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 July 15, 2022
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 Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
This Ariolimax genus, more commonly known as a banana slug, is enjoying a rainy early July day in Fern Canyon.
Photo from Katie Talbot, Visitor
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Building Connections: North Coast Redwoods District Participates in Community Events
Story from: Kyle Buchanan, North Coast Redwoods District
 Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Summer Youth, Natural Resources Department-Habitat and Wildlife Division and Netlh-'ii~-ne, State Parks Watershed Interpreter Kyle Buchanan (third from left) and State Parks Peace Officer (Ranger) Simon DuRand (fifth from left). Photo from California State Parks.
With summer weather finally here, North Coast Redwoods District (NCRD) has been making connections with our local community at two recent events.
Senior Park Aide Interpreter Julian Farnsworth and Senior Park Aide Watershed Interpreter Kyle Buchanan brought Redwood National and State Parks to the community on Saturday, July 9, by hosting an education table at the Annual Orick Rodeo. Staff provided the community with information about how they can become involved with the park through attending interpretive events, completing Junior Ranger booklets or applying for various parks positions.
Then on Monday, July 11, the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Summer Youth, Natural Resources Department-Habitat and Wildlife Division and Netlh-'ii~-ne, California State Parks Watershed Interpreter Kyle Bucahanan and State Park Peace Officer (Ranger) Simone DuRand joined together to pick up trash at Pelican State Beach. At this northernmost state park unit in California, the group was able to work together to clean trash from the beach while also brainstorming for future collaborations between the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation (a federally recognized Tribe) and State Parks.
It is wonderful to build new opportunities for community collaborations and partnerships throughout NCRD. The more relevant and accessible parks feel to the local community, the more we are able to build and foster a sense of stewardship in both our visitors from afar and our neighbors from down the street.
 Prairie Creek State Park Interpreter Julian Farnsworth (left) and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Watershed Interpreter Kyle Buchanan. Photo from California State Parks.
Backcountry Wilderness Trail Crew Learns Tips and Tricks From North Coast Redwoods District Staff
Story and photos from: Erin Gates, North Coast Redwoods District
 The Siskiyou Mountain Club group learns about the collaboration with Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation on the interpretive exhibit designs at the Grove of Titans at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park from Deputy District Superintendent Erin Gates, while Oregon Outdoors film crew shoots a segment for an upcoming video series.
The Grove of Titans trail and elevated walkway is attracting more than just visitors at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Recently, backcountry wilderness trail crew Siskiyou Mountain Club (SMC) reached out to ask if they could have a guided hike out to the Grove of Titans.
The SMC group, made up of 18- to 25-year-old individuals, spend summers conducting trail work in the backcountry areas of southern Oregon and Northern California. They often are on “spikes” for more than two to three weeks, camping and conducting trail work in some of the most remote and primitive trails in the Siskiyou backcountry and beyond. On their days off, SMC Executive Director Gabe Howe provides opportunities for the trail crew to explore the surrounding area and wanted them to see the incredible trail design work of a front-country trail that has been making a lot of headlines.
North Coast Redwoods District (NCRD) staff Dee Dee Cathey (trail crew manager), Gary Asbury and Melody Vaughn (trail crew leads), and I provided the crew with an in-depth tour and discussion of the collaborative project, emphasizing the trail work required. We described how the material was hand carried in (over 128 tons) and how the realignment of the trail included the installation of multiple bridges and retaining walls and the laying over 1,300 feet of elevated walkway.
When Oregon Outdoors, a Medford, Oregon-based video news segment from the Mail Tribune, heard that both trail crews were getting together out at the Grove, they also tagged along to shoot an upcoming episode about the great work that both of these crews do to build and maintain trails in this remote part of Northern California and southern Oregon.
Not only did the NCRD trail crew share some of their tips and tricks for trail design and bridge installation, but there may also be future opportunities for SMC to visit NCRD and learn directly from the crew during the “off season” months. Perhaps some of the SMC crew may consider a career with California State Parks trail crews once their season with SMC wraps up in the fall.
 SMC group learns about the bridge construction techniques at one of the largest bridges installed along the entire 3-mile Mill Creek Trail, as part of the Grove of Titans trail project.
State Parks and Shasta Land Trust Celebrate New Partnership and Land Acquisition With Hike
Story from: Jared Zucker, Northern Buttes District
 State Parks staff, Shasta Land Trust members and the public hiked around Lake Britton at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park to celebrate the recent land acquired adjacent to the park. Photos from Shasta Land Trust.
