Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition Meets at Calaveras Big Trees State Park to Give Update on Protection of Giant Sequoias From Wildfire Risk
Story from: Communications and Marketing Division
 Top: Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition meets outside Jack Knight Hall at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Bottom right: California State Parks Director Armando Quintero speaks to the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition inside Jack Knight Hall. Bottom left: Central Valley District Superintendent Danielle Gerhart presents at coalition meeting. Photos from Jorge Moreno, Communications and Marketing Division.
Officials from the State of California, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA Forest Service), National Park Service (NPS), Tule River Indian Tribe of California and Save the Redwoods League—all members of the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition—announced today that they have made significant progress to restore the giant sequoia range and help protect it from severe wildfires.
In its first year of large-scale collaboration, the Coalition far exceeded its goals, treating 4,257 acres—more than double the acres originally targeted for restoration in 2022—in 36 of approximately 80 groves. Members also planted more than 248,000 native conifer seedlings, including giant sequoias, in groves that had burned in recent years.
The Coalition gathered at Calaveras Big Trees State Park Wednesday, December 14, to issue a progress report on the work conducted throughout 2022 by the public and non-governmental organizations.
Giant sequoias are the largest trees in the world, and severe wildfires have killed approximately 20% of the mature trees since 2015.
The two federal agencies that own and manage the majority of giant sequoia lands, the USDA Forest Service and National Park Service, implemented emergency actions this summer to accelerate the pace and scale of work.
“An unprecedented crisis demands an unprecedented response,” said Jessica Morse, deputy secretary for forest and wildland resilience, California Natural Resources Agency, which houses the California State Park System. “Federal, state, nonprofit and tribal partners have teamed up to protect critical old-growth giant sequoia groves. Unprecedented funding and a shift in government business practices—like deploying emergency authorities for the National Environmental Policy Act—have enabled us to scale and speed up crucial resilience projects. The loss of more than 10,000 giant sequoias is a somber testimony to the severity of the crisis. These resilience projects will make the difference between these monarch trees surviving or succumbing to the extreme climate pressures they face."
To learn more about the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition event, click here.
 Demonstration during Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition meeting on how trees are climbed up to the top to check on tree health. Photos from Jorge Moreno, Communications and Marketing Division.
Making a Difference, One Little Step at a Time
Story from: Jason De Wall, Northern Division Chief
 View of the majestic giant sequoias in the snow at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Photos from Adam De Wall.
My son had an opportunity to come home with a few days of leave from the Navy this week, and he brought a friend Alex, who is also serving with him in Michigan. Alex had never been to California and dreamed of seeing the natural wonders of the west, including the giant sequoias. As chance would have it, I was attending a media event at Calaveras Big Trees State Park this past Wednesday, December 14, for the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition (see article above about the Coalition meeting). They both rode with me and made plans to snowshoe through the North Grove while I was busy with staff and partners for the day.
When I met them for the ride back, Alex showed me all the photos he took and told us how he always dreamed of seeing this but being in the grove and standing beneath some of the largest living organisms on the planet was awe-inspiring—and to get to experience it after a fresh coat of Sierra snow was a bonus. The discussion on the drive consisted of how these trees have lived through thousands of years, observing and adapting along the way, and how resilient they are to fire. Alex talked about a whole new appreciation for the trees and the work we are performing in the field to protect them. In a funny way, my son chuckled and said, “I just thought you go to work and come home and didn’t understand how much you and the department do.”
My takeaway is that we have the unique opportunity every day to make a difference, one little step at a time, and sometimes in a big way like joining and actively participating in something like the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition. However, it’s the work the coalition provides through our employees, contractors and partners that make the difference—everyone in the field, the Partnerships Division, contracts, budgets, accounting, personnel, and the list goes on. When we all provide support for projects like this, we really make a difference. Whether you are a headquarters employee teleworking or working from a cubicle in the Natural Resources Agency building, you may have had a hand in this partnership. If you work for a district burning piles or enforcing resource protection laws, know you make a difference. We are preserving these groves for generations to come and for people like Alex who have never experienced them.
