California State Parks Fully Reopens Brannan Island State Recreation Area
Story from: Communications and Marketing Division
![Brannan Island SRA collage](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/12/6812273/4457939/brannan-island-sra-collage-for-digest_crop.jpg) Images of Brannan Island State Recreation Area. Photos from Wes Gray and Ryen Goering, Diablo Range District; Eric Chiu, Park Delta Bay; and Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division.
California State Parks this week announced the full reopening of Brannan Island State Recreation Area after moving to reduced operations earlier this year. All areas of the park opened to the public on Thursday, December 1. The public can begin booking camping reservations starting Jan. 1, 2023. Park Delta Bay will operate the state recreation area, which includes day-use areas, a boat launch ramp and campground sites.
Brannan Island is a maze of waterways through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Located northeast of San Francisco Bay, the park unit has countless islands and marshes with many wildlife habitats and opportunities for recreation, including boating and swimming. The state recreation area will now be open full-time, with hours of operation running from sunrise until one hour after sunset, seven days a week.
“Thank you to the public for their patience as State Parks searched for a new park operator at Brannan Island State Recreation Area,” said Clint Elsholz, Diablo Range District acting superintendent. “We’re excited for the partnership with Park Delta Bay to bring camping and day-use opportunities back to Brannan Island.”
Based in Isleton, Park Delta Bay currently operates 120 campsites and 120 slip marinas at Delta Bay. The facility has been around for about 30 years and the current ownership for seven years.
To learn more, view our press release.
State Park and National Park Service Rangers Help Rescue Stranded Hikers at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Story from: Keven Harder, North Coast Redwoods District
![Prairie Creek Redwoods SP (Stranded hikers collage)](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/11/6784916/4449140/prairie-creek-redwoods-sp-stranded-hikers-collage_crop.jpg) Left: Lost hikers on Friendship Trail headed back to Fern Canyon parking lot at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Top right: State Park Ranger Emily Christian, capturing a photo of the terrain. Bottom right: Very steep and vegetated terrain, a third of mile down, where hikers were found. Photos from Emily Christian, North Coast Redwoods District.
National Parks Service (NPS) Ranger Lisa Attendorn, who currently resides at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, as well as State Parks Peace Officer (SPPO) Ranger Emily Christian, recently helped two stranded hikers in the Fern Canyon area. On Monday, November 21, Ranger Attendorn received a call at 10 p.m. from the Northern Communications Center regarding a woman reporting that her 18-year-old daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend were overdue from returning from their hike. SPPO Ranger Christian responded to the location as well and was on-scene by 11:30 p.m.
The lost hikers, attempting to navigate a shortcut off of the ridgetop Friendship Trail, had traveled off-trail through thick vegetation and forests with no flashlights, food or water, and were wearing fair-weather clothing. After traveling through this vegetation in the dark for about a third of a mile, the couple came to a 200-foot-high bluff. As it was pitch-black, they could not navigate their way back up the steep heavily vegetated hillside. The couple found one small area where their cellphone had reception and called for help.
NPS Ranger Attendorn located the lost party at 3:15 a.m. the following morning and made verbal contact with them as they were above her, perched on the bluff, and she was below them on Coastal Trail. Ranger Attendorn directed them to stay put, as this was the only location where their cellphones received service. Ranger Attendorn then made a spike camp with Search and Rescue gear and spent the remainder of the night below the lost couple, keeping occasional contact with them. SPPO Ranger Christian remained in the Fern Canyon parking lot as a communications point in her vehicle throughout the night as well. I arrived on-scene by 5:30 a.m. and coordinated a multiagency response for the rescue operation.
By 7 a.m., all resources were in place and the search and rescue team set off to locate and extricate the missing hikers. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, National Parks Service Fire, Orick Volunteer Fire Department and local ambulance assisted with search and communications. At approximately 10:45 a.m., the missing parties were located. It took rescuers approximately two-and-a-half hours of crawling on elbows and knees to extricate themselves and the hikers the third of a mile through the steep uphill and heavily vegetated terrain back to the Friendship Trail, where they then continued the 3-mile hike back to waiting parents and family members who had assembled in the Fern Canyon parking lot.