At the end of 2021, California State Parks acquired 135 acres adjacent to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. With the acquisition came a new partnership with the Shasta Land Trust, which holds a conservation easement on the parcels. On Friday, June 29, California State Parks hosted the Shasta Land Trust's inaugural guided hike to celebrate the new partnership and showcase the park's ecological value, biodiversity and public recreation opportunities.
The Shasta Land Trust and members of the public were joined by State Parks Environmental Scientist Trish Ladd and Supervising Ranger Ryan Rzab who provided an overview of the park's significant natural and cultural resource values, as they hiked to Pioneer Cemetery and Cemetery Cove through one of the newly acquired parcels.
The Shasta Land Trust acknowledged the importance of the new acquisition’s connectivity to Lake Britton and the surrounding streams that make it an essential conservation zone for aquatic species like the river otter, western pond turtle, southern long-toed salamander, Pit-Klamath brook lamprey and waterfowl, as well as a variety of endangered and threatened specifies like Shasta crayfish and rough sculpin.
California State Parks and the Shasta Land Trust are excited to partner in protecting these lands.
Tehama County Students Explore William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park
Story from: Veronica Lamoureaux, Northern Buttes District
 Local students enjoying the day and learning about the natural and cultural history at William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park. Photo from Jennifer Pooley, Northern Buttes District.
William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park welcomed local students to the park as part of its Summer Learning Program. The park partners with Tehama County’s Safe and Educational Recreation for Rural Families to develop a summer curriculum focusing on the park's natural and cultural history.
This program consists of three parts: a project students do with their instructors at the school, a virtual field trip hosted by interpreters and an on-site visit to the park where interpreters and volunteers encourage the students to explore the park through guided activities.
During the on-site field trip, the students complete three activities. First, they become history detectives and explore the park for clues about 1800s life. Then the students go on a nature hike where they are encouraged to use all their senses to take a closer look at our park’s riparian habitat. The third activity is an in-depth look at our 1850s heritage garden paired with a water conservation relay activity.
We enjoy this partnership with our local schools and bridging the school years by inspiring students to take an interest in the natural wonders and history around them.
Learn more about the Environmental Studies Programs here.
Orange Coast North Sector Takes Group Photos to a New Level
Story from: Michelle Figueroa, Orange Coast District
 Group photo taken at Bolsa Chica State Beach using a drone camera. Photo from Jerry Macias and Andres Weishaupt, Communications and Marketing Division.
The Orange Coast North Sector aquatic rescue team recently took to the water for an epic annual group photo.
Lifeguards and peace officer lifeguards from Bolsa Chica State Beach (SB), Huntington SB and Crystal Cove State Park showed up in force with their Surf Watch vessels, patrol Jet Skis and rescue boards. United under the same cause, these teams work in unison, always lending a helping hand to the visitors who need it and to each other.
The camaraderie shared both inside and outside of the water sets the foundation for even quicker and more efficient rescues. With a team like this, visitors can feel safe when enjoying our Orange County state beaches!
 A photo taken from a distance of lifeguards and peace officer lifeguards at Bolsa Chica State Beach. Photo from Jerry Macias and Andres Weishaupt, Communications and Marketing Division.
California State Railroad Museum Docent’s Research Extends Across the Country
Story from: Debbie Hollingsworth, Capital District
Our lives are made of railroad stories. That is a phrase we say a lot at the California State Railroad Museum (CSRM). It is our unifying theme. Story is how we engage our audience and create community. One of our CSRM docents has taken this philosophy to heart, and in the process, has added to the scholarship of our museum and created a community that literally spans the country from the West to East Coast.
Her name is Chris Pifer-Foote (pictured). Chris stumbled upon her topic of interest innocently enough when we asked her to join our team of women docents to participate in a Speakers Bureau and deliver presentations about the “Crossing Lines, Women of the American Railroad” exhibit to interested groups. We asked Chris to prepare a special presentation on Anna Judah, one of the featured women in the exhibit who was the wife of Theodore Dehone Judah, civil engineer instrumental to the design and establishment of the first Transcontinental Railroad. Chris and every woman who participated in the Speakers Bureau did incredible work on their presentations. However, Chris, I think it’s fair to say, became obsessed with tracking down Anna Judah’s artwork. Over the course of the past two years, she has worked with the historical societies, libraries, archives and descendants of Anna and her family. She even worked with the historian of the U.S. Capitol to enquire about the displays of Anna’s work on behalf of the Transcontinental Railroad back in the 1850s.
This month, Chris visited Anna’s hometown of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and met with the historical society there. Greenfield’s local newspaper, Greenfield Reporter, wrote an article about Chris and her quest to find Anna’s watercolors.
