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 April 28, 2023
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 California Natural Resources Agency Building
Congratulations to the Director's Recognition Award recipients! The award ceremony took place Thursday, April 27. To watch the video of the ceremony, click here.
Photo from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division
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Governor Newsom Proclaims California Library Week
Story from: Governor's Press Office and California State Parks
Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation on Monday, April 24, declaring April 23-29, 2023, as "California Library Week." The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below.
In case you haven't heard, State Parks, in partnership with the First Partner’s Office and the California State Library, are providing free vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating state park units operated by State Parks with the California State Library Parks Pass. All you need is a library card and head to your local library to check out the pass. Learn more here.
For National Library Week, watch this video from California State Librarian Greg Lucas on all the great things you can check out at a library including the California State Library Parks Pass.
 
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California State Parks and Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Story from: Dena Mitchell, Cultural Resources Division
 Left to right: Redwood National and State Park Superintendent Steve Mietz; Department Tribal Liaison/Cultural Resources Division Chief Leslie L. Hartzell, PhD.; Tribal Affairs Program Analyst Dena Mitchell; Trinidad Rancheria Council Member James Brown; Trinidad Rancheria Chairman Garth Sundberg; Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Rachel Sundberg; State Parks Director Armando Quintero; Trinidad Rancheria Vice Chairman Robert Hemsted; Trinidad Rancheria Council Member Aprilskye Hemsted; Trinidad Rancheria Secretary/Treasurer Trina Mathewson; North Coast Redwoods District Tribal Liaison Greg Collins; and North Coast Redwoods District Superintendent Victor Bjelajac. Photo from Erin Gates, North Coast Redwoods District.
A formal signing ceremony at Sumeg Village in Sue-meg State Park, was held on Monday, April 24, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which formalizes a government-to-government relationship between Trinidad Rancheria and State Parks to discuss, in a systematic manner, park unit management actions of concern or interest within the ancestral homelands of Trinidad Rancheria.
The MOU signing took place in the presence of the Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Council and tribal members, State Parks staff, Trinidad Rancheria Chairman Garth Sundberg and State Parks Director Armando Quintero. Establishing a protocol for continuing open discussions, the MOU also outlines the responsibilities of State Parks and the Trinidad Rancheria to promote successful cooperation and partnership between the parties for the mutual benefit of State Parks and the Trinidad Rancheria.
“Through this act, we remove barriers for the Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Members to access and gather in their ancestral lands,” said Director Quintero. “State Parks also formally acknowledges the benefits of traditional ecological knowledge in the land management of these lands and processes as we better learn how to care for and sustain the land in which we all live and love.”
“This is a small but significant step toward restoring and acknowledging the inherent relationship of the people to the land from which we come,” said Rachel Sundberg, Trinidad Rancheria tribal programs director and tribal historic preservation officer. “For years, we have been required by the State of California to be permitted to exist in relationship with the lands of our ancestors. As the original people of this land, with the responsibility to take care of our plant relatives, many of us have rightfully refused to be permitted. We have always gathered the plants and medicines gifted to us by the wo-ge in these lands. We have done it according to the way our grandmothers taught us and their grandmothers before them, sustainably and with consideration for those who would come after us.”
In 2019, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-15-19, also known as the state’s formal apology to California Native Americans, which acknowledged that “the relationship between the State of California and California Native Americans was fraught with violence, exploitation, dispossession and the attempted destruction of tribal communities.” As part of addressing these wrongs, State Parks is taking stock of and critically reexamining its past, looking specifically at contested place names, monuments and interpretation in California’s State Park System as part of a Reexamining Our Past Initiative. This work includes efforts to expand mutually beneficial agreements with California Tribal Nations through the Tribal MOU Program.
“By entering into this agreement, State Parks and North Coast Redwoods District specifically acknowledge Trinidad Rancheria as a sovereign nation and supports contemporary traditional cultural practices on their ancestral lands,” said North Coast Redwoods District Superintendent Victor Bjelajac. “We enter a period of cooperative stewardship of these special places with the Trinidad Rancheria and commit to strengthen and support the good relationships that have been developed and supported by so many Indigenous elders, for so long.”
