The records of California Tomorrow document the organization's growth and influence from its initial meeting in 1961 through its dissolution in the spring of 1983. Linking the objectives of conservationists, planners, regulators and California residents, California Tomorrow called for comprehensive state planning to address challenges faced by the state such as sustainable land use, both for agriculture and housing; conservation of water and energy resources; preservation of California's coastline, deserts, lakes and forests; transportation planning; and regional government. Their activities included the publication of reports and the journal Cry California , and the creation of the comprehensive The California Tomorrow Plan, which was born from Town Hall meetings throughout the state. Records contain minutes of meetings, correspondence, speeches and the personal files of founder Alfred Heller and co-founder Samuel Wood, with the bulk of the material consisting of editorial files for the organization's journal. Contents of the editorial files include the correspondence of William Bronson, first editor, and John W. Abbott, who succeeded him, and files for each individual issue, containing rough drafts, photographs, drawings, correspondence and notes. Also includes the working files and edited draft versions of The California Tomorrow Plan , beginning with the "A First Sketch" of 1971, with comments solicited from manuscript reviewers and the public as well as press notices following publication. Administrative material in the collection includes reference files, maps, scrapbooks and clippings, membership files, publication sales and distribution information, and financial records. The records also contain government reports and studies, as well as notes and correspondence from study tours, conferences, seminars and regional meetings sponsored by California Tomorrow and other organizations, with some accompanying audiocassette and audiotape recordings.

California Tomorrow, a nonprofit educational organization, was founded by Alfred E. Heller and Samuel E. Wood. The first meeting was held on June 24, 1961, with Alfred E. Heller named president, William M. Roth, vice-president, and Harold Berliner secretary; Samuel E. Wood became executive director. The founding members' intent was to link the objectives of conservationists, planners, and regulators and to urge the adoption of a widely integrated planning process to meet the needs of both conservation and growth. Alfred E. Heller, founder and president of California Tomorrow from 1961-1974, is a California native and graduate of Stanford University. He was living in Nevada City and publishing the weekly Nevada County Nugget when he became involved in a grassroots attempt to reroute new freeway construction slated to go through the middle of town. Subsequently he became a member of the California State Highway Commission. His experience with various state agencies during the freeway campaign convinced him that the lack of integrated planning in California posed a serious threat to the state's future. In addition to numerous articles on environmental problems, Heller co-authored California Going, Going... and Phantom Cities of California as well as editing The California Tomorrow Plan.

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