Great work to everyone involved. Each little thing we do adds up to something much bigger than the small task right in front of you. Thank you to everyone involved for making a difference.
With Help from California National Guard, State Parks Cannabis Watershed Protection Program Cleans Former Cannabis Grows at Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Story from: Doug Johnson, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 Top left: California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force (CDTF) “Team Mike” Black Hawk helicopter. Top right: State Park Peace Officer Supervisor (Ranger) Zack Chambers LEESD (left) and Environmental Scientist Bill Miller, Bay Area District. Bottom left: Cannabis Watershed Protection Program/Special Enforcement Team (left to right): Superintendent III Jeremy Stinson, State Park Peace Officer Supervisor (Ranger) Ben Vanden Heuvel, State Park Peace Officer Supervisor (Ranger) Zackery Chambers, State Park Peace Officer (Ranger) Christopher Gazzolo, State Park Peace Officer Supervisor (Ranger) Alex Tabone, State Park Peace Officer (Lifeguard) Michael Cueto and K-9 Zehn. Bottom right: Black Hawk helicopter with "super sack" in tow. Photos from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division.
State Parks’ Cannabis Watershed Protection Program (CWPP) has been working with both the California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force and Bay Area District staff to help clean and restore Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, where growers left behind over 1,500 pounds of trash.
“The materials and chemicals that are left out there can leach into the water. Animals get into it, and almost everything I see has been chewed upon by animals. We have bears out here, and I believe our bears are getting into all this trash and pesticides,” said Bill Miller, Bay Area District environmental scientist. “Some of it is rodenticides, which have secondary effects on some of the animals ... The most important thing is to try and clean these things up.”
Over the past few weeks, teams were able to remove and dispose of most of the waste left behind at these historic grow sites.
State park peace officers, archaeologists and environmental scientists from the Bay Area District teamed up with members of the CWPP to consolidate the discarded materials, which included polyethylene irrigation tubing, tents, tarps, food containers, fertilizer, pesticide containers, a car battery and a 5-gallon propane tank. The trash was sorted on site into piles and then into large bags to be lifted out via helicopter.
“We spent about three days on the ground with a crew of about eight people, and the work on the ground consisted of hiking out to these sites, locating where the major trash sources are, consolidating it into these big garbage bags that we call super sacks and then pulling the miles of poly line that are out here. So, we cut the line and put it into piles where the helicopter can pick it up,” Miller said.
Due to their remote location, the material had to be airlifted out by a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter.
“These sites don’t seem far when you look at it on a map; the furthest site is about a mile and a half to hike. But there are no trails to these sites, and there are no roads. And it’s all on steep terrain that requires hiking through the brush and under the trees on steep slopes with loose soil. So, to haul it out by hand would have been just a tremendous amount of work. The helicopter makes it much easier,” Miller said.
CWPP was established as an interdisciplinary program within State Parks after the passage of Proposition 64. CWPP crosses virtually all program areas in the department and includes a specialized team of state park peace officers, numerous Natural Resources and Cultural Resources Divisions staff members who lead efforts at remediation and restoration, District Facilities Management employees who tackle unique challenges at access and restoration efforts, and many other classifications who work to meet the challenges illegal cannabis cultivation presents for our State Park System.
 Top left: Bay Area District Environmental Scientist Nicholas Colbrunn. Photo from Bill Miller, Bay Area District. Top right: Grow site trash in the Robert Louis Stevenson SP backcountry. Photo from Nicholas Colbrunn, Bay Area District. Bottom left: CWPP and CDTF personnel load more irrigation tubing into the dumpster. Photo from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division. Bottom right: CWPP Associate State Archeologists Megan Webb (left) and Erik Allen. Photo from Bill Miller, Bay Area District.