Click here to read the full press release.
State Parks Participates in ‘Missing in California Indian Country’ Regional Conference
Story and photos from: Keven Harder, North Coast Redwoods District
 Q&A discussion panel consisting of north state sheriffs, Tribal police department chiefs, California Highway Patrol and State and National Parks representatives. Chief Keven Harder far left, and Chief Troy is seated to the right.
National Parks Service (NPS) Chief Ranger Stephen Troy (Redwood National and State Parks) and I attended the first of four statewide regional conferences on "Missing in California Indian Country,” held at the Blue Lake Rancheria Hotel and Casino, in Blue Lake, California, on Saturday, April 22.
The Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) at the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) Office of the Attorney General requested State Parks’ and NPS’ participation in the conference. According to ONAA, "Coordination with the National and State Parks is incredibly vital to act in real time to coordinate resources and mobilize swiftly to address a missing person(s) in our regions. Ideally, Tribal law enforcement and all entities involved would be familiar with each other’s protocol and resources that are triggered when someone is suspected to have gone missing on their lands."
“Missing in California Indian Country” events are taking place throughout the four regions of the state. The conferences serve as a critical public-safety event for Tribal communities and aim to elevate the state’s response to the Missing Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) crisis. These events offer many on-site resources and allow for loved ones to report an individual missing, receive an update on an active missing person’s case and/or provide a DNA sample for the DOJ’s unidentified persons database. In addition, at the April 22 conference, DOJ personnel, including DOJ’s MMIP Research Team and Victims Services Unit, were available to answer questions and/or provide resources to Tribal community members.
Chief Troy and I represented our respective agencies in a question/answer panel discussion held at the conference. The Q&A session dealt primarily with the details of missing persons investigations as handled by the various law enforcement agencies in attendance. Joining State Parks and NPS were a total of five sheriffs from the north state, as well as California Highway Patrol and Tribal police departments chiefs.
 Yurok Tribal members perform the Flower Dance and prayer ceremony.
Upcoming Springtime Adventure Pass Event at Sue-meg State Park
Story from: Daniel Williford, Interpretation and Education Division, and Marnin Robbins, North Coast Redwoods District
 State Park Interpreter Maiya Rainer at Sue-meg State Park leading an interpretive program. Photo from Marnin Robbins, North Coast Redwoods District
Springtime is here and Sue-meg State Park (SP) is offering a fun California State Park Adventure Pass event for fourth graders and their families.
At Sue-meg SP on Saturday, April 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., the “Free Family Adventure Pass Family Day” event will be celebrated. Join Save California Salmon, Blue Lake Ranchería and State Parks for a visit to the park. The event will include cultural presenters and tours from State Parks interpreters of Indigenous heritage. Snacks and lunch will be provided. Free transportation options available. Funding is provided by Parks California through a fourth grade Adventure Pass grant.
Side note: KHSU, a public radio station, licensed to and located on the campus of California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, recently broadcast an interview about the Adventure Pass and its impact on local Indigenous and Latino children. Click here to listen to the interview.
Mountain Lion Lecture Held at Sonoma State Historic Park
Story from: Dave Duplantier, Bay Area District
 Top: Dr. Martins presenting data on mountain lion activity in the area. Bottom: Mountain lion exhibit board.
Sonoma State Historic Park was honored last month to have renowned biologist and mountain lion expert Quinton Martins, Ph.D., present the program “Living With Lions” to the great interest of a full-house audience.
Dr. Martins, the researcher, big cat expert and principal investigator for the Mountain Lion project, explained how he and his team work with local veterinarians and residents to locate and humanely capture and equip lions with GPS collars. Biological measurements and samples are taken to determine their age and health, as well as to map the genetic makeup of the region and state’s lion populations.
The "Living with Lions" team includes conservation scientists, educators, local veterinarians, geneticists and a growing cadre of volunteers to assist in fieldwork. Project partners include Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR); the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW); California State Parks; University of California, Berkeley; Sonoma County Regional Parks; Sonoma County Ag + Open Space; Sonoma Land Trust; as well as residents and private land managers.
