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 February 24, 2023
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 Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
View from the highway of Mono Lake surrounded by snow.
Photo from Kimberly Milruya, Communications and Marketing Division
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Celebrating Black History Month with the Secretary Speaker Series on Black Environmental Stewardship on February 27
Story from: California Natural Resources Agency
 Celebrate Black History Month with the "Secretary Speaker Series: Black Environmental Stewardship" program, where we will connect with and learn from Black and African American practitioners and hear about the actions people are taking now and for our future.
Here are the details about this virtual program:
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Date: Monday, February 27
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Time: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
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Where: Virtual on Zoom. Click here to register.
The Natural Resources Agency invites you to join them for this special Secretary Speaker Series event, where they will connect over shared stories and learn from Black environmental stewards on perspectives and priorities in the natural resource and conservation movement.
For those who are unable to view the live webinar, it will be available later next week at Resources.ca.gov/About-Us/Secretary-Speaker-Series. Learn more about Black History Month at Resources.ca.gov/BlackHistoryMonth.
Women & Girls in Science Workshop for Employees of Natural Resources Agency and Its Subsidiaries on February 28
Story from: Laura Kujubu, Communications and Marketing Division
 The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will be hosting the “Women & Girls in Science Workshop: Effectively Communicating the Science Behind California’s Natural Resources” on Tuesday, February 28, from 1 to 3 p.m., which will focus on inclusive and effective ways of communicating the scientific work done on and for California's natural resources.
The program will feature an in-person presentation from Dr. Faith Kearns, author of "Getting to the Heart of Science Communication: A Guide to Effective Engagement." Following the talk from Dr. Kearns, DWR will host a panel session with science communication practitioners/leads from several California resource agencies, including State Parks Cultural Resources Division Chief and Department Preservation Officer and Tribal Liaison Leslie L. Hartzell, Ph.D. After the panel session, there will be an opportunity for a Q&A session with the audience.
Please note that attendance is only open to employees of the California Natural Resources Agency and its subsidiaries. Click here or above to register for the workshop.
Climate Change, Communities and Culture: Why Uplifting People is at Heart of Our Climate Action
Story from: Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for Natural Resources
 All Californians pay a price when our lands are unhealthy. Our physical and mental health declines, our economic growth stalls and the very things we need to survive—food, water and shelter—become much harder to obtain. Additionally, climate change is one of the greatest threats facing culture today. The uprooting of communities due to climate change threatens entire ways of life, including the practice and transmission of living heritage. Oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, festivities and traditional knowledge, including crucial knowledge about the environment, are all vulnerable in the face of climate change.
In California, we know that some communities face disproportionate impacts from climate change, particularly low-income and rural communities, communities of color and California Native American tribes. These impacts include the loss of cultural richness and identity.
The California Natural Resources Agency has an important role to play in the creation and implementation of the state’s climate change strategies. As we consider the best ways to combat the fallout of climate change—including increased drought, flooding, wildfire, sea level rise, heat and pollution—we must recognize these historical inequities and the fact that some communities have been deprived of the tools they need to survive and thrive amidst these threats. We must ensure that they have an equal voice in deciding how to shape our state’s future natural and cultural resource management efforts.”
To read the full blog, click here. The blog includes examples on how California is driving forward on climate change priorities while protecting cultural and natural resources and embedding equity as a core commitment. Some of the work that State Parks has been doing has been included in the blog.
Help Us Welcome Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety to Social Media
Story from: Communications and Marketing Division
 Photo from Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety.
Welcome to social media! Established in July 2021, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety works to ensure electrical utilities are taking effective actions to reduce utility-related wildfire risk. Their mission has expanded to underground safety with the addition of the Underground Facilities Safe Excavation Board.
The office operates under several guiding principles, one of which is delivering near-term results while promoting a long-term utility vision to reduce wildfire and underground risk and to build safety cultures. Measures are being implemented to ensure an integrated, utility-related wildfire mitigation and underground safety approach; incorporate local perspectives into a utility’s process to reflect community differences; support decision-making with data and analytics; and exercise innovative problem-solving for developing new utility wildfire and underground safety solutions.
For the latest updates about their work in utility safety and wildfire mitigation, follow them on all their social media platforms! Follow the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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Director Quintero Represents State Parks at 2023 California Tribal Nations Summit
Story from: Leslie L. Hartzell, Cultural Resources Division
 Invited participants arriving at the California Tribal Nations Summit, with California Natural Resources Agency photomural in the background. Photo from Leslie Hartzell, Cultural Resources Division.
