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 June 30, 2023
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 Have a Safe and Happy Fourth of July Weekend!
 Huntington State Beach
Surf dog Cherie braces for impact on her surfboard as Lifeguard Brendan Stratford watches attentively. Check out the surf dog challenge story in the Field Report section.
Photo from Michele Figueroa, Orange Coast District
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California State Parks Introduces what3words Tool to Assist Lost or Stranded Visitors
Story from: Communications and Marketing Division
 Use the what3words app to communicate precise locations to State Parks dispatchers.
California State Parks is excited to announce its partnership with innovative location technology, what3words. A new tool in the State Parks toolkit, what3words provides dispatchers with technology to assist visitors in the event they become lost or stranded or need help from emergency services. Using this revolutionary technology, State Parks dispatchers will now be able to pinpoint the locations of individuals who become lost with just three dictionary words, so that help can be sent to exactly where it is needed.
what3words provides users with a simple way to communicate precise locations. It has divided the world into a grid of 10-feet-by-10-feet squares and given each square a unique combination of three words: a what3words address. This means that every park bench, parking space, pitch on a campsite and remote spot on a hiking trail has its own what3words address. For example, ///tools.melted.studs takes you to the exact entrance to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park’s campground. The app is available in over 50 languages to date and is free to download for both iOS and Android devices.
“Being able to locate a caller during an emergency is essential, and the faster the location is confirmed, the faster help can be dispatched,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “what3words enables callers and dispatchers to communicate precise locations with just three words and quickly get the help they need.”
Click here to read the full press release.
Ahead of Fourth of July Weekend, Here’s How California is Working to Keep People Safe from Extreme Heat
Story from: Governor's Press Office
With a significant heatwave impacting much of inland California this weekend and into the Fourth of July holiday, Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the state’s ongoing preparedness and response efforts while urging Californians to take steps to protect themselves from extreme heat.
Extreme heat is deadly and climate change is making heatwaves longer and more frequent. According to the National Weather Service, extreme heat kills more Americans each year than any other extreme weather events, including wildfires, droughts, and floods.
Beginning today, excessive heat watches and warnings will be in place for large swaths of the state. Temperatures in Redding and Red Bluff will reach up to 108 degrees, while the Central Valley and all the way down to the desert southeast of the state could exceed 120 degrees.
What Governor Newsom said: “Extreme heat can be deadly. Californians should take steps to protect themselves from the heat – stay cool, stay hydrated and stay connected. California is taking more action now than at any point in our history to build climate resilience and protect communities – especially underserved Californians – from the real dangers of extreme heat.”
Governor Newsom has taken proactive steps to protect communities from the impacts of extreme heat. Last year he launched California’s Extreme Heat Action Plan, backed by more than $400 million in investments, to guide the state’s response to heatwaves, ensuring California is reaching vulnerable communities, protecting frontline workers and helping communities stand up cooling centers.
A current list of cooling centers open by county can be found here.
To protect communities most at risk of impacts from extreme heat and other climate-driven emergencies this summer, Cal OES and Listos California have released a new Summer of Safety campaign – a comprehensive suite of in-language messaging and materials on summer climate extremes. As summer weather brings new threats that could impact Californians, these risks are all interrelated and can have the greatest impact on more vulnerable Californians, including those 65 years of age or older; individuals with chronic illness, disabilities or who are pregnant.
Read the full press release with additional safety tips here.
California State Parks Encourages Visitors to Recreate Responsibly Over Fourth of July Weekend
Story from: Communications and Marketing Division
California State Parks and its divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation invite Californians and visitors from around the world to recreate responsibly this Fourth of July weekend, one of the busiest outdoor holidays of the year.
Here are helpful tips to stay safe during this holiday weekend:
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Prepare an itinerary: No matter what type of recreation activity you will be participating in, leave an itinerary of your trip with a family member/friend with information such as name/age of all participants, travel destination and expected return date. This will ensure law enforcement personnel have a better understanding of your location in the event of a rescue.
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Know Before You Go: Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park unit you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a back-up plan in case your destination is crowded. Park only in designated parking spaces.
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Check the weather:
- Plan activities during cooler part of the day.
- Dress in loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing.
- Shield yourself from the sun with hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Hydrate. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated fluids.
- If heading to a waterway to cool off, obey posted warnings, swim in designated areas, wear a life jacket and actively supervise children.
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Wear a life jacket: Water-related accidents can happen suddenly and rapidly. Make sure you and your loved ones wear properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Wearing them is the number one way to increase your chances of survival during an accident. Several public and private entities make life jackets available to the public on a loan basis. View Locations
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Protect your loved ones:
- Always supervise children by appointing a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults. Do not assume that someone is watching your children.
- Know your limits. Swimming in a lake, ocean or river is different than swimming in a pool.
