Ranger Scully Remembered at San Mateo County Fallen Peace Officers Memorial
Story and photos from: Joe Walters, Santa Cruz District
 Local Peace Officers represent the fallen Peace Officers of San Mateo County at the Redwood City Museum on Tuesday, May 3.
Staff members of Santa Cruz District attended the 2022 San Mateo County Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 3, to honor the fallen officers of San Mateo County. State Parks Peace Officer (Ranger) Patricia Scully was one of the officers remembered. She was killed when her patrol vehicle was struck head-on by a drunk driver on Cabrillo Highway, north of La Honda Road, in May 1976.
She was patrolling the San Mateo coast state beaches at Half Moon Bay when the incident occurred. The driver of the vehicle was driving erratically and his car was in the process of flipping over when it went airborne and struck Ranger Scully's pickup truck.
The suspect was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to one year in jail and had his driver's license suspended for three years.
Ranger Scully had served with California State Parks for 18 months and became the second female law enforcement officers to be killed in California. She was survived by her parents.
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 Left to right: State Park Peace Officers (SPPO) Andrew Filous and Scott Ackemann, Tom Edholm, Mary Edholm (sister of late Patricia Scully) and Supervising Ranger Barbara Morris attend the memorial.
Deadline Extended to May 20 for 2022 Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards
Story from: Diane Barclay, Office of Historic Preservation
 The Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) has extended the submission deadline for the 2022 Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards. Nominations are now due Friday, May 20, 2022.
Individuals, groups, organizations and projects can be nominated for outstanding achievements in historic preservation. A wide range of preservation efforts will be considered, including restoration and rehabilitation, public programming, protection of and education about cultural sites and traditions, or addressing challenges of climate change. Visit the OHP Awards webpage for nomination forms and instructions.
For inspiration, we invite you to review the recently awarded 2021 Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards. The 2021 awards ceremony took place April 27, 2022, in Sacramento, California. State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco and California State Parks Director Armando Quintero presented awards to seven projects recognized for their excellent work on behalf of California’s heritage. Included among the awardees was California State Parks’ own Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, recognized for their interpretive public programming Unsung Heroes of Hearst Castle. (See article about the Unsung Heroes of Hearst Castle project.)
Click the links below to learn about each of the awarded projects. Visit the OHP YouTube channel and Flickr site for video and photographs of the awards ceremony.
List of 2021 award recipients:
 The project group for 2021 Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards recipient Guilford Hall-Penn Court project, in Whittier, California. Joining them was State Historical Resources Commission Chair Lee Adams (far left), Director of California State Parks Armando Quintero (far right) and State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco (second from right).
 2021 Governor's Historic Preservation Awards ceremony held in Room 500 of the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building.
Unsung Heroes of Hearst Castle Project Receives 2021 Governor’s Historic Preservation Award
Story from: Communications and Marketing Division
 The Unsung Heroes of Hearst Castle project—a creative public program incorporating videos, social media posts and visitor center exhibits to share the lesser-known history of the many individuals involved in the building of Hearst Castle—recently received a 2021 Governor's State Historic Preservation Award. The award recognizes all of the San Luis Obispo Coast District staff who contributed to the project from all program areas.
The Hearst Castle Unsung Heroes project celebrates the craftspeople who made Hearst Castle—from its plumbing, landscape, ceilings, swimming pools, to its tall towers. It effectively employs a three-prong approach to reach the widest audience both in-person and virtually: The Unsung Heroes video series, Today’s Voice from the Past quote campaign, and the new three-window exhibit in Hearst Castle’s visitor center. It also accomplishes a major goal of park staff to improve access to California’s diverse communities by making Unsung Heroes educational products free of charge to the public and relatable to students studying STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.).
Hearst Castle Guide Sharon Foelz and Museum Director Cara O'Brien accepted the programmatic award for the Unsung Heroes of Hearst Castle project at the Governor's State Historic Preservation awards ceremony in Sacramento, California, on Wednesday, April 27, from California State Park Director Armando Quintero and State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco.
To learn more about the Unsung Heroes of Hearst Castle project, click here. To read about all the 2021 award recipients and to download nomination forms and instructions for the 2022 awards (deadline is Friday, May 20), please visit the Office of Historic Preservation website at ohp.parks.ca.gov/GovernorsAwards.
 Hearst Castle Guide Sharon Foelz (holding award) and Museum Director Cara O'Brien (second from right) accept the programmatic award for the Hearst Castle Unsung Heroes project at the Governor's State Historic Preservation awards ceremony in Sacramento on Wednesday, April 27, from California State Park Director Armando Quintero (left) and State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco. Photo from Office of Historic Preservation.
