September 16, 2022

Photo of the Week

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

California State Highway Patrol Helicopter-70 takes a patient who was rescued on the River Gorge on Labor Day. Big Sur Fire staff member Lyle Southall and State Parks Lifeguard Nick Tuttle assisted with the rescue. 

Photo from Matthew Khalar, Monterey District

WHAT'S NEW

Celebrate California Latino Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15

Story from: Communications and Marketing Division

Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation earlier this week declaring September 15 to October 15, 2022, as Latino Heritage Month (LHM) in the State of California. During this month, Californians honor and celebrate the immeasurable contributions and unique stories of Latinos, California’s largest ethnic group.

“From the state’s beginnings to the present day, generations of Latinos helped build our state as we know it and shaped our social, political and economic landscapes,” said Governor Newsom. “Across all facets of society, Latino Californians contribute to our state’s vibrancy and growth every day.”

California State Parks, the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and Latino Outdoors have collaborated this year to bring several in-person and virtual events throughout LHM commemorating the actions 20th century Latinos are taking now and for the future and to learn how Latinos are protecting California’s natural, cultural and historical resources.

Earlier today, State Parks held a live stream from Old Town San Diego State Historic Park to kick-off LHM. Staff talked about the park’s history and how they continue to preserve the Latino culture through storytelling. They also shared how to make cascarones and paper flowers, which are crafts that families in Old Town San Diego and across Mexico would have made to add to the festive air. 

Below are some other events taking place during LHM. We look forward to your participation in person or virtually.

Sunday, September 25, at 9 a.m.

• HIKE: Latino Outdoors will host a special hike at Audubon Center at Debs Park in Los Angeles, California. This easy hike is nestled within the 282-acre Ernest E. Debs Regional Park. Participants can bring binoculars as there are over 140 species of birds, including American kestrels, great-horned owls, northern flickers and yellow-rumped warblers. The park will also have a celebration called “Pachanga de las Americas” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. celebrating the migration of birds and people across the Americas. More information about the park can be found here: DebsPark.Audubon.org.

Monday, October 3

715 P St., Sacramento (95814)

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• SPEAKER SERIES: The Speaker Series titled “Latinos in Environmental Stewardship” will cover topics like Latino conservation initiatives that break down barriers, improve access to public land and encourage outreach to, and new opportunities for, the Latino community to enjoy public land. Secretary Wade Crowfoot will lead the panel discussion with Latino Outdoors Founder and Director Emeritus José González, California State Parks Director Armando Quintero, Department of Water Resources Senior Environmental Scientist Esther Tracy, and State Coastal Conservancy, South Coast Tribal Liaison and Project Manager Emely Lopez. Click here for the Zoom link.

10 a.m. to Noon

• CAREER PATHWAYS: At CNRA, there are meaningful careers in natural and cultural resources. Join us to learn about the work culture and benefits of working for the agency, and how to navigate the state hiring process. You can also find out about fellowship or internship opportunities and how they can be a pathway into state service. Click here for the Zoom link.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• FILM SCREENING: In partnership with Latino Outdoors and Hispanic Access Foundation, a selection of short films will be shown that showcase the Latino connection with the outdoors and the protection of our public lands and natural resources. Click here for the Zoom link.

Stay connected with us on social media as will have updates on additional opportunities for LHM celebrations. #CALatinoHeritageMonth

Governor Newsom Signs Climate Measures, Ushering in New Era of World-Leading Climate Action

Story from: Governor’s Press Office

California enacted some of the nation’s most aggressive climate measures in history as Governor Gavin Newsom today signed a sweeping package of legislation to cut pollution, protect Californians from big polluters and accelerate the state’s transition to clean energy. The governor partnered with legislative leaders this session to advance groundbreaking measures to achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2045 and 90% clean energy by 2035, establish new setback measures protecting communities from oil drilling, capture carbon pollution from the air, advance nature-based solutions and more.

This is an essential piece of the California Climate Commitment, a record $54 billion investment in climate action that exceeds what most countries are spending and advances economic opportunity and environmental justice in communities across the state.

Over the next two decades, the California Climate Commitment will:

• Create 4 million new jobs.
• Cut air pollution by 60%.
• Reduce state oil consumption by 91%.
• Save California $23 billion by avoiding the damages of pollution.
• Reduce fossil fuel use in buildings and transportation by 92%.
• Cut refinery pollution by 94%.