California Tribal Nations Summit reconvened in person this year at the California Natural Resources Agencies auditorium on Monday, February 6. Elected Tribal Leaders from across California, as well as Governor Gavin Newsom and the administration’s cabinet secretaries, gathered together to reaffirm the importance of respectful, government-to-government relationships. Panel discussion formats encouraged dialogue about issues and concerns of mutual benefit between representatives of sovereign Tribal Nations and state government agencies and departments.
“It was an honor to be among so many tribal leaders, to listen, learn and share stories. With every opportunity, we strengthen partnerships in our common efforts to steward historic and cultural heritage for the benefit of our communities today and into the future,” said State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco, California Office of Historic Preservation, who was present at the summit.
Director Armando Quintero contributed to the panel discussion regarding ways to revitalize local economies through culture. Tribal Leadership shared their experiences in developing a myriad of creative ways they are bringing cultural engagement to the fore in diversifying funding, education, housing, health care, land stewardship and job opportunities for tribal members.
Director Quintero shared examples of how State Parks’ collaborative agreements with tribes—like the Yurok Tribe who now staff and operate the Chah-pekw O’ Ket’-toh “Stone Lagoon” Visitor Center—are opening avenues to enhance visitor experiences throughout state parks. To illustrate, he shared a story about being granted permission from a tribal elder to hold a condor feather. This particular feather was recently collected by a researcher who was monitoring the newly released birds and witnessed the feather drop. While the director spoke, he demonstrated that when held the feather at his waist, the tip of the feather was above his head. It was the longest, primary wing feather. He marveled that this was the first feather recovered from a condor seen flying over Yurok lands in 100 years. He ended by saying, “It’s on display in the visitor center now,” adding, “that’s the kind of work I want to see across the state.”
 Top (left to right): Director Armando Quintero; Chairman Reid Milanovich, Aqua Caliente Tribe; Chairman Andrew Alejandre, Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians; Chairman Joseph James, Yurok Tribe; and Ryan Becker, Visit California. Photo from Julianne Polanco, Office of Historic Preservation. Bottom right: “Nurturing Tribal Families” panel moderated by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom (right) with (center) Councilmember Zendejas, Fort BidwelI Indian Community, and (left) Director Goodpasture, Acorns to Oak Trees. Bottom left: First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who moderated the panel discussion “Nurturing Tribal Families,” and Director Armando Quintero.
Community Bids Farewell to Pier and Helps With
Post-Storm Cleanup at Seacliff State Beach
Story from: Paul Karz, Santa Cruz District
 Volunteers gather at Seacliff State Beach to help with beach cleanup and say farewell to the pier, which will be removed after significant damage from January 5 storm. All photos from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division.
Neighbors and friends of Seacliff State Beach (SB) gathered on Saturday, February 18, for a beach cleanup and to say a farewell to the pier connecting the beach to the SS Palo Alto. State Parks, partnering with Save Our Shores and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, organized the cleanup to clear the trash that floated ashore after the January 5 storm.
Besides devastating much of Seacliff SB, the storm also swept away half the pier and made the other half unsafe. Sometime by the end of this month, demolition crews will be removing the rest of the pier to the sadness of all who have visited.
Click here to watch a State Parks YouTube video of the event. For more information about the damage sustained at Seacliff SB, please read the press release.
 Top: Remaining half of pier after January 5 storm. Bottom right: Driftwood swept onto beach after the storm. Bottom left: Tires washed ashore being removed.
 Top left: Volunteers picking up garbage left ashore after storm. Right: Congressman Leon Panetta (19th District) (left) and District Superintendent Chris Spohrer assessing cleanup. Bottom left: Removing plank from the beach.
Hands-On Museum Collections Management Work at Columbia State Historic Park
Story from: Lisa DeLacy, Central Valley District, and Jena Peterson, Cultural Resources Division
 Training participants and instructors—still smiling after three hard days of work! Back row (left to right): Central Valley District Museum Technician Kaylee Pinola, Northern Buttes District Museum Technician Heather Lee, Cultural Resources Division Museum Curator I Andrew Case, Capital District Park Interpretive Specialist Charlene Duty, Central Valley District Museum Curator I Lisa DeLacy, Great Basin District Cultural Resources Supervisor Steve Ptomey, Inland Empire District State Park Interpreter I Andrew Fitzpatrick, Capital District Park Aide Ursula Hebert, Cultural Resources Division Museum Technician Joanne McKenney and Central Valley District Museum Curator III Lee Eal. Center row (left to right): Capital District Park Interpretive Specialist Morgan Braun, Cultural Resources Division Museum Curator III Jena Peterson, Capital District Museum Technician Taylor Moore, Cultural Resources Division Senior Park Aide Sherry Dixon, Central Valley District State Park Peace Officer Betty Wong and Monterey District Museum Technician Francisca Bravo-Lazaro. Front row, standing (left to right): Monterey District Museum Technician Hailee Singleton, Northern Buttes District Museum Curator I Ursula Filice, Capital District Park Interpretive Specialist Seng Khang and Angeles District Senior Park Aide Maria Garcia. Front row, kneeling (left to right): Monterey District Park Maintenance Assistant Adrianna Pareja, Cultural Resources Division Park Interpretive Specialist Stephanie Wolfe, Cultural Resources Division Museum Curator II Wil Jorae, Bay Area District Senior Park Aide Denise Fowler and Diablo Range District State Park Interpreter I Julio Ortiz. Photo from Central Valley District.