 Left to right: Director Armando Quintero shares a moment of celebration with Hearst Castle Guide Sharon Foelz and Museum Director Cara O'Brien. The Unsung Heroes project included quotes with context from the William Randolph Hearst and Julia Morgan correspondence, the Unsung Heroes video project and the Hearst Castle Visitor Center three-window display. To see the Unsung Heroes videos subscribe to Hearst Castle on YouTube. Photo from Office of Historic Preservation.
 Top left: Guides Mike Smothers and Shari Fortino research, film, caption and edit Unsung Heroes videos for YouTube, social media posts, Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students resources, and Smithsonian Learning Lab. Top right: Hearst Castle Guide Supervisor Debra Mendenhall researches the William Randolph Hearst and Julia Morgan correspondence to create "Today's Voices from the Past," an uplifting daily quote with relevant context for today's audience. Bottom right: Hearst Castle Curator Toby Selyem innovated with Guide Carson Cargill on the backdrop mechanisms, lighting and installation of large props for the three-window exhibits in the Hearst Castle Visitor Center. Bottom left: Guide Sharon Foelz, who designed, fabricated and installed the exhibits and interpretive panels, puts the finishing touches on the Hearst Castle Unsung Heroes exhibits in the Hearst Castle Visitor Center. Photos from Hearst Castle/California State Parks.
Two Districts, One 'Gold'
Story and photos from: Carissa Barnett, Gold Fields District
 Capital District staff (left to right): Management Services Technician Fam Saechao, Senior Park Aide Wendy Sanchez, Office Assistant Roy Marquez, Business Services Officer I Alexandria Russel, Staff Services Analyst Peter Larsen and Administrative Officer III Lorin Leverenz. Gold Fields District staff: Associate Governmental Program Analyst Holly Welch, Office Technician Kasie Green, Administrative Officer I Carissa Barnett and Office Technician Jerrie Beard.
The Gold Fields District administration team invited the Capital District administration team to join them in learning how to gold pan on Friday, April 29. Several staff members from both Districts yelled, “Eureka!” They found gold, lots of fool’s gold and garnets. It was a great time, sharing stories, information and lots of laughs.
Thank you to Interpreter I Holly Thane and Office Technician Jerrie Beard, both from Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, for teaching us all how to gold pan.
 Gold Fields District staff (left) and Capital District staff pan for gold at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
Bay Area District Heads to Angel Island State Park for All Hands Meeting
Story from: John Clagett and Christen Bechert, Bay Area District
 Bay Area District group shot at Angel Island State Park during the All Hands meeting on Wednesday, May 4. Photo from Bay Area District staff.
Angel Island State Park, located in the San Francisco Bay, hosted the Bay Area District All Hands Staff Meeting on Wednesday, May 4. After a three-year break, the meeting provided an opportunity for more than 50 staff members from across the northern Bay Area to come together.
District Superintendent Maria Mowrey gave district updates, each program supervisor made announcements and staff had the opportunity to interact and meet new faces. Senior Environmental Scientist Cyndy Shaffer presented safety training and distributed tick ID materials and tick keys to safely remove ticks. It was a valuable training, as all our parks can be abundant with ticks in the spring.
Staff was treated to a potluck lunch, with Public Safety Superintendent Vince Anibale skillfully manning the grill. After lunch, they had a choice of three interpretive activities to round out the day:
- Angel Island Company donated a private tour on their popular tram tour. The interpretive tour circles the island and covers the diversity of island’s natural and cultural history.
- Staff also had a choice to hike or ride to the U.S. Immigration Station for a guided tour, led by State Park Interpreter I John Clagett. After the tour, they enjoyed the newly opened Angel Island Immigration Museum located in the historic immigration hospital opened in January 2022.
- The final choice was a bay tour on the State Parks boat, The Clam. The adventurous staff members who chose this option were treated to a different type of Angel Island tour—one from the sea. The group enjoyed the salty sea air and sunshine while State Park Interpreter I Erin Dunning gave an inspirational tour with foggy San Francisco and the Golden Gate in the distance.
A big thank you to the Angel Island staff for accommodating and sharing their beautiful park with the rest of the district.
 Top: View of the San Francisco skyline from The Clam boat tour. Bottom left: Staff members who opted for the boat tour of Angel Island. Bottom right: Bay Area staff receives welcome from San Francisco Bay Sector Superintendent Gerald O'Reily. Photos from Bay Area District staff.