All fire, medical and law enforcement units cleared the scene by 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, a nearly 14-hour event for Rangers Christian and Attendorn, who had also worked a day shift the prior day and spent the night camped out on-scene. Great efforts by Rangers Christian and Attendorn, who were, needless to say, exhausted and hungry by the end. The hikers were in good spirits and healthy but very tired and hungry after spending the night in the 40-degree weather.
Monterey Lifeguards Honored With Medal of Valor for Heroic Rescue
Story from: Ryan Petersen, Monterey District
![Monterey Lifeguards Honored](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/12/6812248/monterey-lifeguards-awarded-medal-of-valor_original.png) Lifeguard II Megan Brady (left) and State Park Peace Officer (Lifeguard) Erin Kothlow receive the Medal of Valor. Photo from California Surf Lifesaving Association.
State Park Peace Officer (Lifeguard) Erin Kothlow and Lifeguard II Megan Brady from the Monterey District were honored with the Medal of Valor from the California Surf Lifesaving Association and United States Lifesaving Association on Oct. 6, 2022, for their heroic rescue at Limekiln State Park (SP).
On Dec. 26, 2020, two fishermen attempted to enter the dangerous surf with their kayaks at Limekiln SP, located on the Big Sur Coast. The surf was 10-15 feet, with pounding shore break in 52-degree water. Upon entering the water, the pounding surf grabbed both men, sending their kayaks back to shore and sending the men out to sea.
Lifeguards Kothlow and Brady responded from Monterey, about 60 miles away from where the men were stranded. Each man was at least 1/3 mile away from shore, now suffering from hypothermia and having difficulty staying above the waterline. The two men had been in the water for over an hour and a half and were now separated from each other by a substantial distance.
Kothlow and Brady both entered the water through 15-foot shore break. Brady was able to extract the first person and passed him off to the personnel waiting on shore. She went back out to assist Kothlow with the second rescue. As they attempted to get to shore, the surf pounded them over and over again, pulling them back into the sea. After a monumental effort and at great risk to their own safety, they were able to pull the second person out of the water.
In addition to this the Medal of Valor, both Kothlow and Brady received the Special Act/Service Awards at the 2022 Director’s Awards for State Parks. This award is given for an extraordinary act of heroism that extends far above the normal call of duty or service and is performed at great risk to their own safety or life in an effort to save lives and/or property.
Congratulations to the both of them!
Basic Trails Program: Maintenance and Management Training
Story and photos from: Galen Miller, Cannabis Watershed Protection Program
![Basic Trails Training students](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/12/6816995/4459821/basic-trails-training-students-on-new-trail_crop.jpg) Students are taught to use fire line construction techniques to effectively construct reroutes and new trail.
The California State Parks Basic Trails Training recently took place at Marconi Conference Center State Historic Park and Samuel P. Taylor and Tomales Bay State Parks. The one-week course provides a series of workshops and field exercises focused on the department’s trails specifications and standards. The curriculum includes all aspects of sustainable trails: design, layout, planning, maintenance, construction and trail system development, and management.
The training, led by experienced trail program managers from State Parks and the National Park Service, was provided to State Parks staff, multiple land management agencies and partnering youth corps. State Parks attendees from 14 districts and headquarters, including environmental scientists, geologists, interpreters and maintenance workers, represented a variety of disciplines. Representatives from 15 outside agencies also attended.
In addition to learning about trail fundamentals, participants also had the opportunity to learn how sustainable trail principles protect natural and cultural resources and promote access. The students can take the skills and knowledge they learned during this class and apply them to their own projects and parks throughout California.
![Basic Training Trails collage](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/12/6817032/4459822/basic-trails-training-collage_crop.jpg) Top left: Bay Area District Environmental Scientist Bree Hardcastle educating the students about the local natural resources and species that live in the watershed adjacent to the trail construction site. Bottom left: Participants at the California State Parks Basic Trails Training at Marconi Conference Center State Historic Park. Right: Reconstruction of a switchback to reestablish proper drainage.