Adventure Pass to Go Live and Visits Three Adventure Pass State Parks on December 20
Story from: Daniel Williford, Interpretation and Education Division
 The Adventure Pass Exploration Live! is a live stream event aimed to educate fourth graders, their families and the general public about the California State Park Adventure Pass. This inaugural live stream event will take place on Tuesday, December 20, at 11:30 a.m. and can be viewed on both the department’s Facebook page and the Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students (PORTS) Program Facebook page.
The California State Park Adventure Pass Program is a three-year pilot program that waives day-use entrance fees to 19 participating state parks for fourth graders and their families for a full year and that was established when Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 148. This program has been launched by California State Parks, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the Natural Resources Agency.
The Adventure Pass Exploration Live! will share what the Adventure Pass is and how to get one, along with a call to action for fourth graders in California get an Adventure Pass and explore the Adventure Pass' participating parks during school breaks and throughout their fourth grade year.
Where the Adventure Pass can take you will be the focus of this live stream event, with a live visit to Silver Strand State Beach, Chino Hills State Park and Seacliff State Beach. This livestream event will be the first in a series of live streams scheduled to take place before school breaks to get fourth graders excited about exploring California state parks using their free Adventure Pass. The broadcast can also be viewed using the following link, https://streamyard.com/87jbptwukc , as well as through the three featured Adventure Pass parks Facebook pages. Please join us on this adventure!
To learn more about the Adventure Pass, visit www.parks.ca.gov/AdventurePass.
State Parks and Tehachapi Local Law Enforcement Participate in 'Shop With a Cop' Event
Story and photos from: Damion Laughlin, Great Basin District
 Top left: State Park Peace Officer (Ranger) Damion Laughlin and "Shop With a Cop" participant Hallie enjoy cupcakes that capped off the shopping spree at Walmart. Bottom left: Hallie had a blast operating the lights and sirens of the State Parks truck. Right: Hallie and Ranger Laughlin pose in front of the tree before departing on their code-3 run to Walmart.
On the evening of Thursday, December 8, Tehachapi Police Department welcomed 17 local children for the town’s annual “Shop With a Cop” event. The evening started at the Tehachapi Police Department where the children were paired with peace officers from several local agencies, including Tehachapi Police, Kern County Sherriff, California City Police, Stallion Springs Police, Bear Valley Springs Police and, of course, California State Parks. I participated in the event and was paired with Hallie.
The kids got to enjoy pizza and a special visit from Santa. Once they got their photo with Santa and told him what they want for Christmas, the kids hopped in the passenger seat of their officers’ patrol vehicles, and they all got a code-3 ride with lights and sirens across town to the local Walmart, where they could each spend a $100 gift card. Hallie had a blast operating the lights and sirens. She was a great copilot!
Once at Walmart, each child and their respective cop got to spend their $100 on whatever they wanted. Hallie spent some time picking out Barbie toys, a sketch book and markers, and even bought a Nerf gun for her little brother. After checking out and having some hot chocolate and cupcakes, it was back in the patrol truck for a ride back to the police station to reunite the kids with their parents.
All 17 children were selected by local organizations for demonstrating leadership, acts of kindness or excellent behavior. The gift cards were made possible by local fundraising. The event was a great opportunity to build positive relationships with the children and the local community.
More information about the event can be found on the Tehachapi Police Department’s Facebook page.
State Park Peace Officers Participate in 11th Annual 'Shop With a Cop' in Roseville
Story from: Kerrie Launey, Gold Fields District
 Top: State Parks Crew at the 11th Annual “Shop With a Cop” event hosted by the Roseville Police Department. Bottom left: Officer D. Thomas, Park Aide Hannah Peters and Connor. Bottom center: Officer C. Sederquist and Zayden. Bottom right: Officer T. Rosenberger, Park Aide Owen Launey and Jayce.
On Saturday, December 10, 13 state park peace officers and 14 administrators from the Folsom Lake and Auburn State Recreation Areas, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and Donner Memorial State Park, along with Parks Headquarters participated in the 11th Annual “Shop With a Cop” event hosted by the Roseville Police Department. Ten law enforcement agencies, including State Parks, sponsored 107 children for a fun-filled shopping spree at the Roseville, California, Target on Fairway Avenue.