Sea Lion Rescued on Earth Day at Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Story and photos from: Ann Hagerman, Angeles District
 An injured sea lion showed up at Malibu Lagoon State Beach on Friday, April 22.
An injured sea lion was rescued at Malibu Lagoon State Beach on Earth Day, Friday, April 22. Beachgoers notified Los Angeles County lifeguards about a sea lion in distress, which had a wound from a fishing line cutting into the neck.
The California Wildlife Center in Calabasas was notified and they sent their Marine Mammal Rescue Team. The team carried nets and pulled a specially built dolly with a crate mounted on top across the beach sand. Team members crouched low on the shoreline. Marine Program Manager Heather Henderson approached from the right, while Marine Program Assistant Annika Galloway came from the left. After much patience and professional experience, the two-year-old sea lion was netted.
The sea lion received immediate care and later was sent to the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles, in San Pedro, California. The fishing line was successfully removed, and the sea lion is now progressing through the rehabilitation process.
 Marine Mammal Rescue Team from the California Wildlife Center helped rescued the injured sea lion.
State Parks K-9 Team Complete 2022 Annual Qualifications
Story from: James Grennan, San Luis Obispo Coast District
 State Parks K-9 teams at this year's Annual Qualifications event. Photo from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division.
California State Parks K-9 Program 2022 Annual Qualifications showcased another solid performance from the department’s K-9 teams. Seventeen of the 19 department’s K-9 teams met within Orange Coast District for their annual qualifications on April 27 and 28 at Fairview Developmental Center, in Costa Mesa, California.
During qualifications, each K-9 team must demonstrate skills and abilities in obedience, patrol, searching, tracking and detection. Seeing each team perform at a high level showed how much time and dedication the teams have invested to continue to make the K-9 program one of the best programs in the department.
Each year, two K-9 teams are selected for either the “Mike Callen” Top Dog Team Award (Best Overall Performance at Qualifications) and the Dave Graham Achievement Award (K-9 team that has demonstrated year-round excellence). This year’s winner for Top Dog Team was Martin Gilbertson and K-9 Ivan (Sierra District), and Achievement Award went to Brett Weber and K-9 Rino (Special Enforcement Team [SET], Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division).
I would like to thank the Rangers and Lifeguards who make up the California State Parks K-9 Program:
- Iain Beveridge – San Luis Obispo Coast District
- Jason Rule – San Luis Obispo Coast District
- Chris Hendricks - San Luis Obispo Coast District
- Martin Gilbertson – Sierra District
- Sasha Wessitsh – Capital District
- Matt Pasquarella – Capital District
- Brian Lane – San Diego Coast District
- Aaron Hoff – Orange Coast District
- Angelica Stevens – Orange Coast District
- Briana Kennedy-Feldhaus – Monterey District
- Trevor Irace – Northern Buttes District
- Janessa Sederquist – Northern Buttes District
- David Elias – Channel Coast District
- David Gunn – Angeles District
- Alexandra Lucero – Gold Fields District
- Mark James – Gold Fields District
- Brett Weber – SET
- Michael Cueto – SET
- Colin Bliese – Ocotillo Wells District
If interested in becoming a K-9 handler or hosting a K-9 training within your district, please reach out to Mike Gleckler (michael.gleckler@parks.ca.gov) or James Grennan (james.grennan@parks.ca.gov).
 Top left: Aaron Hoff and Torq. Top right: Angelica Stevens and Halo. Bottom right: Janessa Sederquist and Oz. Bottom left: Martin Gilbertson and Ivan. Photos from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division.
 Left: Top Dog Team award went to Martin Gilbertson and K-9 Ivan, Sierra District. Right: Achievement Award recipients were Brett Weber and K-9 Rino, Special Enforcement Team, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division. Photos from James Grennan, San Luis Obispo Coast District.
Grover Hot Springs State Park Reopens Amid Spring Snowstorm
Story and photos from: Dan Canfield, Sierra District
 Meadow Interpretive Nature Trail Trailhead at Grover Hot Springs State Park.
Grover Hot Springs State Park (SP) has reopened to public day use for hiking, wildlife viewing and picnicking. The reopening coincided with a spring snowstorm on Monday and Tuesday, May 9 and 10.
The park had been closed since July 2021 when the Tamarack Fire burned over the park, causing significant damage to park resources and facilities. This reopening of the park for day-use recreation is the result of exemplary work on the part of California State Parks staff. The reopening efforts included hazmat cleanup of burned-out facilities, as well as mitigating risks from hundreds of hazard trees.