Hungry Valley State Recreation Area Hosts Fall Events, Including Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Week
Story from: Callista Turner, Great Basin District
![Hungry Valley SVRA (OHV safety week collage)](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/11/6759316/4440197/hungry-valley-svra-ohv-safety-week-collage_crop.jpg) OHV Safety Week programs were held at Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. Programs included how to buckle a helmet properly and motorcycle safety training classes from Interpreter Callista and Ranger Lincoln. Photos from Callista Turner, Great Basin District.
The third week of October was Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Safety Week, and this year's event included extended safety programs throughout the month, focusing on helmet safety at Hungry Valley State Recreation Area (SVRA). Additionally, I also shared the new recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) whip and flag requirements at Hungry Valley.
As part of the safety program, those who could demonstrate they knew how to buckle (not snap!) a helmet properly were given a special dirt bike rider safety first button. Meanwhile, those who did not know how to buckle their helmet were shown how. Over 150 people were shown how to properly buckle their helmets.
Hungry Valley Ranger Brian Lincoln stopped by during his motorcycle safety training class. Even adults had a chance to improve their riding techniques by taking a free class from a certified instructor with many years of experience (we won’t say how many for Lincoln’s benefit).
Hungry Valley SVRA rests at the top of the Tejon mountain that one crosses driving from Bakersfield, California, to Los Angeles. The largest town for 35 minutes in any direction is the town of Frazier Park, California, with a population of 2,700. Small, rural communities create strong bonds, and Hungry Valley SVRA has been reaching out to bring the next generation to the park. Because of the distance between the sparce homes and the lack of a centralized population center, locals get together to help the geographically scattered families celebrate holidays.
On October 28, Frazier Park Elementary School hosted an afternoon of trick-or-treating, a bounce house and a variety of games. Heavy Equipment Mechanic Chris Bartman, Ranger Joseph Kurtz and I had a very popular booth making Halloween-themed buttons, throwing burrowing animals into their home (a version of cornhole) and providing photo ops in the ranger vehicle side-by-side. A healthy dose of candy, stickers and maps filled the Halloween pails of the hundreds of kids who descended out of the rural mountain roads to the elementary school. Communities such as this one and programs offered to the Boys and Girls Club afterschool club and at the local library bring much-needed visibility and local community support to the park.
As a team, the Hungry Valley SVRA staff show how much they care for each other, their community and their home.
![Hungry Valley SVRA staff at Frazer Park Elementary (collage)](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/11/6759336/4440198/frazer-park-elementary-hungry-valley-svra-staff-col_crop.jpg) Heavy Equipment Mechanic Chris Bartman (left), Ranger Joseph Kurtz (top right) and Interpreter Callista Turner (bottom right) attended the Frazer Park Elementary event in October. Photos from Chris Bartman and Callista Turner, Great Basin District.
State Parks Staff Attends California Boating Safety Officers Association Training Symposium
Story from: Joanna Andrade, Division of Boating and Waterways, and W. Jacob Pflepsen III, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
![Updated boating safety officers training group pic](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/11/6799657/4453772/boating-safety-officers-assoc-training-sympoisium-r_crop.jpeg) Left to right: Deputy Director for Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) Ramona Fernandez; Superintendent II W. Jacob Pflepsen III (Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division); Staff Services Managers Deborah Holmes and Joanna Andrade with DBW. Photo from Lt. Rick Strobel, San Diego Lifeguards.
California State Parks staff attended the California Boating Safety Officers Association (CBSOA) one-day training symposium on Monday, November 7. During the one-day training symposium, staff provided updates on behalf of the Division of Boating and Waterways. In addition, staff heard about various topics such as leadership, accident cases on the Colorado River, impact statements from a MADD representative and case studies with the use of a remotely operated vehicle.
CBSOA was established in 1973 by a small group of officers who saw a need to improve the training and interaction between all of California's boating safety officers. It is a statewide law enforcement association that meets biannually and discusses industry trends, safety concerns, best practices and legislative changes. Throughout the year, CBSOA produces the BEACON, a newsletter that covers training and general news of interest.