School officials, pastors and other members of the community nominated children who reside within the local area the agencies service. Of these nominations, 107 were selected based on hardships (e.g., financial, adversity, parent with an illness). The nominated children each received a $250 shopping spree at Target. The children were paired with an officer to help purchase necessities for themselves and Christmas gifts for their families.
To raise the funds to sponsor a child, State Parks employees along with the Gold Discovery Park Association and the State Park Peace Officer Association of California donated funds to make this event successful. Officers Kerrie Launey, Sarah Morgan, Megan Sanchez, Daniel Thomas, Christopher Sederquist, Tristan Rosenberger, Greg Pielenz, Sgt. Stephanie Collins-Sowers, Sgt. Brad Cheshire, Sgt. Craig Lorge, Superintendent Scott Modeste, Superintendent Sasha Wessitsh with K-9 Ben, and Alex Lucero with K-9 Rex proudly represented State Parks.
Joining the officers were State Parks administrative staff Jeneane Novotny, Brandy Greene, Owen Launey, Nicole Martin, Emily Fleming, William Skarr, Logan Smith, Abby Flater, Hannah Peters, Angelica Klevins, Rose Calciano, Serena Wisnewski, Joe Shanahan and Clara Ganry-Mangematin.
The day started at the Mahany Sport Complex in Roseville, where the children were paired with an officer and administrative staff member. After a 30-minute meet and greet, the officers drove the children in their patrol vehicle to Target. The ride to Target consisted of a motorcade of approximately 110 or more police cars with lights and sirens. Once at Target, the officers and administrative staff “shopped” with the children and helped them get the items they needed.
The day concluded with a luncheon at Center Point Community Church with the officers, children and their families. An array of entertainment consisting of a balloon artist, clown and music provided the participants and guests a fun finish to the event.
Thanks to various donors for providing the children gift wrapping for the items they purchased. “Shop With a Cop” was a very successful event, and State Parks hopes to continue to grow their involvement for next year.
 Top left: Officer G. Pielenz, Auburn SRA park aide and Damion. Top right: Officer B. Cheshire, Park Aide Nicole Martin and Matthew. Bottom left: Officer A. Lucero, K-9 Rex and Silas. Bottom center: Officer S. Wessitch, K-9 Ben, Park Aide L. Smith, Park Aide Rose and Daniel. Bottom right: Officer M. Sanchez and Alivia.
Mendocino Coast Sector Takes First Place at Annual Fort Bragg Lighted Truck Parade
Story from: Krista Pelikan, Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District
 Top: Campsite parade float. Bottom: The ocean-themed float featuring surfing snow people and sea life under the water. Photos from Ashley Brooks-Petrovich, Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District.
With a couple weeks of lead time, Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District’s Mendocino Coast Sector staff and volunteers worked hard to create two floats for the annual Fort Bragg Lighted Truck Parade. Their hard work paid off as the Mendocino Coast Sector took first place in the juried parade. This year's parade took place on Saturday, December 3, and all proceeds benefited the Mendocino Coast Children's Fund, a nonprofit that provides for the health and livelihood of children and child-centered nonprofits on the Mendocino Coast.
Two trailers were dedicated as floats—one was themed as a campsite and the other as an ocean scene depicting a family of snow people surfing. The goal of the floats was to highlight a portion of the department's mission to provide high-quality outdoor recreation. The evening of the parade drew even more staff and volunteers, who wore woodland creature outfits and ocean-themed outfits to distribute candy canes, stickers and outreach materials to the crowds.
The Mendocino Coast Sector used this as an opportunity to recruit for the springtime hiring drive. (Shameless plug: If you are reading this, we would love to have you join our team. We are hiring park aides, maintenance aides and so much more. Come live the parks life in Mendocino. We have less traffic and more beauty than you could ever imagine!) Staff and volunteers also distributed materials for our cooperative association partners, including MendoParks, Mendocino Woodlands Association, and Point Cabrillo Lighthouse Association.