To read full press release, click here.

FIELD REPORT

Nature and Community Festival Held at Sonoma State Historic Park

Story and photos from: Dave Duplantier, Bay Area District

Left: Festival attendees visit the Sonoma State Historic Park booth. Right: Kids jump on the CAL FIRE engine.

The beginning of August marked the return of the Nature and Community Festival at Sonoma State Historic Park (SHP) in downtown Sonoma, California. The festival, sponsored and hosted by Sonoma SHP, is a blend of nature, environmental and community agencies and organizations coming together to provide the public with an in-person opportunity to learn, explore and experience nature and the local community.

The goal of the festival was to bring together the great work being doing to protect nature, enhance the community and increase awareness regarding environmental impacts and challenges facing the area, the state and beyond.

Representatives from over a dozen different organizations participated, including Felidae, North Bay Bear Collaborative, La Luz, Sonoma Community Center, Wildbird Rescue, Friends of the Petaluma River, Jack London Park Partners, live owls (provided by All About Owls), CAL FIRE, a book author and one of our park volunteers, who provided instrumental music, strumming the guitar to the delight of attendees and festivalgoers. Finally, a California State Parks exhibit table, shared by our supporting nonprofit Sonoma Petaluma Parks Association, featured creative activities for kids.

The feedback from attendees and participants was very positive, and all the organizations stated they would gladly come back next year!

The Nature and Community Festival attendees visit the booths to learn more about nature and the environment. 

Emotional Intelligence Training Program at California State Parks

Story from: Sam Guida, Training Section

Screenshots of modules in the smartphone app from the Emotional Intelligence training course.

We’re thrilled to announce an exciting pilot program to help boost our emotional intelligence (EI). Sign up today to secure your spot! As part of our commitment to excellence, a select number of park employees will be chosen to participate in a breakthrough emotional intelligence training program: Oji Emotions.

Emotions—whether we like it or not—impact every facet of the human experience. Interacting with the public means we find ourselves in all kinds of emotion-filled scenarios: the joy and excitement felt by all ages at a campfire program, the frustration of a parkgoer who finds out there are no more camping spaces available, or, as state park peace officers know, the tough calls that need to be made when it counts the most. The emotion rollercoaster is real. Decades of research show that as we improve our EI, we can boost our decision-making, mental health, relationships and stress management. 

Built on two decades of research at Yale University, Oji Emotions is powered by the Oji Life Lab app and accessed through your smartphone. The best part? It’s flexible and on-the-go—just like you. Unlike a traditional training workshop, the learning takes place on your phone with bite-sized learning steps that are only 10 minutes or less in length. We’re excited to be among top organizations like Google and Johnson & Johnson who use this breakthrough program.

Oji Emotions is backed by science. This program is practical, actionable and supportive, not touchy-feely. We’re happy to report that smart people like you found this to be particularly supportive of their mental health, stress management and more. We’re excited to offer this program and see the ways it can improve your life both in and out of the parks.

To sign up, please go to the FOCUS course enrollment page and search for “Emotional Intelligence.” Enrollment requests will be accepted until Friday, September 30.

For any questions, please email me at Samantha.Guida@parks.ca.gov.  

North Coast Redwoods District Bioblitz Competition

Story from: Kyle Buchanan, North Coast Redwoods District

Cal Poly Humboldt student snapping a picture for iNaturalist. Photo from Max Forester, North Coast Redwoods District.

As schools bounce back into session, California Biodiversity Week (held September 3 -11) provided North Coast Redwoods District (NCRD) an optimal opportunity to involve California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, students in a community science competition between Humboldt Redwoods State Park (HRSP) and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (PCRSP), using the iNaturalist app. As students rolled into each park, the Bioblitz competition was all about accumulating the most iNaturalist entries within each park's boundaries.   

The iNaturalist app provides students and visitors the opportunity to identify plants, animals, scat and tracks from the palm of their hands. With just a couple snaps of their smartphone camera, over 100 students and many other participants could contribute to their allotted park’s total score, while also adding these important observations to the iNaturalist database. This app’s ultimate goal is to locate, confirm identification and store all photo entries onto the California Academy of Science’s database to allow researchers, from all around the world, an opportunity to understand the baseline status of a specific ecosystem. 