To learn more about CBSOA, please click here.
Eagle Scout Candidate Helps Create New Interpretive Signs at San Elijo State Beach
Story from: Sandy Tolzda, San Diego Coast District
![Cardiff SB_Eagle Scout project](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/11/6793162/4451654/cardiff-sb-james-armstrong-eagle-scout-and-officer-_crop.jpg) State Park Peace Officer (Ranger) Jared Kolar and Eagle Scout Candidate James Armstrong at the interpretive sign. Photo from Kelly Armstrong, San Diego resident.
Thanks to Eagle Scout candidate James Armstrong, San Elijo State Beach has two brand new interpretive signs. This will make it possible to post information daily, regarding the in-person campground programs, tide schedules and other relevant information. The size of the boards allows the announcements to be easily seen by all.
Here is some background James gave about the project:
“My name is James Armstrong and I'm an Eagle Scout Candidate from Troop 681 in San Diego, CA. My family and I regularly visit our State and National Parks so when the time came to pick an Eagle Scout Project, I knew I wanted to contribute to the park system in some way. I met Ranger Kolar from San Elijo State Beach Campground and with his partnership we came up with my project, which was two information signs for the San Elijo State Beach Campground. These signs will allow Park Interpreters an easy way to communicate activities with guests. It was a great experience learning about how our state parks operate and working with Ranger Kolar. I hope guests of the campground get benefit from my signs for many years to come.”
Volunteer Coordinators Gather for Training
Story and photos from: Rachel Young, Partnerships Division
![Vol coord training_1 - VC 35 - Class Photo](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/11/6802278/4454524/vol-coord-training-1-vc-35-class-photo_crop.jpg) Volunteer Coordination Group 35 Class (and presenters). Back row (left to right): Park Aide Daniel Lewis, Central Valley District; District Interpretive Specialist Dennis Stephen, Colorado Desert District; Interpreter I Michael Deagon, Great Basin District; Interpreter I Alex Trudelle, Santa Cruz District; Park Aide Karri Pearcey, Central Valley District; Staff Services Analyst Katie Freeling, Community Engagement Division; Interpreter I Sara Howlett, Monterey District; Senior Park Aide Vanessa Arroyo-Sanchez, Santa Cruz District; Environmental Services Intern Syd Magner, Colorado Desert District. Front row (left to right): Staff Services Manager I Emily Walsh, Partnership Division; Ranger Darren Wynns, San Luis Obispo Coast District; Ranger Robert Simoneaux, Orange Coast District; Staff Services Analyst Chinh Nguyen, Community Engagement Division; Interpreter II Jeremy Lin, Sierra District; State Historian II Amy Hart, San Luis Obispo Coast District; Park Interpretive Specialist Sam Bell, Sierra District; Guide I Stuart Thornton, Monterey District; and Volunteers in Parks Program Specialist Rachel Young, Partnerships Division. Photo from Taylor Monson.
Recently, a group of new and seasoned staff joined together at the Mott Training Center for Volunteer Coordination training. This training provided staff responsible for coordinating volunteer programs with valuable information about policies and best practices for interacting with and managing our valuable volunteers.
The training included the basics of volunteer coordination, including recruitment, training, registration and recognition. There were also sessions covering basic background knowledge on the topics of legal issues, human rights, public safety and risk management, and how those matters affect volunteers. The training also included more advanced topics such as bringing diversity, equity and inclusivity to volunteer programs, working with cooperating associations and how to handle difficult volunteer situations.
Elective classes were also offered and were made available to attend virtually for volunteer coordinators who could not make it to the full week of training. These electives covered topics such as using the department’s volunteer management database and how to manage specific types of volunteer programs, including student volunteers and interns, camp hosts and school group volunteers.