A special thanks to all staff and volunteers who made this year's event a success for California State Parks.
Benicia Capitol State Historic Park Participates in First Fridays Event
Story and photos from: Julio Ortiz, Bay Area District
 Left to right: State Park Interpreter I Julio Ortiz, docent Diana King, Park Aides Patty Love, Reese Brooks and Jon Van. (Not pictured is State Park Peace Officer Jessica Sears.)
Benicia Capitol State Historic Park participated in the City of Benicia’s First Friday event on December 2. The historic capitol building opened its doors to over 200 evening guests, who were able walk around and see California’s official third capitol building. Docents/volunteers and staff were prepared and ready to answer questions, provide information and lead quick informal tours/talks.
Our docents and volunteers were also on hand to help serve free warm beverages like hot chocolate, spiced cider and tea throughout the cold night. Visitors were able to enjoy these warm beverages thanks to Benicia State Parks Association, which helps fund many of the park’s special events.
Throughout the night, the historic capitol building was also a performance stage for musicians like a bagpiper, who played a small set of holiday songs on the front steps. Additionally, like many other historic park units across California, the Benicia Capitol was decked in its holiday season flair, which provided a nice backdrop for many quick holiday photos.
Inland Empire District Hosts Annual Chili Cook-Off
Story and photos from: Enrique Arroyo, Inland Empire District
 Photo 1: Getting in the Western winter spirit are (left to right) District Chief Ranger Mike Dippel, Silverwood Sector Superintendent Ryann Gill and Perris Sector Superintendent John Rowe. Photo 2: The highly coveted Inland Empire District Annual Chili Cook-off People’s Choice Award plaque, soon to have this year’s winner, Chino Sector Manager Enrique Arroyo, added! Photo 3: The Best Presentation winning display by Ryann Gill for her Yellowstone chili. Photo 4: The honorable mention winning display of Interpreter I Ian Bernstein for his Hawaiian chili.
The Inland Empire District’s Annual Chili Cook-off took place on Wednesday, December 7, with 112 attendees at California Citrus State Historic Park. The cook-off event is an opportunity to provide sector and program updates, enjoy a delicious feast and take part in the holiday gift exchange. This year’s theme was the Western Wonderland, and staff did not disappoint. True to the theme, many staff came ready to rustle up some good holiday cheer.
There were 10 contestants for the chili contest. Best Presentation went to Ryann Gill for providing a “Yellowstone” theme. Most Unique went to Janet DeSoto for her vegan chili. Ian Bernstein received an Honorable Mention for Presentation and Uniqueness for his Aloha chili. The People’s Choice Award for best tasting chili went to Enrique Arroyo for his savory, tangy and tasty chili.
Angel Island State Park and U.S. Coast Guard Work Together on Cleanup Project
Story from: Victoria Austin, Bay Area District
 East Garrison Warehouse before (bottom photo) and after broom removal. Photos from Casey Dexter-Lee, Bay Area District.
The staff at Angel Island State Park teamed up with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) on Thursday, December 8, for an extremely successful cleanup day on the island. The goal for this project was to remove invasive plants, get long-forgotten trash out of the park and enable better access to buildings, which were an important part of U.S. military history.
The project was led by Maintenance Supervisor Alex Bok and Interpreter I John Clagett with other park staff providing assistance. Brendan Cassidy from the USCG recruited 19 of the hardest-working volunteers we have seen in years! The day started with scrap wood and debris removal, while finding a few slender salamanders and western fence lizards along the way.
The group then changed focus toward invasive scotch broom removal and cleanup. We removed several truckloads of broom and successfully cut up and removed two large fallen cypress trees. The results of the tough work filled three dumpsters with trash and scrap.
At the end of the day, we were able to see and access areas that had been overgrown for more than a decade.