On this journey to collect valuable data, HRSP participants on Saturday, September 10, gathered 1,378 entries, while PCRSP participants on Sunday, September 11, fell right behind with 1,315 entries. Among these entries, students found late summer prince mushrooms, rare coastal-tailed frogs and the desire to continue identifying unique species in one of the world’s biodiversity hot spots—California.

Moreover, interpretation from the NCRD team emphasized the importance of celebrating biodiversity. With keeping an eye on the world’s devastating trend of massive extinction, focusing on the survival of certain species can offer all of us insight into the obstacles our planet is facing. Interconnected ecosystems, like the redwood forest, rely on the survival of native species and the extirpation of invasives. Without data, there is no way to track this. When students realized this importance, the Bioblitz competition transformed from a fun activity to a vital part of our existence.    

This event was a win-win situation. The district was able to engage the community, contribute to the iNaturalist database and harness a playful competition between HRSP and PCRSP. Ultimately, this win-win situation diminished the outcome of the friendly competition … but Humboldt Redwoods State Park won for the third year in a row!

Top: Watershed Interpreter Kyle Buchanan reveals the secret identities of Prairie Creek's benthic macroinvertebrate cohort, AKA water bug community. Bottom right: State Park Interpreter Griff Griffith discussing key components of plant identification to a group of Cal Poly Humboldt students. Bottom left: State Park Interpreters Julian Farnsworth, Griff Griffith and Kyle Achziger providing Cal Poly Humboldt students with an interpretive program emphasizing the importance of biodiversity. Photos from Max Forester, North Coast Redwoods District.

Angeles District Hosts Trail Crew Leader Training

Story from: Jason Finlay, Angeles District

State Environmental Scientist Noa Rishe Khalili demonstrating native plant identification along the trail. Photo from Rachel Glegg, Sierra Club Angeles Task Force.

Trail maintenance volunteers from Sierra Club Angeles Task Force, Santa Monica Mountain Trails Council, Santa Susana Pass Park Preservers, Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association, and the Mountain Bike Unit came together over the weekend of September 10 and 11 for crew leader training and certification at Malibu Creek State Park.

Officer Bianca Maikai (“Ranger B.”) discussed emergency response scenarios and wildfire awareness while working in backcountry settings. Ranger B. provided best practices when encountering illegal activity during trail work and gave practical instruction on turning enforcement situations into education for trail users.

Barbara Tejada, Angeles District Cultural Resources Program manager, discussed the potential impacts of trail work to our cultural and historical resources, and minimization measures to ensure our work is protecting and not damaging sensitive or sacred sites. Barbara then put on her hat as acting district interpretive coordinator and gave an overview of the Volunteers in Parks Program, Better Impact system and Bear in Mind Equal Employment Opportunity training.

State Environmental Scientist Noa Rishe Khalili delved into the flora and fauna of the Santa Monica Mountains, explaining our most pressing natural resource concerns. Noa provided instruction on minimizing the spread of invasive plants along the trail corridor during brushing and clearing. In the field, we looked at concerns with working in riparian zones, identified some native artifacts and learned signs to look for to avoid arch sites.

Day two focused on the “State Park Trails Handbook” guidelines for trail brushing and erosion control methods. Topics included drainage structure construction, trail sustainability, soil types, trail assessment and trail crew safety. With the amassed experience and knowledge of trail work, there was plenty to share and learn.

After two days spent exchanging ideas and exploring new techniques, we were all ready to get out on the trail and put our knowledge and training to work.

Top: Volunteers head out on the trail for field training. Bottom: Angeles District Cultural Resources Program Manager Barbara Tejada explains traditional uses of native artifacts found in situ. Photos from Rachel Glegg, Sierra Club Angeles Task Force.

Seeking Volunteer Guides for Elephant Seal Winter Program

Story from: Dr. Kathleen Curtis, Friends of the Elephant Seal

Curious elephant seal at San Simeon State Park. Photo from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division. 

The Friends of the Elephant Seal is now recruiting volunteers to become seasonal guides for the 2023 Winter Program at William R. Hearst Memorial Beach in San Simeon, California. As a cooperating association with California State Parks, Friends of the Elephant Seal collaborates to educate the public about elephant seals and other marine life in the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery.