One of the highlights of the training was a half-day field trip to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, where the class had the opportunity to see the park’s dynamic volunteer program in action. The field trip included a tour of portions of Whalers Cove from docent Randy May, as well as the opportunity to explore other parts of the park while interacting with other docents along the way. The training ended with another highlight—a Q&A session with a panel of experts made up of several veteran volunteer coordinators: Karen Barrett, Lisa Bradford, Betty MacPherson and Dennis Stephen. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to ask questions, explore scenarios and learn possible solutions from seasoned staff.
We look forward to our next Volunteer Coordination training, which will be held virtually the week of March 20, 2023. Staff interested in attending can register on FOCUS.
![Vol coord training (collage)](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/11/6802287/4454525/vol-coord-training-collage_crop.jpg) Top left: Point Lobos SNR docent Randy May gives a tour of the Whalers Cove to the class. Top right: Crystal Cove State Park Interpreter II Winter Bonnin gives presentation “Managing Short-Term Volunteers and Groups.” Bottom right: Donner Memorial State Park Interpreter II Jeremy Lin at and Santa Cruz District Interpreter I Alex Trudelle give presentation “Engaging, Energizing, and Recognizing Volunteers.” Bottom left: Seasoned volunteer coordinators District Interpretive Specialist Dennis Stephen, Colorado Desert District; Interpreter III Lisa Bradford, Monterey District; and Interpreter III Karen Barrett, Bay Area District, participating in the "Panel of Experts" program, answering questions from the class (Note: Ranger Betty MacPherson, Monterey District, was also on the panel, but joined the training virtually.)
Bidwell Mansion Decorated for Holiday Season
Story from: Michael Rosin-Molina, Northern Buttes District
![Bidwell Mansion SHP (holiday decoration collage)](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/11/6802315/4454546/bidwell-mansion-shp-holiday-decoration-collage_crop.jpg) Left (left to right): Curator I Ursula Felice, Interpretive Park Aide Quinn Neves and Park Interpretive Specialist Michael Rosen-Molina decorate the holiday tree in the main foyer of the Bidwell Mansion. Center: The brilliant autumn colors of Bidwell Mansion's heritage gingko biloba tree seen through the mansion's festively decorated windows. Right: Museum Technician Heather Lee (left) and Ursula Felice help with decorating the mansion. Photos from Terri Lopez, Northern Buttes District.
Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park is decorated for the holidays! On Tuesday, November 29, State Parks staff and volunteers worked together to decorate the Bidwell Mansion in full Victorian style, with wreaths in the windows, garlands over the beds and presents under the giant holiday tree in the grand foyer.
The interpretive and curatorial staff (Northern Buttes District Interpreter III Terri Lopez, Interpretive Park Aides Quinn Neves and Sondra Murphy, Park Interpretive Specialist Michael Rosen-Molina, Curator I Ursula Felice and Museum Technician Heather Lee) worked alongside volunteers Nancy Leek, Steve Schoonover and Raeann Bossarte to bring the mansion to glorious winter life.
The mansion will be viewable in all its holiday splendor while enjoying a tour of the mansion during the holiday season and for the Bidwell Mansion Association’s annual holiday event on Friday, December 16.
'Christmas in Coloma' is Back at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Story and photos from: Jerrie Beard, Gold Fields District
![Christmas in Coloma collage](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/12/6812257/4457931/christmas-in-coloma-collage-for-release_crop.jpg) Top left: Enjoy traditional holiday activities such as carriage rides throughout the park. Top right and bottom left: Docents in period attire share the history of 13 historic buildings decorated for the holidays. Bottom middle: Discover the wonder of Christmas. Bottom right: Santa will be on hand to listen to Christmas wishes.
There once was "Christmas in Coloma" that was for two years in a coma, but the event is back and that’s no smack. We hope you will make this a must-go-ma!
The staff and docents of Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (SHP) are thrilled to announce that the ever-popular, community-cherished holiday event "Christmas in Coloma" will be back Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, rain or shine.
Community members, families and out-of-town guests are invited to visit this historic park in Coloma to enjoy traditional family-oriented holiday activities and explore the historic buildings at the park. Carriage rides, warming fires and holiday music will set the mood for a little holiday shopping with local vendors. Kids, young and old, will be entertained by Victorian-era games and holiday crafts. For those looking to add to their holiday decorations, fresh greens, ribbons and bows will be available for wreath-making.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa. The jolly old elf will be on hand both days from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to listen to requests and for photos.