Campground and hot springs pool complex remain closed.
 Interpretive panel at Meadow Overlook along nature trail at Grover Hot Springs State Park.
Aerial Lift Training at San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area is a Rising Success
Story from: Gerald "Duke" Heberling, Central Valley District
 Top: Hands-on operation at the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area maintenance yard. Photo from Kathy Phu, Central Valley District. Bottom: Classroom instruction with team members from multiple districts. Photo from Gerald "Duke" Heberling, Central Valley District.
Central Valley District Maintenance Chief Peter Stewart hosted aerial lift training for several districts throughout the state, using the department's 55-foot bucket truck at San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area.
This all-day training works for other aerial lifts that our Maintenance and Natural Resources teams frequently use for getting to those hard-to-reach areas. Because these pieces of equipment are able to lift our team so high in the air, it is critical that everyone using the proper personal protective equipment receives complete safety training and has the skills required to safely operate the lifts. From roof work to high-branch removal, these trucks are invaluable for our operations, but are not practical unless we can be certain our people can use them safely.
Thanks to this training we have 14 more State Parks team members certified in using aerial lift trucks.
Student Musicians Commemorate Chinese Railroad Workers at California State Railroad Museum
Story from: Ty O. Smith, Ph.D., Capital District
 Students of the Great Wall Youth Orchestra tune up instruments in preparation for their “All Aboard the Eastbound Train” performance, featuring music that was familiar to the Chinese railroad workers who built the First Transcontinental Railroad. Photo from California State Parks.
The California State Railroad Museum (CSRM) turned into a venue for an amazing musical performance on Saturday, May 7. One minute, students from various public schools in Oakland, California, were nervously dressing into their red and black silk jackets and tuning instruments. The next moment, under the direction of their conductor, Victor Siu, the students brought history alive through music.
Playing a range of traditional Chinese instruments, the students of the Great Wall Youth Orchestra performed numerous songs that would have been familiar to the Chinese railroad workers of the 1860s. Compositions such as “Rain on Banana Leaves,” “Song of a Fisherman” and “General’s Command” evoked the life, culture and the sense of place of the Guangdong Province of China. Most of the workers who labored to build the Central Pacific side of the First Transcontinental Railroad were Chinese and most of those people came from the Pearl River Delta of China.
The musical performance was the product of a partnership between the California State Railroad Museum and Foundation and the Purple Silk Music Education Foundation, an Oakland-based nonprofit organization dedicated to “promoting opportunities for underserved youth from lower socioeconomic family backgrounds to receive musical education.” While these students learn music from all origins, the “All Aboard the Eastbound Train” performance was part of a special program to commemorate the 153rd anniversary of the completion of the Pacific Railroad and to honor the Chinese railroad workers who helped build the railroad and the nation.
The musical performances were followed by the screening of “Going Home,” a documentary by Min Zhou, an award-winning journalist and independent filmmaker based in the Bay Area. The film tells the story of Carlin, a small town in Nevada that was once a stop along the Central Pacific Railroad; the discovery of the remains of 13 Chinese pioneers; and the story of how this community, once the site of anti-Chinese discrimination, welcomed back the remains of the town’s earliest pioneers.
Students not only came to perform, but they also came to learn and experience the museum and its excursion train. Many of these students and their families were visiting the museum for the first time. “It was very meaningful to tour the museum and gain understanding of what our ancestors have gone through,” wrote one student representative. Students especially enjoyed the excursion train, which they described as an “awesome and amazing experience.”
Staff of both CSRM and the CSRM Foundation worked hard in both the planning and implementation of this event. Kim Whitfield (interpreter II), Michael Dufau (events coordinator) and Alex Clark (social media coordinator) helped plan, facilitate and document the day’s activities. President and CEO of CSRM Foundation Tim Schroepfer, along with the staff and volunteers of the Sacramento Southern Railroad, rolled out the red carpet for these special members of our community.
The event was a fitting contribution to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, but it also exemplified the direction of the California State Railroad Museum. As the museum endeavors to mean more to more people, staff and volunteers work hard to turn the museum into a laboratory of learning, to not simply greet visitors but to create community and to be a museum without walls. On that Saturday in May, they managed to achieve all of these goals, at once.
 Museum Director Ty Smith (second from right) and President and CEO of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation Tim Schroepfer (far right) gratefully receive commemorative programs signed by each of the student performers of the Great Wall Youth Orchestra. Photo from California State Parks.
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