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area Welcomes Back American Conservation Experience
Story from: Ben Wagner, Oceano Dunes District
 Top left: Deputy Director Sarah Miggins (right) talks with ACE crew members Eli Wakefield (left) and Carlee Koritkowski (middle) during planting work. Top middle: Newly planted silver dune lupine (Lupinus chamissonis) at the Oceano Dunes. Top right: Environmental Scientist Alex Velazquez (left) and Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) Ben Wagner (right) as they lead ACE crew during planting project. Bottom left: ACE conducting planting project at the Oceano Dunes SVRA. Bottom right: Deputy Director Sarah Miggins meets with ACE and Oceano Dunes District staff during planting work.
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area welcomed back American Conservation Experience (ACE) in December. ACE supports the district though the implementation of dust control measures and habitat restoration projects every winter dating back to 2017.
These ACE projects include planting and seeding with native dune vegetation, installing jute netting and spreading straw to reduce sand movement. All plants are grown from native plant materials collected on site to preserve the genetic integrity of the habitat. Half of the 130,000 plants that will be used for the project this season were propagated in a State Parks greenhouse on site and half by our project partners at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Horticulture Department.
Senior Environmental Scientist Ben Wagner confirmed that the crew installed over 21,000 plants over the eight-day working hitch. ACE along with the California Conservation Corp will continue planting throughout the winter months until the project is complete.
Deputy Director Sarah Miggins enjoyed speaking to each crew member about the project and encouraged them to apply for positions with State Parks. ACE provides a pipeline of workers for public lands agencies across the U.S. They operate in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, engaging diverse young adults in meaningful, hands-on conservation projects.
Two California State Parks Video Projects Selected for 2023 Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Story and photos from: Sarinah Simons, Sierra District
 Top left: Screenshot from "Song of the Hermit." Researcher Allison Nelson walks among burned redwood trees to one of her previous capture locations hit intensely by fire. Top right: Screenshot from "Big Basin Speaks." View of Big Basin Redwoods State Park actively burning during the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. Bottom left: Screenshot from "Big Basin Speaks." Environmental Scientist Portia Halbert gazes out at Big Basin Redwoods from the top of a ridge, with fires still burning in the distance. Bottom right: Screenshot from "Big Basin Speaks." Santa Cruz District staff, Portia Halbert and Ashley Weil, stand inside the middle of the iconic Mother of the Forest tree, after the fire.
We are happy to announce that two California State Parks video projects were selected for the 2023 Wild & Scenic Film Festival! The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is held every year in Nevada City, California, and hosts a slate of award-winning and inspiring environmental films from around the world.
The two projects representing California State Parks in February 2023 were both directed by me and include the films "Song of the Hermit," a film about a declining subspecies of hermit thrush that used to be abundantly found breeding in and around Big Basin Redwoods State Park before the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire devastated their populations, and a piece produced alongside Santa Cruz District staff members Portia Halbert, Elizabeth Hammack and Ashley Weil called "Big Basin Speaks," recounting that same devastating fire but from the perspective of the forest itself.
Both films will screen to live theater audiences in February, and if selected, may tour across the country in schools, theaters, community centers and at public events. This is my fourth film to make it into the festival, with last year’s successful selection, "The Bird Nerds of Mono Lake," touring in Indiana, Georgia, New York, Colorado, Minnesota, Nevada, California and more.
I believe it is important to document the important work being done across California State Parks, not only to archive important research, projects and progress, but to inspire a wide range of audiences that the work we do matters and directly impacts all of us, especially the resources we all value and work to protect.
The full slate of selected films for 2023 can be found at wildandscenicfilmfestical.org.
The Polar Express Returns to Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
Story and photos from: Mike Ninneman, Central Valley District
 Top left: Sierra Railway No. 28. Top right: Restoration Work Specialist and Engineer Matt Sagaser on engine No. 28. Bottom: The North Pole.
For the past four weeks, the annual The Polar Express train ride has been running in Jamestown, California. This is Railtown 1897 State Historic Park’s eighth year performing the event, and it is more popular than ever! This year all tickets for the 33 scheduled trips to the North Pole sold out in record time. The event has quickly become a regional tradition. Families dress in matching pajamas, and children bring their "The Polar Express" book to have it signed by Santa on board the train.