Thirteen historic buildings in the park have been decorated for the holidays and will be open for visitors during the holiday house tour. Costumed docents will be at each building to share the history of the structure and its former inhabitants.
Hot food and drinks will be available for purchase through the Gold Discovery Park Association (GDPA), the cooperating association for the park.
Staff and volunteers put in countless hours prior to the event, gathering greens, making and hanging evergreen swags and red bows throughout the park, sprucing up and decorating the historic buildings, cleaning up the landscaping around the buildings and raking leaves … millions of leaves. District Superintendent Barry Smith said, “No leaves. I want this park to look like a Zen Garden.” And it will!
The smiles, laughter and enjoyment exhibited by visitors to the event make it all worthwhile.
We would like to thank the following local businesses for their contributions to making "Christmas in Coloma" successful: David Girard Vineyards for the grapevines for the wreath-making activity, Doug Veerkamp General Engineering Inc. for the truckload of snow, McGee’s Christmas Tree Farm and docent David Jordan for the evergreen cuttings to decorate the town and for the wreath-making activity, and Boa Vista Orchards and Barsotti Family Juice Company for the fruit and juice for staff and volunteers at the event.
"Christmas in Coloma" is sponsored by the GDPA and is the final major event held at the park each year. Proceeds from food, wristband and wreath-making sales go to the GDPA to help fund interpretive programs at the park throughout the year.
Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division’s Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program to Host Grants Workshop in Early January 2023
Story from: Katie Buesch and Jessica Terry, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division
![OHMVR Grants Workshop Flyer](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/12/6816870/4459823/ohmvr-grants-workshop-flyer_crop.jpg) The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division’s Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program (Grants Program) will host a two-day workshop on Jan. 9 and 10, 2023, starting at 8:30 a.m. to inform potential applicants on the various motorized grants available and how to apply for these grants. This will be a hybrid model workshop allowing attendees to participate via Zoom or in person. The physical location of the workshop will be in Bakersfield, California. Additionally, the workshop can be viewed later through recordings on the OHMVR Division’s website.
The Grants Program is an annual program that supports off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation in the State of California by providing financial assistance to eligible agencies and organizations that develop, maintain, operate, expand, support or contribute to well-managed, high-quality OHV recreation areas, roads and trails. Also, the Grants Program seeks to responsibly maintain the wildlife, soils and habitat of project areas in a manner that will sustain long-term OHV recreation.
Eligible applicants include cities and counties, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, other federal agencies, federally and state-recognized Native American Tribes, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, state agencies, districts and certified community conservation corps.
The Grants Program began in the early 1970s and has provided over $769 million to maintain OHV recreation while offering protection of the state’s natural and cultural resources. The OHV Trust Fund is comprised of several revenue streams, including a percentage of the gas tax, fees paid through OHV registration, gates fees from the various motorized state parks and interest earned.
Learn more by visiting the Grants Program webpage or by emailing ohv.grants@parks.ca.gov. To join the workshop virtually, please register here.
Budget Office Visits Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Story and photos from: Jerrie Beard, Gold Fields District
![Marshall Gold Discovery SHP](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/12/6812070/4457933/marshall-gold-discovery-shp-budget-office-visit-col_crop.jpg) Top: Members of the Budget Office listen as docent Norm Allen describes life in the mines during the Gold Discovery Tour at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Bottom: Park Aide Frank McKinney demonstrates a gold panning technique.
On Wednesday, November 30, the Budget Office broke away from the office downtown and headed up to the foothills to visit Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (SHP) in Coloma, California. Park docent Norm Allen took the group out to Sutter’s Mill to learn more about John Sutter, James Marshall and the discovery of gold in the tailrace of the mill on Jan. 24, 1848.
After learning about the discovery and how that accelerated California’s bid for statehood, the group headed to the panning troughs to do a little prospecting for themselves. With the help of Park Aides Frank McKinney and Matthew McDonnell, the group was able to find color and take home a few golden mementos.