The “bachelors” (young male elephant seals) on Hearst Memorial Beach are in a challenging situation. These young seals have often been in fights and arrive with bites and bruises, having been chased off nearby rookery beaches by more dominant male seals. They choose this beach to haul out for refuge and recovery. At the peak of the season there are over 20 seals, each weighing 3,000 to 5,000 pounds, resting on the beach. The seals often aggressively defend their territory as new seals arrive.

This popular public beach also welcomes hundreds of visitors and their pets on busy holiday weekends, which presents risks to both the resting seals and the public. Visitors are often unaware of the seals’ needs to rest undisturbed or the potential for aggressive elephant seal behavior. Winter guides provide education for beach visitors to prevent disturbances to the seals and to ensure public safety.

Guides are asked to commit to two four-hour shifts per month from late December through mid- March. The Friends of the Elephant Seal will provide training, guidance and materials throughout the program. Guides must be friendly, outgoing, able to stand for three to four hours and walk on the beach in a variety of weather conditions.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about elephant seal behavior in a unique environment. Seasonal residents, weekend travelers, couples, students and full-time employees are encouraged to apply for this short-term volunteer experience.

Be part of the effort to help the general public safely enjoy wildlife and learn about the amazing elephant seals. Click here to apply online; apply by Monday, October 17. Applicants must be 18 or older. For any questions, call (805) 924-1628.

PARTNER NEWS

Parks California Partners With State Parks to Launch Grants Program in Support of Fourth-Grade Adventure Pass

Story from: Alfred Torres III, Parks California

The California State Park Adventure Pass provides free entry for fourth graders and their families at 19 amazing state parks throughout the state. 

Parks California is excited to partner with State Parks’ Interpretation and Education Division to host a grants program supporting the fourth-grade California State Park Adventure Pass. Through the Adventure Pass Grants Program program, we aim to support transportation, programs and activities needed for fourth graders and their families to visit 19 participating California state parks. By reducing some of the challenges to accessing parks, we can ensure the benefits of the State Park Adventure Pass are more equitably enjoyed across families.

The Adventure Pass Grants Program is seeking proposals that will create memorable experiences for fourth graders and their families in the 19 parks participating in the Adventure Pass pilot program. Applicants should aim to increase park access for underrepresented and low-income communities who may face challenges getting to or enjoying parks.

Save the Date: On Tuesday, September 27, at 4 p.m., Parks California and California State Parks will be hosting an informational webinar, review the grant application and process, and answer any grant program-related questions. We encourage all potential applicants to attend, please RSVP here.

Grant proposals are due on Monday, October 31, and support activities will take place between February to December 2023. For more information, please visit parkscalifornia.org.

Parks California’s ‘Parks for Everyone’ Campaign Features Videos of Historic Grant Program

Story from: Sedrick Mitchell and Viktor Patino, Community Engagement Division in the Office of Grants and Local Services

Have you heard about the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP)? It is a grant program administered by State Parks’ Community Engagement Division in the Office of Grants and Local Services. Since 2008, $7.69 billion has been requested through four rounds, and the SPP has funded $1.16 billion in projects to create park access in nearly 300 communities. This grant program is the largest investment in state history in expanding access to parks in under resourced communities, with new or enhanced parks funded in every region of California.

To celebrate this historic program, Parks California produced five wonderful videos of completed new parks as part of Parks California’s “Parks for Everyone” campaign, a communications campaign to support people’s unique connection with nature. Each video features stories from across the state told by residents and local organizers who live near these community parks:

1. Eureka, Westside Community Improvement Association, Jefferson Park and Community Center. Click here to watch video.
2. City of Fresno, Inspiration Park. Click here to watch video.
3. City of Stanton, Central Park. Click here to watch video.  
4. Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, Jacaranda Park. Click here to watch video.
5. City of Cathedral City, Ocotillo Park. Click here to watch video.  

Other upcoming stories by Parks California’s “Parks for Everyone” campaign include Parks California’s Route to Parks Grantees, Parks California’s Natural Resources Stewardship Career Pathways Grantees and internships/fellowships stories.

