people.

The seventh episode of the series focuses on the powerful role art played in state parks' creation, with features such as Yosemite as captured by Ansel Adams, how parkland served as inspiration for the arts, and the impact of the conservation movement on parkland. Finally, the last episode of the series deals with modern-day issues related to Parks like the Encinitas trailer park, and how new parks, like California Coastal National Monument, are coming into existence.

All things considered, California Forever is a beautiful and informative series that showcases the significance of parks in Californian culture and history. Whether one is a fan of nature, history, or culture, this series is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the vital role that parks play in sustaining California's identity and its people.