- If someone is in distress, seek help from a lifeguard or call 911 if one is not available.
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Avoid alcohol: Operating your boat or an off-highway vehicle (OHV) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more is against the law. Impaired boaters will be stopped and can be arrested even with lower BAC if the conditions are not safe. Your boat can be impounded. Some parks do have alcohol bans. Check specific park website to determine if there’s any local ordinances concerning alcohol.
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Ocean rip currents: If you get caught in one, stay calm and do not fight the current. Swim or float parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and then swim toward the shore.
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Learn the rules of recreating in boats and off-highway vehicles (OHVs): There are laws specific to operating OHVs on public lands and boats on California’s waterways. Learn about them by visiting the webpage of your outdoor destination. For boating laws, please visit BoatCalifornia.com.
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Trails: Whether you are hiking, horseback riding or operating an OHV, stay on designated trails. You are not only protecting natural resources, but you are also ensuring that you do not get lost. Make sure to hike with a buddy.
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Leave No Trace: Leave areas better than how you found them by packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.
You can find additional safety tips and information on backpacking, biking, camping, horseback trails and laws at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
Click here to read the full press release.
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State Park and Recreation Commission Tours Orange Coast District
Story and photos from: Michelle Figueroa, Orange Coast District
 The Orange Coast tour stops by El Moro Beach at Crystal Cove State Park, standing on the access road recently restored after high winter tides nearly rendered it unusable.
Orange Coast District welcomed the California State Park and Recreation Commission (SPRC) and Director Armando Quintero Wednesday, June 21, for a tour of Orange County state beaches. District Superintendent Kevin Pearsall led commissioners and staff on a detailed tour of the district, stopping by major interest points like the highly visited concession stand The Huntington Beach House, run by our partners at PRJKT Group. The SPRC was also invited on a ride with the Surfwatch rescue fleet, where boat operators and deckhands demonstrated their skills off the coastline of Corona del Mar. Lastly, Orange Coast District Superintendent Pearsall and South Sector Superintendent Scott Kibbey highlighted areas within the district that had experienced quite a bit of damage from severe weather events this past winter.
"Bolsa Chica State Beach and El Moro Beach in Crystal Cove State Park saw tides collapse roadways and remove access roads. Responding quickly and collaboratively to mitigate the storm damage, staff from the district, the department, Caltrans and the Coastal Commission all helped to make the damaged areas safe and open to visitors," as stated in the "Overview of the Orange Coast District Programs and Operations" document provided by SPRC.
Additionally, the tour stopped by the sand nourishment project currently underway at the south end day-use lots of Doheny State Beach, where State Parks has worked effectively with local agencies to help preserve a well-loved but quickly eroding stretch of beach.
Orange Coast District parks are some of the most visited parks in the department, offering unique beachfront dining experiences, exceptional recreational programming and collaborative preservation of natural spaces and historic landmarks. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to share the unique beauty and stories of these parks with staff and visitors from all around the state.
 Top: Sergeant Tim Senneff and Lifeguard Deckhand Josh Martin led part of the tour on the Surfwatch Rescue fleet, where staff were taken on a boat ride on the coast of Corona Del Mar. Bottom right: Orange Coast South Sector Superintendent Scott Kibbey details the sand nourishment project currently underway at the south end of Doheny State Beach to Director Armando Quintero and SPR commissioners. Bottom left: Orange Coast District Superintendent Kevin Pearsall guides the State Park and Recreation Commission tour around Huntington State Beach.
Junior Ranger Program in Full Swing This Summer at Capitol Park
Story from: Megan Stanley, Capital District
 Top: Capitol Guides Cindy York and Isabel Nguyen showing off the new Junior Ranger sign with “Cappy.” Photo from Megan Stanley, Capital District. Bottom right: A Junior Ranger using the booklet to learn about how to use a compass. Photo from Isabel Nguyen, Capital District. Bottom middle: California State Park Ranger Matt Pasquarella and K-9 Hugo meet the Capitol Junior Rangers. Photo from Isabel Nguyen, Capital District. Bottom left: A Junior Ranger meeting a tree. Photo from Megan Stanley, Capital District.
The Junior Ranger programs are back this summer at Capitol Park. Every Sunday until August 14, children ages 7-12 can come to Capitol Park to learn how to use a compass, the benefits of redwoods and oaks, what makes an urban park special and how you can enjoy nature even in your own backyard. Our program booklet has been updated; we have added “Cappy” (the cartoon character of the Capitol) to help guide the kids through the programs, as well as give extra tidbits of information about our parks.
At the end last weekend’s "Using a Compass in Capitol Park" event, a special guest stopped by: Capital District Park Ranger Matt Pasquarella brought K-9 Hugo to meet our most recent Junior Rangers, sharing insights on what our State Parks rangers do and how they protect parks and visitors.