Program findings—including DNA samples, tracking data from GPS collars and trail camera observations—are shared with the CDFW for their statewide survey, in scientific journals, local media and community presentations and translated into richly designed classroom curricula developed by ACR educators.
Along with Dr. Martins, Ranger Cecilia Rejas from Trione-Annadel State Park was in attendance and gave firsthand accounts of her experiences of lion sightings, activity and field work with Dr. Martins in the park areas. Sonoma Valley is considered at the Northern end of the geographical range in the Bay Area. Most of the cats are migrating coming from Mendocino County and further north.
The 90-minute lecture was followed up with various questions from attendees, especially on how to reduce the risk of conflict with pets and livestock. The discussion concluded with how the project is studying the region’s priority habitats and key wildlife corridors to promote ecosystem conservation.
Hands-On Quagga Zebra Mussel Exhibit Debut at 2023 Resources Building Earth Day Celebration
Story from: Cara Roderick, Division of Boating and Waterways
 Left to right: Cara Roderick, DBW senior environmental scientist supervisor; Elizabeth Brusati, CDFW senior environmental scientist; Michael Rodriguez, DBW environmental scientist; and Timothy Giles, DBW park and recreation specialist. Photo from DBW Quagga & Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program.
A mussel-encrusted pipe drew visitors into the Division of Boating and Waterways’ (DBW’s) Quagga and Zebra (QZ) Mussel Unit display at the California Natural Resources Agency Building Earth Day event on Thursday, April 20. The child-focused table also included magnifying glasses to see the tiny mussels and coloring sheets with crayons for a hands-on experience.
The team had a great time educating kids and adults alike on these invasive mussels. Next year we hope to have a mussel-sniffing detection canine demonstration.
The QZ display informed visitors how Dreissenid mussels pose a serious threat to California’s waters and fisheries. The spread of these freshwater mussels threatens recreational boating and fishing, aquatic ecosystems and fisheries, water delivery systems, hydroelectric facilities, agriculture and the environment in general. The best way for boaters to prevent the spread is to clean, drain, and dry their boats!
For more information, visit one or more DBW webpages on this important topic: www.dbw.ca.gov/StopQZ and www.dbw.ca.gov/QZGrant.
 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 RECRUITMENT EVENT
Careers at California State Parks: In-Person Hiring Info Session: May 11, 2023, 2 to 4 p.m.: Learn how to jump-start your career and work at one of the 280 California state parks. The Parks Recruitment Team will teach you how to create a CalCareers account and apply for the jobs that interest you. We offer opportunities in Law Enforcement, Administration, Communications, Facilities and Maintenance, and many more. Click here for more details.
Visit the Recruitment Events Monthly Calendar to find out when the Parks Recruitment Team will be at an event near you.
JOB SPOTLIGHTS
District Superintendent II – Apply by May 5, 2023: We are hiring a District Superintendent II at the Gold Fields District Office in Folsom. This position is responsible for directing the overall activities of the district. Duties include natural and cultural resource management and protection, visitor services, interpretation, aquatic programs, facilities maintenance, capital outlay engineering, landscaping, property management, historic properties preservation and employee discipline. Click here for more information.
Museum Curator I – Apply by May 5, 2023: We are hiring a Museum Curator I in our Cultural Resources Division in Sacramento. This position will plan, implement, supervise and actively ensure appropriate documentation, care and preservation of collections on display as well as in storage. Click here for more details.
Park Aides – Apply by May 5, 2023: We are hiring Park Aides at Mount San Jacinto State Park. Park Aides will assist visitors with general questions and park information, collect fees, light housekeeping, problem-solving, special requests, articulating of rules and regulations, answer the telephone and check for daily Wilderness Permits. Click here for more details.
Recruitment Analyst – Apply by May 8, 2023: The Workforce Planning and Recruitment Office is seeking a recruitment analyst to join our team. If you enjoy people-centered work and have a desire to assist others in finding their dream job, then this is the opportunity for you. In this role, the recruitment analyst is responsible for developing innovative and inclusive recruitment strategies; attending statewide recruitment events, workshops and job fairs; and reviewing current recruitment trends and best practices to identify necessary improvements. Click here for more information.