Chris is not the only CSRM docent devoted to researching topics of interest to our community. As a "laboratory of learning," we are fortunate to have so many devoted volunteers who embrace a multitude of diverse topics at the museum.
Thank you, Chris, for your passion about Anna Judah and helping us understand that she was a woman of talent and expertise in her own right, and not merely the wife of a famous man.
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 Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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To view current job openings within California State Parks, please visit our jobs webpage at www.LiveTheParksLife.com.
State Parks Webinars, Job Spotlights and Open Exams
 FREE WEBINARS
California State Parks: How to Get a State Job: Meet with the Recruitment Team to discover the many rewarding career opportunities waiting just for you at California State Parks. In this webinar, on Wednesday, July 20, 1:30-2:30 p.m., you'll learn about taking state assessments, how to create your CalCareers account, the different career opportunities and more. Click here to register.
California State Parks: State Park Interpreter Series: State Park Interpreters help develop fun, interactive educational programs to help teach others about the historical and cultural significance of our parks and educate others on how to protect and preserve the environment. This webinar, on Thursday, August 4, 1-2 p.m., will cover everything from taking the assessment(s) to applying for a job. Register today. Click here to register.
JOB SPOTLIGHTS
Associate Governmental Program Analyst – Apply by July 15, 2022: California State Parks is hiring a Tribal Affairs Program Analyst. Join the team in this exciting role and serve as the lead for the Tribal Memorandum of Understanding Program. You will be providing analytical and administrative support to the Tribal Affairs and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act programs, and facilitating tribal consultation efforts throughout the state to strengthen partnerships between California Native American Tribes and California State Parks. Take the online assessment. Click here for more information.
Museum Technician – Apply by July 20, 2022: We are now hiring a Museum Technician at Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park (SHP). Indian Grinding Rock SHP is looking to hire an enthusiastic team member to aid in the park's collections management. Duties for this position include caring for artifacts, cleaning, tracking and cataloging objects. Click here for more information.
Staff Park and Recreation Specialist – Apply by Aug. 8, 2022: We are now hiring a Staff Park and Recreation Specialist in San Francisco. This position is responsible for coordinating visitor use, activities and events at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, located in the city and county of San Francisco. Take the online assessment. Click here for more information.
Seasonal/Part-Time – No deadline: With more than 40 openings statewide, now is a great time to get started in a seasonal/part-time job at California State Parks. With no exam needed, apply to our Park Aide, Maintenance Aide, Environmental Services Intern, Park Interpretive Specialist or Forestry Aide openings today. Click here for more information.
EXAM SPOTLIGHTS
CEA – Chief, District Facilities Management Program – Apply by July 29, 2022: Join California State Parks Facilities and Park Maintenance Division in a leadership position. The CEA, Chief of District Facilities and Maintenance, advises State Parks leadership and the Governor's Office on critical park operations policy matters. This position provides expert testimony to the California State Legislature, Boards and Commissions on State Parks operations policy issues. Click here for more information.
State Park Equipment Operator – Apply by Sept. 1, 2022: From developing new recreation areas to restoring our parks, our State Park Equipment Operators are essential to keeping visitors safe, preserving our precious resources and ensuring our state parks are operational for all to enjoy year-round. Click here for more information.
Park and Recreation Specialist Exam Series – No deadline: The Park and Recreation Specialist exam series is now online and continuous. Take the assessment (entry level to supervisory) anytime. From grant administration to outdoor education, the right exam is available to match your education and experience level. Click here for more information.
State Park Interpreter I, II and III – No deadline: The State Park Interpreter I, II and III assessments are now available online. Our Interpreters develop interactive educational programs and teach the rich histories of California. Click here for more information.
Superintendent Series – No deadline: The California State Parks Superintendent assessments are available online. As a Superintendent, you'll be responsible for the protection and management of natural and cultural resources, public safety and law enforcement functions, visitor services, interpretation programs, real property management, facilities maintenance and administration. Click here for more information.
Employment Tips
Experience Counts – Don't forget: All experience—paid and unpaid—counts. Make sure to add all your relevant work experience opportunities to your resume and application.
If you have any questions regarding these opportunities, connect with us at Recruiting@parks.ca.gov. We’re happy to help!
Interested in more jobs and exams like this? Explore www.LiveTheParksLife.com to discover the possibilities.
Join the Parks Jobs mailing list here. We can send you updates on jobs and exams that interest you!
Angeles District Chief Ranger Lindsey Templeton Set to Retire After More Than 30 Years With State Parks
Story from: Craig Sap and Mohamed Zuhair, Angeles District
 Angeles District Chief Ranger Lindsey Templeton at the Corral Canyon Cave, in Malibu, California, talking with park visitors. Photo from Mohamed Zuhair, Angeles District.
