An ever increasing percentage of California's school children are living in urban areas. Often, distance or economic and social barriers prevent these children from experiencing the values of California State Parks. Budget and staffing issues make it difficult for schools throughout the state to visit parks to address educational needs. In response to these situations, California State Parks, in conjunction with Crystal Cove Alliance and the Crystal Cove Conservancy, has initiated a "distance interpretation" program.

"Distance interpretation" refers to an effort in which the interpreter and the resource, while physically separated from the audience, are connected through technology.

The three key components of the distance interpretation program are the "Video Streaming," "Building Bridges," and "Parks On-Line Resources for Teachers and Students" (PORTS) programs. Each of these programs is delivered across the Digital California Project (DCP), a high-speed network connecting all of California's K-12 schools.

The "Video Streaming" component sends live video feed (SealCam) from Ano Nuevo State Reserve (home to northern elephant seals) into classrooms. The rangers at Ano Neuvo are superimposed on the picture much like a weather person in front of a weather map. The rangers present programs aligned with California Academic Content Standards. This program could reach 20,000 urban children during the three-month elephant seal season.

The "Building Bridges" component creates a partnership between two classrooms from different areas of the state. With the aid of an interpreter, each classroom studies a state park near them. The interpreter and teacher work together throughout the school year to address academic content standards and park themes. Using the digital photos, digital video, presentation software, and other tools, the children prepare a report concerning "their park." The classrooms then videoconference via DCP and teach each other about "their park" and themselves.

The "PORTS" component is a group of projects that are developed at different locations throughout the state. With the aid of Crystal Cove Alliance and the Crystal Cove Conservatory, Crystal Cove State Park became one of the first participants in PORTS. Local state parks, county offices of education, and local schools collaborate to create units of study. Parks and schools prepare materials (lesson plans, digital photos, digital videos, PowerPoint presentations, etc.) concerning the specific content standards and park themes. These materials are made available to all California students and teachers through the DCP. The unit of study also incorporates videoconferences between the classroom and parks. Currently, schools in San Diego, Orange, Sacramento, and Marin counties are participating in the development of this program.