EXAM SPOTLIGHTS
State Park Peace Officer Cadet (Ranger and Lifeguard) – Apply by June 10, 2023: We are currently accepting applications for the State Park Peace Officer (SPPO) Cadet exam. This is the first step toward acceptance to the SPPO Cadet Academy. In the cadet academy, you will learn everything you need to know to become an SPPO Ranger or Lifeguard. You will learn about law enforcement, public safety, natural and cultural resource protection, education, interpretation, program management and much more. Click here for more information.
Laborer – Continuous: Our California State Parks Laborers work on park restoration projects and help keep our parks safe and operational for all to enjoy. If you are interested in working outdoors and making a difference, apply for this exciting opportunity. The file-in-person locations and dates can be found in the assessment bulletin. Click here for more information.
Supervisor, Cultural Resources Program – Apply by May 10, 2023: If you have experience as a Senior State Archeologist or State Historian III, or experience in the implementation of cultural resource management, planning and protection programs, apply for the Cultural Resources Program Supervisor assessment. Click here for more information.
Communications Operator – Continuous: 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. Apply to take the Communications Operator assessment today and begin your parks career in this exciting and rewarding opportunity. Click here for more information.
Park and Recreation Specialist Series – Continuous: The Park and Recreation Specialist Series assessments are now available online. From creating new outdoor parks in California communities to leading outdoor recreation programs, the opportunities are endless. From entry-level to management, explore our Park and Recreation Specialist Series assessments today. Click here for more information.
State Park Interpreter I, II and III – The State Park Interpreter I, II and III assessments have been rereleased and are available online. State Park Interpreters help develop interactive and educational programs to teach the rich history of California. Click here for more information.
EMPLOYMENT TIP
Vulnerability is your superpower! Self-awareness is an impressive strength. During an interview it is okay to share how you handled a mistake. You can explain how you grew professionally from the experience.
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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backup/back up: One word, no hyphen when used as a noun; e.g., “The original plan served as a backup.” Two words when used as a verb; e.g., “I will back up the file today.”
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non-native: Hyphenate.
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Capitalization and titles: For titles of books, movies, plays, poems, albums, songs, operas, radio and television programs, lectures, speeches, and works of art, capitalize all words in a title except articles (a, an, the); prepositions of three or fewer letters (for, of, on, up, etc.); and conjunctions of three or fewer letters (and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet, etc.), unless any of those start or end the title.
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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 Los Osos Oak Reserve
State Parks Director Armando Quintero recently met with the Los Padres California Conservation Corp group at the Los Osos Oak Reserve in San Luis Obispo, California.
"The UC [University of California] Cal Naturalist Program is an amazing asset for the people and the natural resources of California. State Parks employees have participated with Cal Naturalist Programs as students and as instructors for many years. The Climate Communication course by Cal Nat is fantastic and addresses an approach to how you work with an audience that is experiencing Climate Trauma! Knowledge, engagement, mental health and social health benefits for the world. Thank you UC ANR [Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources]!" said Director Quintero.
Photo from Chris Cameron, UC California Naturalist
 Fort Humboldt State Historic Park
On Wednesday, April 26, the North Coast Redwoods District (NCRD) held an all Law Enforcement Ranger employee meeting—the first to occur in several years—at Fort Humboldt State Historic Park. Good food and discussion were had by all, including discussions on the upcoming season, low staffing and stressing the importance of staying healthy physically and emotionally through it all. NCRD is a huge district geographically, approximately 180 miles in length and home to 22 park units, so it was rare to get all 15 rangers in one place at one time. After the morning meeting, we all commenced to Samoa Peninsula to knock out perishable skills (PSP) driving training in afternoon.
Left to right: Joe Stoffers, Ian Jones, Tyler Dempewolf, Brian Everest, Andrea Mapes, Emily Christian, Alyssa Barry, Thomas Valterria, Scott Stevens, John Hardcastle, Tony Grubb, Simone DuRand, Greg Hall, Keven Harder, Estephen Gonzales and Kevin Cather.