After more than 30 years with California State Parks, Angeles District Chief Ranger Lindsey Templeton has announced he plans to retire on Sunday, July 31.
“It has been my distinct honor and privilege to end my career as the chief ranger of the Angeles District,” said Lindsey.
In 1984 Lindsey started his State Parks career as a seasonal lifeguard at the Channel Coast District, and in 1990, he was assigned to Asilomar as a lifeguard cadet. After graduation, his first assignment was in the Orange Coast District at Huntington State Beach. He later transferred into the Angeles District-Topanga Sector as a ranger.
During his State Parks career, Lindsey provided leadership in all the core functions as a lifeguard peace officer, ranger, supervising ranger, acting sector superintendent and then as the Angeles District chief ranger.
Lindsey showed his leadership expertise as he helped guide the Angeles District though several difficult events such as the Woolsey Fire, Spring Fire, COVID-19 pandemic and devastating and destructive floods. “I am especially proud of the fact that the Angeles District weathered these historic challenges while still providing top-notch services to our park visitors, staff and the surrounding communities,” said Lindsey.
“It has been an honor working alongside Lindsey and I want to thank him for his strong commitment to California State Parks,” said Interim Angeles District Superintendent Craig Sap. “He will be missed, and we wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.”
 Chief Ranger Lindsey Templeton, Angeles District, is set to retire at the end of July. He started with State Parks as a seasonal lifeguard in 1984 at Huntington State Beach. Photo from Mohamed Zuhair, Angeles District.
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Style time! Here are this week's tips to help spread the word about our departmentwide style guidelines:
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911: Acceptable in all references for the U.S. emergency call number. Do not use hyphens. Example: She called 911 to report a car accident.
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personal protective equipment (PPE): Spell out on first reference; acronym acceptable to use for subsequent references.
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parklands: One word.
Keeping a consistent writing style ensures the Weekly Digest looks and sounds its best. Each week, the Communications and Marketing Division reviews submitted articles for proper grammar and punctuation and style consistency––from capitalization and hyphenation to proper acronyms and active/passive voice usage. In general, we follow the Associated Press style and Merriam-Webster, but at times we use our own department-specific style.
We always welcome your feedback on how to “Live the Parks Life” in (writing) style. Connect with us via email at weeklydigest@parks.ca.gov.
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 San Diego North Sector Office
Park aides for the San Diego Coast District, recently met at the North Sector Office in Carlsbad, California, to learn about the latest updates for the campground operations. Park aides are usually the first faces whom campers see, setting the tone for a pleasant visit. This year, the interpretive team joined the meeting, answering questions and letting staff know how campers can access the schedule for in-person campground programs. The park aides are managed by Supervising Lifeguard/Peace Officer Erik Burgan and State Park Peace Officer (Lifeguard) Goodwin “Goody” Pompa.
Photo from Sandy Tolzda, San Diego Coast District
 Richardson Grove State Park
A northern flicker enjoys a beautiful day at the park. Northern flickers are one of the few woodpecker species that migrates.
Photos from Ann Hagerman, North Coast Redwoods District
 Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
The Humboldt lilies are one of the highlights of the peak wildflower season here in Cuyamaca. They are like orange lanterns hanging in the greenery around them.
Photos from Michele Hernandez, Colorado Desert District
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
A rare and much-needed Fourth of July rainstorm at Mill Creek Campground.
Photo from Doug Johnson, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 New Brighton State Beach
The marine layer keeping offshore, allowing for a sunny dusk.
Photo from Doug Johnson, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 MacKerricher State Park
Fog comes onshore off the Pacific Ocean shortly after dusk.
Photo from Doug Johnson, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Fern Canyon after some early July rain.
Photo from Doug Johnson, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Tips for a Wellness Journey to Health
Story from: Brooke Haugen, Risk Management Division
 Hiking for wellness: Getting outdoors and taking a hike can benefit your mental and physical health. Here's a hike I took at beautiful Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Last week, we introduced Weekly Digest’s new “Health and Wellness” section. This week, I would like to shed light on what exactly wellness is and how it is different from health.
The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Wellness is multidimensional and an active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to health. In simple terms, health is the goal and wellness is the active approach to achieving it.
Here are some basic tips you can include for your own wellness journey:
- Stay hydrated. How much water is enough varies by individual, as well as factors such as activity level, clothing worn, sweat rate, medications and climate conditions. It is best to consult with a doctor if you have questions or concerns about your hydration status. For more information, check out the American Heart Association website.
- Get adequate sleep (six to eight hours a day).