Following lunch, Gold Fields Acting District Superintendent Barry Smith and Deputy District Superintendent Steve Hilton gave the group a behind-the-scenes tour of the park, starting, of course, at the carpenter shop. The shop is fully equipped to take lumber from log to finished product, aiding the maintenance team in their efforts to repair windows, sills, flooring, siding and just about anything else around the park.
Guests were also treated to exclusive tours of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall, St. John’s Church and other historic buildings in need of or in the process of being restored.
Joint Efforts Toward Fire Resiliency at Mount Diablo State Park
Story from: Sharon Peterson and Christina McLain, Diablo Range District
![Mount Diablo SP_fire resiliency collage](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/12/6812274/4457940/mount-diablo-sp-fire-resiliency-collage_crop.jpg) Left: Dragging branches to be chipped at Mount Diablo State Park. Top right: Chipping in progress. Bottom right: Mount Diablo State Park staff member Shane Cano doing chainsaw work. Photos from Christina McLain, Diablo Range District, and Sean Burke, Save Mount Diablo.
Mount Diablo State Park continues ongoing work, supported by the Wildfire and Forest Resiliency Program, to reduce hazardous fuel conditions. These efforts recently got a manpower boost from volunteers organized by nonprofit organization Save Mount Diablo.
Staff has been using chainsaws to remove dead and dying material along a stretch of trail with widespread mortality of manzanitas from drought conditions. In addition to removing dry, hazardous fuels, staff has been thinning live material 100 feet from the road to relieve overgrown conditions and create a zone that acts as a shaded fuel break in case of wildfire.
The materials that were removed were piled on site. The park then partnered with Save Mount Diablo to organize volunteer events led by State Parks staff members for chipping the piles of branches on September 17 and November 18.
Thanks to the joint efforts of Mount Diablo staff, the Wildfire and Forest Resiliency Program, Save Mount Diablo and community members, work has been completed on approximately 5 acres.
![Bear Digest Divider](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2021/11/5218956/digest-divider_original.jpg) PARTNER NEWS
Parks California's Natural Resources Stewardship Career Pathways Grantees Spotlight Mentorship in State Parks
Story and photo from: Alfred Torres III, Parks California
![Crystal Cove SP (interns)](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/11/6759165/crystal-cove-sp-interns_original.png) Crystal Cove Conservancy interns develop post-fire monitoring protocols at Crystal Cove State Park to help park track wildlife and vegetation response.
Parks California continues the final segment of our #ParksForEveryone campaign, highlighting Natural Resource Stewardship Career Pathways grantee stories.
Check out three more innovative nonprofit grantees working in their communities and with State Parks to build more pathways to natural resource careers. The stories are part of a series of videos to learn firsthand about the participants' experiences:
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Crystal Cove Conservancy interns have been tracking vegetation and wildlife response to the 2022 Emerald Fire through a unique park internship program developed between Crystal Cove Conservancy, California State Parks and University of California, Irvine.
- Sonoma Youth Ecology Corps participants have been busy with wildfire recovery work while gaining meaningful career exposure and mentorship at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve through a partnership with Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods and State Parks staff.
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Amah Mutsun Land Trust works to restore the Tribe’s role as environmental stewards of their ancestral lands in areas such as Año Nuevo State Park. Their work with controlled burns, land restoration and addressing climate change highlights Indigenous stewardship in parks. The partnership includes the Bank of the West, which works to amplify the Tribe’s efforts in parks.
Parks California proudly launched the Natural Resource Stewardship Career Pathways grant program in 2021. Through this program, it partners with organizations across the state and California State Parks to broaden access to natural resource job training opportunities.
We invite you to join us in the #ParksForEveryone movement by visiting the Parks California website and sharing on your social channels.
![Bear Digest Divider](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2021/11/5218956/digest-divider_original.jpg) ![Fall Photo Contest graphic 1](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/CNRA/2022/09/6478042/fall-photo-contest-graphic_original.jpg) Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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