To learn more about the campaign, please visit the Parks California website. To view the videos online, visit the Parks California YouTube channel. There is also a blog where individuals are welcome to contribute. These stories are shared through social media and a monthly newsletter.

For further information on how to contribute to the blog and the campaign, please contact Parks California Communications Manager Alfred Torres III at atorresiii@parkscalifornia.org.

NOW HIRING

To view current job openings within California State Parks, please visit our jobs webpage at www.LiveTheParksLife.com.

State Parks Job Spotlights and Open Exams

JOB SPOTLIGHTS

Maintenance Mechanic – Apply by Sept. 16, 2022: We are now hiring a Maintenance Mechanic at San Clemente State Beach. This position performs skilled work throughout the South Sector of the Orange Coast District. Duties include construction, general maintenance repair, plumbing, heating water and sewer systems, and electrical maintenance. Take the online assessment. Click here for more information.

Senior Civil Engineer – Apply by Sept. 21, 2022: California State Parks is now hiring a Senior Civil Engineer in San Diego, California. This position supervises engineering staff, develops workload assignments and prepares drawings via AutoCAD, Civil 3D and various engineering design software. Click here for more information.

Staff Park and Recreation Specialist – Apply by Sept. 21, 2022: We are now hiring a Staff Park and Recreation Specialist to oversee the department’s Statewide Roads and Trails Program. This position will plan, organize and review the work of staff and will be responsible for the overall program. Take the online assessment. Click here for more information.

State Park Interpreter III – Apply by Sept. 23, 2022: Angeles District is seeking a State Park Interpreter III-District Interpretation and Education Manager to provide high-quality, relevant and engaging interpretation and educational programming. Take the online assessment. Click here for more information.

Seasonal/Part-Time – Dates vary: 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

Guide I, Historical Monument – Apply by Sept. 23, 2022: As a Guide I, you'll lead tours for park visitors at places like Hearst Castle or other California State Parks historical monuments. If you have one year of experience in presenting to the public, apply to take the Guide I, Historical Monument, assessment. 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 informatio

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.

EMPLOYMENT TIP

Hang in there: The state hiring process takes time. Remember, there are people every step of the way to help you through the process.

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!

LIVE THE PARKS LIFE IN STYLE

Style time! Here are this week's tips to help spread the word about our departmentwide style guidelines:

• State Park System: Uppercase when referring to the entire park unit inventory of California State Parks. Please note to use singular "Park" (not "Parks") so reads "State Park System."
• goer: One word, no hyphen. Examples: parkgoer, festivalgoer, moviegoer, partygoer, theatergoer.
• backcountry: 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. 

SAVE OUR WATER

POSTCARDS

Tule Elk State Natural Reserve

First Partner of California Jennifer Siebel Newsom and her children visited the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve (SNR) on Friday, September 2, to kick off their Labor Day weekend. State Park Interpreter III Lori Wear and Chief Ranger Jack Gorman from the Great Basin District gave a tour of the reserve to California’s First Family. The First Partner was interested to hear about the success of the California State Library Parks Pass and habitat restoration efforts at the Tule Elk SNR. Left to right: Lori Wear, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Dutch, Montana, Brooklyn, and Hunter Newsom, and Jack Gorman. Click here to check out the First Partner's Instagram post about her visit to the park.

Please note that the antler pictured is used at the park for educational purposes.

Photo from Lori Wear, Great Basin District

Columbia State Historic Park

Central Valley District had the pleasure of hosting over 100 girl scouts and their families for the Girl Scouts Love State Parks Initiative at Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Columbia  and Indian Grinding Rock state historic parks on Saturday, September 10, and Sunday, September 11. The tours were full and consisted of excited families who learned about the importance of California state parks and the cultural and natural heritage they preserve.

Photo from Caleb Masquelier, Central Valley District

Half Moon Bay State Beach

State Parks volunteers and staff recently celebrated an extra-special birthday for one of our volunteers, Bob Fox. Bob, a volunteer who works across many parks in the San Mateo Sector of the Santa Cruz District, turned 90 this month! Volunteers and staff gathered at Francis Beach to celebrate Bob and all the hard work he has done for many of our parks. From trail maintenance to native plant restoration to guided elephant seal and marsh walks, the work Bob does truly makes him a volunteer who has done it all. He even leads his own volunteer trail crew, who lovingly refer to themselves as the "BobCats.” From all of us at California State Parks, we wish you a happy birthday, Bob!