Click here to find out more about the California State Capitol Junior Ranger program.
Santa Cruz District and Training Section Staff Brings Awareness for Northern California Special Olympics
Story from: Gabe McKenna, Santa Cruz District
 The State Parks team at Seacliff State Beach. Left to right: State Park Peace Officer (SPPO) Lindsey Phillips (Training Section), Associate Park and Recreation Specialist Scott Rohlf, Park Maintenance Chief Auggie Ceballos, SPPO Ranger Don Crouthamel, SPPO Ranger Supervisor Stan Kopacz, SPPO Ranger Scott Ackemann, Seasonal Lifeguard Aiden Malmburg, Public Safety Superintendent Gabe McKenna and SPPO Lifeguard Micah Moore. Photo from Mike McMenamy, Santa Cruz District.
Santa Cruz District and Training Section staff came together to support the Northern California Special Olympics on Thursday, June 22. In typical fashion, Santa Cruz District public safety personnel collaborated with other program areas to bring awareness and raise funds for the upcoming Northern California Special Olympics. Eight local law enforcement agencies teamed up to relay the flame of hope from Watsonville to Santa Cruz, California.
The State Parks portion of the run is the longest of the eight agencies, beginning at Rio Del Mar Esplanade (Seacliff State Beach) and ending just outside of New Brighton State Beach, where it is handed off to Capitola Police Department.
A very special thanks to State Parks Peace Officer Jackie Jurek—who, unfortunately, was unable to attend due to a training schedule conflict—for coordinating the run and for her incredible fundraising efforts and to Chief Ranger Mike McMenamy for his support clearing intersections and providing runner assistance.
All Paws on Deck! Purina Incredible Dog Surf Challenge Returns to Huntington State Beach
Story and photos from: Michelle Figueroa, Orange Coast District
 Left: Lifeguard Ryan Allen stands idly by as surf dog Charlie happily carries his own board back to the sand. Top right: Gidget the surfing dog shows off her moves on the water while Lifeguard Michael Olsberg waits to assist. Bottom right: Lifeguards James Rodriguez, Sebastion Wagoner and Brendan Stratford share a smile as surfing dog Faith catches a wave in all the way to shore.
Orange Coast District was happy to host the 26th annual Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge on the sands of Huntington State Beach for another year in a row. It was all hands—and paws—on deck on Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, when these furry contestants showed off their amazing skills in surfing, agility, weaving and fetching in one ultimate weekend showdown.
Throughout the surfing competition, our lifeguard staff was on-site, working diligently to ensure our four-legged surfers, who went for a dip in the ocean, made it safely back onto their boards and in time for their next wave.
Saving lives, saving tails—all in a day's work for a State Parks lifeguard.
‘Science of Surfing’ Livestream Event at Wilder Ranch State Park
Story from: Kevin Schmidt, Santa Cruz District
 Left to right: Senior Interpretive Aide Marika Powers, Senior Interpretive Aide Lily Aravanis, Interpreter I Molly Shea, Senior Interpretive Aide Estrella Bibbey, Senior State Archeologist Mike Grone and Interpreter I Kevin Schmidt. Photo from Scott Shepherd, Santa Cruz District.
In honor of World Surfing Day on Saturday, June 17, the Wilder Ranch State Park interpretive staff hosted the “Science of Surfing” event, the first-ever California State Parks surfing-focused livestream. The park teamed up with local surfers and United States Geological Survey (USGS) staff on Tuesday, June 20, to talk about the history and science behind wave riding out at the famous surf spot Four Mile Beach.
Interpretive staff and lifeguards from Wilder Ranch State Park, Seacliff State Beach and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park came together with USGS and local surfers to make this one-hour livestreaming event a success. During the event, interpretive staff discussed the relationship the Native Peoples have with the water in this area, how a gift of cows led to surfing being brought to the Santa Cruz area and how the motion of the ocean along with bathymetry make the waves surfers love to ride.
A special thanks to the Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students (PORTS) team for helping troubleshoot the technology to make programs like this one a possibility.
 Senior State Archeologist Mike Grone is interviewed by Interpreter I Kevin Schmidt during the "Science of Surfing" livestream. Photo from Scott Shepherd, Santa Cruz District.
 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
 JOB SPOTLIGHTS
Associate Governmental Program Analyst – Apply by July 5, 2023: Provide building facility services at Headquarters in the California Natural Resources Agency building and other off-site locations in the Sacramento area. Take the assessment and apply. Click here for more information.
Skilled Laborer – Apply by July 5, 2023: Provide housekeeping and maintenance of park facilities grounds and systems, equipment operation and maintenance for the Bay Area District. Take the assessment and apply. Click here for more information.
Staff Services Manager I – Apply by July 14, 2023: Manage the Budget Office and provide planning, organizing and maintenance of the budget development process for the department's annual governor's budget. This includes setting work priorities and reviewing various budget schedules. Take the assessment and apply. Click here for more information.
