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‘Park Pride’ Photo Contest: Submit Your Best of the Best
Story from: Jorge Moreno, Communications and Marketing Division
 We know each California state park unit is unique, which makes them special to visitors and staff for multiple reasons. We often hear staff boast—in a good way—about why their park is the best park to visit or work at. The winter photo contest, “Park Pride,” is a friendly “bragging war” to showcase the best of the best.
For the “Park Pride” photo contest, show us why the park you work or volunteer at, or visit is the best California state park. Maybe it’s for bird-watching, the historical connections to the people of California or for the amazing storytelling by volunteers and staff. Whatever the reason, we want to learn more about it in this photo contest. Be creative with your photos and share your park pride. If you don’t work at a park, it doesn’t mean you can’t participate—send us photos of a state park you recently visited and why it’s the best.
Remember, if a photo has a recognizable face and the subject is not State Parks employee or park volunteer, you must also submit a completed Visual Media Consent form (DPR 993).
To be eligible to participate, you must be a State Parks employee or park volunteer and submit your photos to the Weekly Digest. Provide a brief description of your “Park Pride” photo and the name of the state park where the photo was taken. The Communications and Marketing team will announce the top-five photos in March. The photos will be showcased in the Weekly Digest, as well as State Parks’ social media channels with their photo credit.
Here are the rules and criteria to submit photos:
- Email photos to the Weekly Digest with the subject line “Park Pride.”
- Photos must be taken between Dec. 21, 2021, and March 7, 2022.
- Photos with images of non-State Parks staff or park volunteers must include a completed Visual Media Consent form (DPR 993).
- Photos must be taken at one of California’s 280 [279?] state parks.
- Photo images should be a minimum of 1920×2400 ppi.
- Only park employees and volunteers can submit photos.
- Photos will be judged on photo quality, uniqueness, moment captured and content.
- The top-five photos chosen will be shared on California State Parks’ social media channels and in the Weekly Digest.
- Winning photos will be selected by the Communications and Marketing team (who is not eligible to participate in the contest).
If you have any questions on the contest, please send an email to the Weekly Digest.
Celebrate Lunar New Year Virtually From Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park
Story from: Communications and Marketing Division
 Celebrate Chinese New Year 2022 (also known as Lunar New Year) with us virtually on Tuesday, February 1, at 10 a.m. The Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students (PORTS) Program will be live from Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park and will tour inside the Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds, the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California.
On display at the temple are art objects, pictures, mining tools and weapons used in the 1854 Tong War. This Taoist temple is still a place of worship and a fascinating look into the role played by Chinese immigrants in early California history. The temple was built in 1874 as a replacement for another that had burned.
Staff will also share what to expect in the powerful Year of the Tiger and conclude the celebration with the lion dance. To join the virtual celebration, preregistration is required. For teachers and students, click here to register.
The Lunar New Year begins with the rising of the second new moon after the winter solstice (December 21). This can occur on any date between January 21 and February 20. Also known as the Spring Festival, the Lunar New Year is celebrated by many Asian communities across the world. The festivities, celebrated over 15 days, usher out the old year and are meant to bring luck and prosperity in the new one.
Each year of the lunar calendar is represented by one of 12 zodiac animals—the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. 2022 is the year of the water tiger. The tiger is known as the king of all beasts in China and is associated with bravery, confidence and strength.
 Photos from previous Lunar New Year celebrations held at Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park. The celebration typically has a lion dance in which everyone wants good luck for the next year. Feeding the lions red pocket envelopes with donations is an old tradition during this celebration. The color green means good health in Chinese culture and giving red pockets with something green inside brings good luck and good health. All photos were taken pre-COVID-19. Photos from California State Parks.
State Parks Joins National Parks and Tribal Members to Show Redwoods to Cal Poly Humboldt Students
Story from: Erin Gates, North Coast Redwoods District
 Cal Poly Humboldt students touring Redwood National and State Parks. Photos from California State Parks.
Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation and Yurok Tribe tribal members, alongside California State Parks and National Park Service interpreters, led unique education programs at Redwood National and State Parks for California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, students on Saturday, January 22.
Held under the warmth of the sun to the shade of old-growth redwoods, this collaborative project educated the students about the compelling natural history of the landscape that they now inhabit. Students also had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural, ecological and historical significance of the Northern California landscape.
The events and learning would not have happened without the support of Cal Poly Humboldt's Center Activities. They provided the marketing for this event across campus and provided students with transportation to get to up the redwoods.
Our State Parks staff said they were honored to have the opportunity to work alongside and learn from our Tribal partners. We all are thankful for their willingness to share their traditional knowledge with the staff and students. It was a humbling experience for all involved, and we are looking forward to doing this again.
Note: On Wednesday, January 26, Humboldt State University officially became Cal Poly Humboldt, California’s third polytechnic university and the first polytechnic university in Northern California.
 Cal Poly Humboldt students during their tour of the redwoods. Photo from California State Parks.
 Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
 
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