Photos from Jane Stillinger, volunteer at Half Moon Bay State Beach

Sonoma Plaza, Sonoma County 

"If I can just get this thing going, my new furry friend and I are out of here!" Photo taken at Sonoma's Tuesday Night Market.

Photo from Dave Duplantier, Bay Area District

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

A busy Labor Day weekend at the reserve. 

Photo from Barbara Green, San Diego Coast District

Providence Mountains State Recreation Area

Tours of Mitchell Caverns are offered Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays. At present, tour reservations are open for September through November. Call (760) 928-2586 on Mondays to make a reservation. For more details, click here. 

Photo from Andrew Fitzpatrick, Inland Empire District

Richardson Grove State Park

Wild turkeys gather at Eel River and make plans to go hide before the Thanksgiving season.

Photos from Ann Hagerman, North Coast Redwoods District

Angel Island State Park

Scavengers such as turkey vultures and coyotes pick at the remaining flesh of a buck.

Photos from Victoria Austin, Bay Area District

Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

A pond formed in the district stockyard after a recent storm, and this group of egrets decided to take advantage of it.

Photo from Alex Napier, Ocotillo Wells District

Providence Mountains State Recreation Area

Labor Day weekend saw a continuation of the summer monsoons, which have drenched the Mojave Desert this year. Park cameras captured the lightning in slow motion and time-lapse. Click here or above to watch the video of this spectacular lightning show.

Video from Andrew Fitzpatrick, Inland Empire District

Red Rock Canyon State Park

A faint rainbow appeared over Red Cliffs during a brief break in the storm.

Photo from Damion Laughlin, Great Basin District

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Torrey Pines State Beach as seen from the 100-year-old Guy Fleming House. 

Photo from Barbara Green, San Diego Coast District

Carpinteria State Beach

A fresh, new day after a light drizzle, courtesy of Tropical Storm Kay. 

Photo from Dave Wilson, Channel Coast District

Sue-meg State Park

Early morning sunbeams through the trees on Ceremonial Meadow Road.

Photo from Kevin Manning, North Coast Redwoods District camp host

Mount Diablo State Park

Smoke plume from the Mosquito Fire as seen from atop Mount Diablo. 

Photo from Tristan McHenry, Diablo Range District

Salton Sea State Recreation Area

A serene view taken on June 22 in the Varner Harbor area.

Photo from Eva Mejia, Ocotillo Wells District

Mount Diablo State Park

On patrol in one of the many backcountry trails at Moses Rock Spring.

Photos from Jessica Wallace, Diablo Range District

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

A sliver of the marine layer at Willow Creek.

Photo from Jane Goldberg, Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District

Castle Rock State Park

Invisible neighbors live with us in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Even if we never get to see them, we can still tell a lot about them from what they leave behind. Here's what has been identified as mountain lion scat.

Photo from Lucas Dickey, Santa Cruz District

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Cuyamaca is moving into the landscape time of the year. Top left: Cuyamaca Peak. Right and bottom left: Landscapes that caught my eye.

Photos from Michele Hernandez, Colorado Desert District

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Socialization Matters and Benefits Your Physical and Mental Health

Story from: Brooke Haugen, Risk Management Division

It’s not new news that over the last two years with the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the major impacts in many people’s day-to-day lives was the lack of socialization. Social wellness is not only its own pillar of wellness, but it also provides a number of benefits in your physical and mental health.

Whether meeting with family, friends and coworkers to take a hike (click here to find a state park near you), participate in a state park event (click here to see list of upcoming events), do some crafting or watch a sporting event, engaging with others can create a sense of belonging and inclusion that many people are struggling with today. Social connections and having positive relationships in your life can also improve your ability to bounce back during hard times, also what we call resiliency.

Those struggling with resiliency and who may be isolated and have feelings of loneliness may also be struggling mentally. As emphasized during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this month, check on those who may be lonely or who may be struggling, and encourage social interactions, whether in person or virtually.

Need more ideas on how to connect with others and reduce loneliness? Click here to learn more. To understand more about social connections, click here.

THANK YOU NOTES

Kudos From Visitors From Germany for Clean Bathrooms at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

NEWS CLIPS

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.

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.