Railtown is one of a small number of North American venues that operates The Polar Express, with a working steam engine, our historic Sierra Railway locomotive No. 28. Notably, the sounds of engine No. 28 were recorded during production of "The Polar Express" film.
It is no surprise that Railtown has been rated the No. 1 The Polar Express venue in the nation. Our devoted volunteers built a North Pole village with holiday lights and trees in anticipation of the train’s arrival. The on-board cast features choreographed dancers and chefs serving hot cocoa and snickerdoodle cookies in elaborately decorated railcars. Meanwhile, the train crew dealt with a hobo lacking a valid ticket. After magically arriving at the North Pole, Santa hands each passenger a bell during the return ride to the Jamestown station. Families also had the opportunity for a personal visit with Santa in the historic Sierra Railway Jamestown Roundhouse to conclude the evening.
From all of us here at Railtown, we wish everyone happy holidays and a happy new year!
 Top left: Sierra Railway No. 28 at Jamestown. Top right: Santa with girl. Bottom: Volunteer Crew with Sierra locomotive No. 28, engineer Warren Smith (right) and fireman Jason Smith, father and son team.
Office of Community Involvement Finished 2022 With Fall Training Season
Story from: Chinh Nguyen, Office of Community Involvement
 This fall, community leaders across California gathered for Outdoor Recreation Leadership (ORL) training at San Luis Reservoir SRA, Calaveras Big Trees State Park and Castaic Lake SRA to laugh, learn and be empowered through nature. Top: Group photo of community leaders who attended ORL at San Luis Reservoir, September 16–18. Middle: Group photo of community leaders who attended ORL at Calaveras Big Trees State Park, September 23–25. Bottom: Group photo of community leaders who attended ORL at Castaic Lake SRA, October 18–20.
This past fall, the Office of Community Involvement (OCI) team finished the 2022 training season with three Outdoor Recreation Leadership (ORL) classes. The ORL trainings at San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area (SRA), Calaveras Big Trees State Park and Castaic Lake SRA brought together 94 highly motivated community leaders from 45 unique organizations all over California.
At the trainings, participants were encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and step into the “groan zone,” or the learning zone, where they could grow, bond and conquer hurdles as a team. Not only that, but the OCI team fostered an environment where the participants could freely share difficulties, solutions, new ideas and best practices about each other’s organizations and programming. Even before the trainings were over, participants were engaging in conversations about how they planned to team up and facilitate outings using the FamCamp* trailers the OCI team provides.
Aside from the planned activities, there were times that the participants could relax and be present in nature, whether looking at the water at San Luis Reservoir SRA, looking up at the trees and stars at Calaveras Big Trees, or taking a walk on the beach at Castaic Lake SRA. These were the moments that they will remember and share with their colleagues and community members. Participants shared that the ORL trainings have empowered and equipped them with the knowledge and support to bring their community’s members into the great outdoors. Other participants highlighted their increased program capacity now that they have access to FamCamp trailers in many beautiful state parks. A few days after the ORL was over, there were already requests to use the FamCamp trailers for 2023!
The OCI team also wants to take this space to thank all the State Parks staff and volunteers who helped make this 2022 training season possible. We could not have done it without all your help. Here’s to 2023!
*FamCamp is a camping access program managed by Office of Community Involvement and partnered with state parks throughout California. It is designed to lower barriers to outdoor access for underserved communities by providing no-cost campsites and equipment to ORL-certified individuals. Currently, the program has 11 enclosed trailers, with several new trailers being outfitted to go to other state parks. The trailers are filled with basic camping equipment such as sleeping bags and pads, tents, stoves, lanterns and propane tanks.
Maintenance Training at Mott Training Center
Story and photos from: Ricky Roldan, Training Section
 Top left: Introduction to Facilities Management Group 7 Class Photo. Bottom left: Introduction to Facilities Management Safety Instructor Nate Tucker. Right: Tim White from the Office of Historic Preservation.