State Park Interpreter Specialist (Curatorial) – Apply by Sept. 26, 2023: Help develop interpretive content for interpretation, exhibit programs and digital media for the California State Capitol Museum. This is an entry-level position. No assessment required. Click here for more information.
Seasonal/Part-Time: Multiple Opportunities – Apply-by dates vary: Now is a great time to get started in a seasonal/part-time job at California State Parks. With no exam needed, apply to our Park Aide, Maintenance Aide, Environmental Services Intern, Park Interpretive Specialist, Archeologist Specialist, Guide Trainee or Forestry Aide openings today. No assessment required! Click here for more information.
EXAM SPOTLIGHTS
Research Writer – Apply by June 30, 2023: This exam is hosted by the Department of Water Resources. Research writers assist or complete interpretive writing of technical material for news releases and publications of state agencies. Qualifying experience includes feature writing of articles for newspapers, magazines, trade journals or for radio broadcast, or in the writing of technical reports or digests of technical research studies. Click here for more information.
Associate Civil Engineer – Apply by July 10, 2023: You have more time! The Associate Civil Engineer exam final filing date was revised. Help plan and direct the design for a variety of engineering projects. You need a valid certificate of registration as a civil engineer and three years of experience to qualify. Click here for more information.
Aquatic Pest Control Series – Continuous: The role of the Aquatic Pest Control series is to minimize the impact of invasive plants in our waterways through weed control programs. The series includes Aquatic Pest Control Technicians and Specialists. Click here for more information.
State Park Peace Officer Cadet (Ranger and Lifeguard) - Continuous: Applications for the State Park Peace Officer (SPPO) Cadet exam are now offered on a continuous basis. 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. When applying, you can opt in for electronic notifications. 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 State 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 Series – Continuous: 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: Get to know the employer! You can host your own informational interview to learn more about the type of opportunities our department has and its goals and mission. Informational interviews are a great way to build relationships, provide interviewing practice and even open up future opportunities—especially if you make the effort to keep in touch with your interviewee.
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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Fourth of July, July Fourth, Independence Day: All these references are appropriate. Spell out “Fourth.”
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barbecue: Preferred spelling is "barbecue," not “barbeque” or “BBQ.”
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Aboveground: One word.
Keeping a consistent writing style ensures the Weekly Digest looks and sounds its best. Each week, the Communications and Marketing Division reviews submitted articles for proper grammar and punctuation and style consistency––from capitalization and hyphenation to proper acronyms and active/passive voice usage. In general, we follow the Associated Press style and Merriam-Webster, but at times we use our own department-specific style.
We always welcome your feedback on how to “Live the Parks Life” in (writing) style. Connect with us via email at weeklydigest@parks.ca.gov.
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 State Indian Museum State Historic Park
Turtles on the loose. As summer sets in, the turtles at the museum are looking for locations to bury their eggs. Park Aide Betty Evan is outside the State Indian Museum office, checking out the turtle.
Photo from Michael A. Ramirez, Capital District
 Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Right: Red-tailed hawk found a rabbit as a meal in the South Beach parking lot. Left: Perhaps the same hawk, scoping out new hunting territory the day after.
Photos from Courtney Mullen, San Diego Coast District
 Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Just a northern alligator lizard saying hello.
Photo from Joshua Jaco, Gold Fields District
 Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Top left: An Edith’s checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha). Bottom left: A splendid mariposa lily. And they have been extra-splendid this year. Right: a California hairstreak on woolly yarrow. Life history: Males search for females by perching on top of trees (occasionally patrolling). Females lay eggs, glued together in groups of two to four, in bark crevices. Eggs hibernate until the following spring.
Photos from Michele Hernandez, Colorado Desert District
 Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Clarkia concinna is a species of wildflower in the onagraceae (evening primrose) family, known as red ribbons. It is endemic to California, where it can be found in the northern coast ranges from Santa Clara County to Humboldt County, and in the Sierra foothills.
Photo from Bill Krumbein, retired ranger from Santa Rosa, California
 Seacliff State Beach
June gloom over the beach.
Photo from Doug Johnson, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 Humboldt Lagoons State Park
Starting my day with a swim at Big Lagoon.
Photo from Keven Harder, North Coast Redwoods District
 Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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Los Gatos Library Receives Thank You Note From Patron Regarding California State Library Parks Pass
Hi Lisa [Nowlain, parks pass program manager, California State Library],
Just had a patron return a [California State Library] parks pass to me, she'd been to five parks in three weeks!! I think that was a record for our Library.
I'm including photos [below] of her note to us.
Happy Monday,
Jennifer Laredo, Division Manager and Teen Librarian, Los Gatos Library
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June 28, 2023
June 29, 2023
June 30, 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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