Columbia State Historic Park (SHP) hosted the departmentwide Museum Collections Management Basic Training, from February 6 to 10. Statewide Museum Collections Center (SMCC) and Central Valley District (CVD) staff worked together to plan the immersive training. The historic park—designated as a National Historic District—has not had a full-time curator since 2014 and posed countless overdue curatorial tasks, making it an ideal classroom for beginning collections managers.
Columbia SHP greatly benefited from the 27 participants and trainers performing hands-on curation and preservation tasks. Many of the exhibits and museum displays received a thorough cleaning and general freshening, including object rotations for artifacts that had been on display for years and needed a rest out of the spotlight.
Hands-on training also included installation of new UV film on exhibit windows, proper cleaning techniques, photographing and inventory of objects, marking objects with museum numbers, making padded hangers, rolling quilts for textile storage, updating object condition reports, performing rust abatement for metal objects and discussing leather preservation methods. CVD Maintenance staff took part in some of the more complicated tasks of moving heavy objects and educating the group on using jacks to lift wagons and rotate their wheels.
Presentations by SMCC staff generated question-and-answer sessions in a comfortable setting, so even the newest collections managers could have their basic questions addressed. The supportive environment of the first in-person collections management training since the COVID-19 pandemic was a productive win for historic collections in parks throughout the state.
A big thank you to CVD interpretive, maintenance and curatorial staff for their work preparing for and hosting the training. A huge thank you to all the training participants and instructors for their hard work at Columbia SHP!
 Top left: State Park Interpreter I Caleb Masquelier demonstrates mining techniques during a tour of Columbia for training participants. The tour created the context for the work performed throughout the week. Photo from Jena Peterson, Cultural Resources Division. Top right: Many hands make light work of rolling this quilt for storage. Left to right: Museum Curator II Wil Jorae, Senior Park Aide Denise Fowler, Museum Curator I Ursula Filice, Park Interpretive Specialist Morgan Braun, Museum Technician Joanne McKenney, Park Maintenance Assistant Adrianna Pareja and Museum Technician Kaylee Pinola. Photo from Lisa DeLacy, Central Valley District. Bottom left: Park Interpretive Specialist Stephanie Wolfe and Park Aide Ursula Hebert cleaning an exhibit in the Columbia State Historic Park Museum. Photo from Jena Peterson, Cultural Resources Division. Bottom middle: Central Valley District Museum Curator I Lisa DeLacy discusses the curatorial challenges of an extensive outdoor collection during a behind-the-scenes tour of Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. The tour spurred topics of problem solving, the necessity of Historic Structure reports, and ways to organize, monitor and prepare for emergencies involving complicated collections. Photo from Wil Jorae, Cultural Resources Division. Bottom right: Senior Park Aide Sherry Dixon tackles dust and cobwebs in the Columbia Gazette building. Photo from Jena Peterson, Cultural Resources Division.
 Park Interpretive Specialist Seng Khang applies a sheet of new UV film to a window panel in the Tibbits House parlor. Photos from Wil Jorae, Cultural Resources Division.
 Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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To view current job openings within California State Parks, please visit our jobs webpage at www.LiveTheParksLife.com.
State Parks Job Spotlights and Open Exams
 IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL RECRUITMENT EVENTS
Visit the online Recruitment Events Monthly Calendar to find out when the State Parks Recruitment Team will be at an event near you.
JOB SPOTLIGHTS
Associate Personnel Analyst – Apply by Feb. 28, 2023: If you are enthusiastic and can provide great customer service, we need you! As the Associate Personnel Analyst, you will help interpret and apply a wide variety of personnel laws, rules, policies and processes. Take the online Associate Governmental Program Analyst self-assessment and apply. Click here for more details.