It has been an outstanding fall maintenance season for the Mott Training Center.
From November 28 through December 2, the Mott Training Center hosted its final maintenance course for 2022. We concluded the year by hosting the Introduction to Facilities Management Group 7 (IFM 7) class. The class program outline included Facility Maintenance, Safety, Fleet Management, Accessibility to Parks Facilities (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 [ADA]), Leadership Skills, Project Evaluation Process, Career Development and FOCUS, and Basic Maintenance Hands on Skills and Lab Examinations.
In addition to this, the IFM 7 course was fortunate enough to receive a myriad of guest speakers, including Tim White (Historical Preservation), Matt Bischoff and Joanne Kerbavaz (Project Evaluation Process), Nate Tucker and Lance Chi (Safety), Graham Payne (HazMat and Basic Fleet Maintenance), Case Belltawn (Fleet Management), Todd Lewis and Branigan Schoppman (Facility Maintenance and PID). Michael Patrick (Accessibility to Parks Facilities [ADA]), Sara MS Marshall (FOCUS), Sparky “Lawrence" Ross (Electrical Basics), Vladan Glogovac (Floor and Tile), Juan Lopez (Carpentry Basics), Anthony Lechuga (Paint Basics) and Charles Patacsil (Labs Assistant).
Moreover, the Mott Training Center will recommence our Maintenance Training courses with the following consecutive classes: the Basic Electrical Group 31 class begin beginning Jan. 9-13, 2023, and the Intermediate Electrical Group 44 beginning Jan. 16-20, 2023. Please note: Electrical Classes are at maximum capacity for winter 2023.
Please keep in mind that you must register in FOCUS and complete the application process to be considered for Maintenance classes. If you are interested in upcoming Maintenance courses, please review the FOCUS calendar for the spring/fall 2023 and spring 2024 Maintenance classes. Please note: Maintenance classes fill quickly.
If you have any questions, please email Ricky Roldan, Training Specialist for the Mott Training Center at ricky.roldan@parks.ca.gov.
Have a happy and safe holiday!
Partnership at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve to Reduce High Fuel Load
Story and photos from: Aidan Sarbeck, Monterey District
 State Parks and Monterey County Workforce Development team up to reduce high fuel load at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
California State Parks and Monterey County Workforce Development have partnered together to provide young adults the opportunity to gain valuable skills and develop professional connections all while working in their local state parks. The “Green Cadre” crew has played an integral role in protecting and preserving our natural resources in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
Many factors have led to an unnaturally high fuel load here at Point Lobos, including the introduced fungal disease pine pitch canker, an altered fire regime and harsh winter storms. Since beginning work in late October, crews have been able to remove over 10,000 cubic feet (over 3 tons) of hazardous fuel from the reserve! This partnership not only promotes forest health and wildfire resiliency but fosters development in a wide variety of skills to help each of them continue to progress in their careers. Crew members have learned about native versus nonnative plants, safe handling of power tools, Indigenous people of the land and the role of fire in different ecosystems.
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 PARTNER NEWS
Parks California Announces 2022 Route to Parks Grantees
Story from: Alfred Torres III, Parks California
 A group of hikers from Ventana Wildlife Society, a Route to Parks grantee.
Route to Parks Grants, Parks California’s transportation grant program is in its third year with new and many returning recipients from across California, awarding more than $340,000 in grants. The 19 selected grantees will focus on communities facing financial hardship and reducing transportation challenges into state parks. The grants are made possible by a joint agreement between California State Parks, Parks California and the generous support of private donors.
Many underresourced communities in California experience real or perceived barriers, restricting their access to California's state parks. By addressing the transportation barrier, Route to Parks grantees connect communities to the many benefits nature has to offer. By offering relevant and meaningful experiences in parks, participants have the opportunity to build long-lasting connections with nature.
Grantees are located throughout California, including San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Los Olivos and Salinas.
To see a full list of the 19 grantees and program descriptions, please visit the Parks California website.
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