In an effort to preserve nature for the public, the California State Parks Foundation has just produced 40 short podcasts about some of California's favorite state park hiking trails. Each episode, complete with ambient sound, is narrated by a different CSPF member or state park fan, sharing his or her story about their favorite trail. A few notables revealing on which hiking trail they like hike, bike and stroll are TV hosts Huell Howser and Doug McConnell, and former Van Halen frontman and Tres Agaves owner Sammy Hagar.

Hagar's place to take a hike? Mount Tam in Marin. "I like the old railroad grade because of the access to the world -- you can see the ocean, you can see the city, you can see the bay and just everything. It's gorgeous," he said. The full audio, produced with the help of the LA-based LAPodSquad, is here:

Hopefully, these podcasts will provide you with an opportunity to get out and check out our state's "279 natural treasures." Remember, just last year 48 parks were in danger of being closed when Governor Boob Grabber threatened to cut the state's budget.

If you have a favorite trail in a state park, submit your story and maybe it will become a podcast too.