Photo from Keven Harder, North Coast Redwoods District
 Prospect Island in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
The Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Control Program of the Division of Boating and Waterways uses new equipment to perform hydroacoustical mapping at a shallow site in the Delta. Two Hobies outfitted with a Lowrance High Definition System Live and a HyDrone with Lowrance driven by a remote-operated vehicle from the bed of an airboat provide raster imagery that show the presence or absence of submersed plants growing in the water column. The second airboat was used to throw rakes to identify the species of plants.
Airboat drivers: Tyler Brookins and Jenna Tyndall, aquatic pest control specialists. Left to right: Alex Ljubisavljevic, Simon Kriech, and Adrienne Blyth, environmental scientist interns on Hobie kayaks; Jason Carter, environmental scientist using remote to drive HyDrone; Maxwell Little and Marcello Mayoya, aquatic pest control technicians; Bradley Davison, from California Conservation Crew; Kellie Wenstrom, environmental scientist; and Kristina Sessler, environmental scientist intern.
Photo from Trish Gilbert, Division of Boating and Waterways
 Fort Mason in San Francisco
The Santa Cruz District and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks were awarded a California Preservation Award for the restoration of the Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe. The award is the result of 15 years of work to restore the historic adobe and preserve one of the only remaining buildings of the rancho era in the Pajaro Valley. The work included earthquake repairs from hundreds of adobe bricks, seismic stabilization, a new roof, restoration of the historic cocina (kitchen) and a new lift for Americans with Disabilities Act access.
Left to right: Adrian Scott Fine Award presenter Jessica Kusz Friends, Santa Cruz State Parks; Charlene Duval of Friends, Santa Cruz State Parks; Bonny Hawley, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks; Linda Hitchcock, State Parks Santa Cruz District; Peg Danielson, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks; and Cathy Garrett, award presenter.
Photo from Amy Buchanan, volunteer
 Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument
(Hearst Castle)
The elusive sambar deer are rarely seen at the monument. They originate from India and were part of William Randolph's zoo. They are one of the very few animals that remain from his original zoo.
Photo from Sharron Foelz, San Luis Obispo Coast District
 Tolowa Dunes State Park
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka dot, semipermeable, slime-covered mucus membrane that it wore for the first time today at Dead Lake Day Use.
Photo from Simone DuRand, North Coast Redwoods District
 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
The bloom in the desert has been wonderful: A wolf cholla flower.
Photo from Michele Hernandez, Colorado Desert District
 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
An ocotillo (left) and an indigo bush (right) in bloom.
Photos from Michele Hernandez, Colorado Desert District
 Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area
The vernal pools and surrounding grasslands were in full bloom this week. Most of these species are endemic to the vernal pools of the Central Valley. Top (left to right): tidy tips; vernal pools; checkerbloom. Bottom (left to right): horned and folded Downingias; a mix of tiny flowers within a vernal pool consisting of horned downingia, white-headed navarettia, vernal pool owls clover and gold fields; monkeyflowers.
Photos from Leah Gardner, Natural Resources Division
 Trinidad State Beach
A close-up of wild ginger leaves.
Photo from Steve Moore, retired ranger from Bend, Oregon
 Redwood National and State Park
The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful, and so is Endert's Beach.
Photo from Simone DuRand, North Coast Redwoods District
 Trinidad State Beach
Ocean view from the trail in the state beach.
Photo from Steve Moore, retired ranger from Bend, Oregon
 Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
General Creek flowing.
Photo from Elizabeth McMillan, Sierra District
 Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
The natural resources office in the Sierra District—the sunny side.
Photo from Rich Adams, Sierra District
 Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
The natural resources office in the Sierra District—the shady side.
Photo from Rich Adams, Sierra District
Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument
(Hearst Castle)
Majestic Hearst Castle on a clear day.
Photo from James Graham, San Luis Obispo Coast District
 Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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Second Graders Say Thank You for Anderson Marsh State Historic Park Field Trip
Story from: Tiana Cicco, Northern Buttes District
 We had two second grade classes visit Anderson Marsh State Historic Park for a field trip Thursday, April 26. I received a whole bunch of thank you letters from the students, including the one above in which a second grader showed her appreciation for park staff after attending the educational field trip.
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April 25, 2023
April 26, 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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