Maintenance Mechanic – Apply by Feb. 28, 2023: Lake Perris in the Inland Empire District is looking for a lead person for various levels of maintenance staff to help with carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical and masonry projects. Click here for more details.
Environmental Scientist – Apply by March 21, 2023: Looking for a job to work as an Environmental Scientist with Natural Resources at State Parks throughout Southern California? You can help provide natural resources expertise for park development projects. Take the online assessment and apply. Click here for more details.
Environmental Scientist (Permanent Intermittent [PI]) – Apply by March 21, 2023: Apply for this part-time job with benefits as an Environmental Scientist (PI). You can help provide natural resources expertise for park development projects. Take the online assessment and apply. Click here for more details.
Forestry Aide – Apply by dates vary: There are multiple opportunities to assist with a variety of program functions, including vegetation management involving, forest restoration, prescribed fire and invasive plant removal throughout the state. Click here for more details.
Chief Information Officer – Until filled: We are now hiring a Chief Information Officer (CIO) to join our executive team at California State Parks. As the CIO, you will oversee California State Parks Information Technology (IT). This includes IT Project and Portfolio Management, Network and Client Services, and Web and Application Development. Click here for more details.
District Superintendent II – Until filled: We are now hiring a District Superintendent II at the San Diego Coast District Office. This position will be responsible for directing the overall activities of the district, which include natural and cultural resource management and protection, visitor services, interpretation, aquatic programs, facilities maintenance, capital outlay engineering, landscaping, property management and historic property preservation. Click here for more details.
Park Maintenance Worker II – Apply by dates vary: There’s still time. We have several opportunities throughout the state for Park Maintenance Worker II positions. This is a rewarding position with diverse assignments, including maintaining, restoring, improving and repairing numerous facilities and grounds. Click here for more details.
Seasonal/Part-Time: Multiple Opportunities – Apply by dates vary: Wherever you are in the state, there is an opportunity for you to gain valuable experience on park operations. Apply to become a Park Aide, Maintenance Aide, Environmental Services Intern, Park Interpretive Specialist, Guide Trainee or Forestry Aide. There are no assessments to take. Click here for more details.
ASSESSMENT SPOTLIGHTS
Park Maintenance Assessments – Self-schedule is open: The Park Maintenance Assistant and Worker I assessments are available. Schedule a date, time and location that best fits your schedule. Facilities and Park Maintenance staff work on various restoration projects and keep our parks clean, safe and operational for all. Space is limited and are first come, first served. Don’t miss your opportunity for this meaningful career. Click here for more details.
Senior State Archeologist – Apply by Feb. 24, 2023: Today is the final day to apply. Don’t miss your chance for this opportunity. Apply to take the Senior State Archeologist assessment. You need two years of experience as an Associate State Archeologist or five years of experience in cultural resource management and protection programs to qualify. Click here for more information.
Senior Park Maintenance Worker II – Apply by Feb. 27, 2023: If you have two years of experience as a Park Maintenance Worker I or three years of experience in a construction, building repair or mechanical trade, send your application to take the Senior Park Maintenance Worker II assessment. Click here for details.
Park and Recreation Specialist Exam Series – No deadline: The Park and Recreation Specialist exam series is now online and continuous. Take the assessment (entry level to supervisory) anytime. From grant administration to outdoor education, the right exam is available to match your education and experience level. Click here for more information.
State Park Interpreter I, II and III – No deadline: The State Park Interpreter I, II and III assessments are now available online. Our Interpreters develop interactive educational programs and teach the rich histories of California. Click here for more information.
Communications Operator – No deadline: Our California State Parks Communications Operators are emergency dispatchers who monitor emergency communications systems, answer calls for service, log incidents and dispatch field units to emergencies. Click here for more information.
Superintendent Series – No deadline: The California State Parks Superintendent assessments are available online. As a Superintendent, you will be responsible for the protection and management of natural and cultural resources, public safety and law enforcement functions, visitor services, interpretation programs, real property management, facilities maintenance and administration. Click here for more information.
EMPLOYMENT TIPS
Sending your application form via post mail? Be sure that your application is postmarked by the final filing date so that it is accepted for review.
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!
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Style time! Here are this week's tips to help spread the word about our departmentwide style guidelines:
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Q&A: OK to use in body text on first and subsequent references.
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first come, first served: Note the comma and the "d" in "served." If using as a modifier, then hyphenate; e.g., "The seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis."
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Correction from last week's Weekly Digest: closed-toe shoes: Use dash (not apostrophe, as stated in last week's style tips) and note the "d" in "closed": "closed-toe shoes" versus "close-toe shoes."