- Move your body daily. The recommended minimum number of minutes of activity for adults is 150 minutes per week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This can include activities such as walking, gardening, cleaning, dancing, playing and strength training.
- Check in with your friends and family.
- Create a monthly budget and stick to it to minimize financial stresses.
- Check out your local farmer’s market for fresh and in-season produce.
- Find healthy ways to manage your stress, for example, exercise, meditation, gratitude journaling, going outside and taking time to enjoy your hobbies.
Adding these small habits on a regular basis will have a big impact on your wellness journey. Be sure to check in next week for more tips!
Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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Visitor Thanks Park Interpretive Specialist Kat Gabrielson for Amazing Junior Ranger Program
 Interpreter Kat Gabrielson helps a young camper make s'mores. Photo from Michelle Levesque, Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District.
I would like to take a few minutes of your time today to recognize an employee who works at MacKerricher State Park. Her name is Katherine [Kat] Gabrielson and she is in charge of the Junior Ranger program for children.
She is truly an asset to the park. Both my granddaughter and I enjoyed the program very much and attended three different sessions.
She is caring, demonstrated by the way she talks to the children with safety in mind first. She is very patient with all questions, and my granddaughter asked quite a few.
We enjoyed the campfire program which was so interactive and funny, both children and adults really had a good laugh, while learning quite a lot.
We will be visiting Van Damme State Park July 21st thru 25th and plan on traveling up to MacKerricher for several programs with Kat. I want my other two grandchildren to experience her program also.
In closing, I would just like to say that Kat's love of MacKerricher park and the harbor seals really shines through, even in the rain!
Sincerely,
Cheryl Forrester
Parents of Rescued Juveniles Thank State Park Peace Officer and Santa Cruz County Dispatch Operator
Austin and Don,
Thank you for helping me find and save our son and his girlfriend who needed rescuing along the coast near Santa Cruz.
When I called you Austin, I didn’t know what to do. All I knew was my sons phone was showing black on “find my iPhone” and Natalie was not answering Snap Phone. (Cause that’s a thing). You were so calm, quick thinking, smart and methodical. You asked questions and then asked people around you for help. When you got back to me after putting me on hold, you asked good questions like would you like to file a missing persons report. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. You went back and asked for more help. Then you thought to patch me through to State Beaches. You and state beaches spoke and then they let me know a full fledged rescue had been underway.
State-beach (maybe State beach office or dispatch) said a lot of things all of which must have been happening real time as they were likely getting real time information from Don and the other rescue teams on the beach. With a lot of questions we were able to understand that Blake and Natalie were Code 4 which means ok. We were told that an officer would call us soon.
Officer Don Crouthemel did call three times in fact (my ringer was off for the love of god!) and he was calm, kind and methodical. He told me what happened and how three teams came together to make a rope system to help them get off the rock. From Don we learned they had to be rescued from the beach by a rope system because the tide had come in and they couldn’t get back through the cave hole they had climbed through earlier. We learned they called 911 somewhere around 10pm and Don answered or called them and said he was 2 minutes away. Don must have called the two or three other departments immediately and together they made an immediate rescue. Don knew so much he knew what percent of battery Natalie’s phone had and that Blakes phone was dead or off. Officer Don had met Blake and Natalie earlier that day at a different beach and spoke with them. Don has been their guardian Angel all day thank you.
Everyone who reads this please feel with us how grateful we are to all of you. I will send this note to every email you share with me: GOV Gavin Newsom, State level police, fire, rescue and state beaches chiefs, parents grandparents children I will write to them all and tell them YOU SAVED MY CHILD and another persons child’s life. Thank you. You have been guardian angles.
Beth and Morgan
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The Weekly Digest includes a collection of news articles related to the
California Department of Parks and Recreation. The views expressed and opinions do not always reflect that of the department.
To view this week's News Clips, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/NewsClips.
Correction: On the July 8, 2022, issue of the Weekly Digest, the photo credit for the house finch at Morro Strand State Beach was incorrect. The photos were taken by Trae Lynn Neal from the San Luis Obispo Coast District.
 Weekly Digest Article and Photo Submissions
If you have an article or photo you would like to submit for the Weekly Digest, please send your entries via email to WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
For an article submission, please include:
- Author’s name and division/district.
- All relevant information (e.g., headline, park name, dates, name of event, individuals’ full names and titles, etc.).
Articles should be no longer than 300 words.
For photos, please include:
- Photo credit info and captions.
- Photo release forms should be kept on file for non-employees or volunteers.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos included in the Weekly Digest are courtesy of the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
The deadline for Weekly Digest submissions is close of business Thursday. For more information, email WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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