Keeping a consistent writing style ensures the Weekly Digest looks and sounds its best. Each week, the Communications and Marketing Division reviews submitted articles for proper grammar and punctuation and style consistency––from capitalization and hyphenation to proper acronyms and active/passive voice usage. In general, we follow the Associated Press style and Merriam-Webster, but at times we use our own department-specific style.
We always welcome your feedback on how to “Live the Parks Life” in (writing) style. Connect with us via email at weeklydigest@parks.ca.gov.
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 Columbia State Historic Park
Abraham Lincoln, aka Dale Kiper, who is a local resident and history enthusiast, visited the park's ranger station to celebrate his birthday on Presidents Day.
Photo from Lisa Domser, Central Valley District
 Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Click here or on video above to watch a recording of a Facebook Live program with Interpreter I Kyle Achziger, discussing this snowy, rare sighting at the park.
Video from Kyle Achziger, North Coast Redwoods District
 Crystal Cove State Park
Giving credit where credit is due. The park aides have been going above and beyond. They have been helping the maintenance aides with managing the overflowing amount of brush and invasive mustard on the trails and in the campgrounds. Pictured are seasonal park aides, seasonal maintenance aides and their leads. Well done!
Photo from Marty Kansriddle, Orange Coast District
 Nevada City, California
This past weekend I represented two California State Parks films at the 2023 Wild & Scenic Film Festival. The films “Big Basin Speaks” and “Song of the Hermit” both screened twice to festival audiences and will go on tour across the country this year. Here I am on stage (left) with Allison Nelson, who is the ornithologist featured in the film “Song of the Hermit."
Photo from Sarinah Simons, Sierra District
 Asilomar State Beach
Top right: Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division's Teri Guida, Betsy Essepian Muller and Michele Garcia take in a sunset at Asilomar State Beach.
Photos from Michele Garcia, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 North Coast Redwoods District
Snow along the Smith River. Click here or above to watch the video of beautiful snow along the river.
Video from Erin Gates, North Coast Redwoods District
 Humboldt Redwoods State Park
A light dusting of snow in the coast redwoods, featuring our always-accurate weather rock and giant sequoia.
Photo from Cleo Domingo, North Coast Redwoods District
 Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Left: Old-growth redwoods wishing they had packed an extra layer for this winter storm. Top right: Sunrise on the Smith River. Bottom right: A snowy morning in an alder grove.
Photos from Ian Jones, North Coast Redwoods District
 Auburn State Recreation Area
A Placer County snowplow clears snow from Foresthill Road.
Photo from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division
 Auburn State Recreation Area
Snowy scenes Friday morning, including a Placer County snowplow clearing snow from the road heading down to the confluence from Foresthill Road.
Photos from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division
 Mount Tamalpais State Park
A snowy Mount Tamalpais seen from my living room window.
Photo from State Parks Director Armando Quintero
 Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
The perfect redwood photo doesn't exist ... or does it?
Photo from Simone DuRand, North Coast Redwoods District
 Morro Strand State Beach
View of Morro Rock.
Photo from Trae Lynn Neal, San Luis Obispo Coast District
 South Carlsbad State Beach
Check out these reefs that were exposed from the recent storms, seen here from the campground.
Photo from Mike Powell, San Diego Coast District
 Sue-meg State Park
Looking north toward Wedding Rock during a break in the storm. Large breaking waves between 20-24 feet and snow levels dropping to 500 feet gave us "coasties" quite a beautiful winter show.
Photo from Lisa Davison, North Coast Redwoods District
 Saddleback Butte State Park
View of the survey marker and snow-capped mountains from Saddleback Butte Peak.
Photo from Kimberly Milruya, Communications and Marketing Division
 Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park
Art from nature on display at the picnic area.
Photo from Kimberly Milruya, Communications and Marketing Division
 Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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Feb. 21, 2023
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The Weekly Digest includes a collection of news articles related to the
California Department of Parks and Recreation. The views expressed and opinions do not always reflect that of the department.
To view this week's News Clips, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/NewsClips.
 Weekly Digest Article and Photo Submissions
If you have an article or photo you would like to submit for the Weekly Digest, please send your entries via email to WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
For an article submission, please include:
- Author’s name and division/district.
- All relevant information (e.g., headline, park name, dates, name of event, individuals’ full names and titles, etc.).
Articles should be no longer than 300 words.
For photos, please include:
- Photo credit info and captions.
- Photo release forms should be kept on file for non-employees or volunteers.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos included in the Weekly Digest are courtesy of the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
The deadline for Weekly Digest submissions is close of business Thursday. For more information, email WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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