Trackchair at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Assists Visitors With Mobility Challenges in Exploring Redwood Forests
Story from: Erin Gates, North Coast Redwoods District
 Left to right: Acting Executive Director of Redwood Parks Conservancy Sal Munoz, Redwood National and State Parks Superintendent Steve Mietz, Beth and Kirk Mickelsen from David’s Chair, and California State Parks North Coast Redwoods District Interpretation and Education Program Manager Erin Gates celebrate the arrival of an Action Trackchair at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park on Monday, July 24. Photo from Redwood National and State Parks.
Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) and Redwood Parks Conservancy (RPC) are excited to announce the arrival of a new Action Trackchair. The electric all-terrain trackchair will assist visitors with mobility challenges in exploring the trails and grandeur of the old-growth redwood forests of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (SP). This new chair, which can be used on designated trails within the park, has been made possible thanks to a partnership with David’s Chair Outdoor Mobility Systems, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is “to enrich the lives of mobility impaired people with independence and freedom by empowering them to engage in outdoor activities they previously were unable to, free of charge.”
The trackchair at Prairie Creek Redwoods SP will allow visitors to explore areas of the park in new ways, often on trails not suitable for regular wheelchairs. Steve Mietz, RNSP superintendent, remarked that “by providing a trackchair to be used for free by visitors, we are working to ensure that the incredible recreational experiences found within the park can be enjoyed by everyone, removing barriers to allow everyone to experience the majesty and solitude of the redwood forest independently.”
The Prairie Creek Redwoods SP Visitor Center is the first location in California where David’s Chair has a permanent home for one of its trackchairs. David Hatrick from Oregon was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). An avid hunter and fisherman, David immediately began searching for a way to enjoy the outdoors in the confines of a wheelchair. With the help of a friend and now David’s Chair CEO Steve Furst, the pair discovered Action Trackchairs and raised enough money to buy one. David recognized he would not be able to use it for long and dreamed of others benefiting from the chair as well; shortly after, the nonprofit David’s Chair was born.
David passed away on Jan. 11, 2018, just 11 months after his ALS diagnosis. However, David’s Chair continues to give the gift of independence and freedom to people with ALS and other mobility challenges.
The trackchair arrived at Prairie Creek Redwoods SP on Monday, July 24, and within less than an hour after its arrival, David Echt, visiting from San Rafael, California, was the first visitor to take the chair out to explore the redwoods. “I was once an avid hiker and have backpacked throughout the Sierra Nevada mountains before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at 35 years old,” he said. “I have lived with MS for half my life. This chair gave me freedom I haven’t had for many years.”
The trackchair is available at Prairie Creek Visitor Center free of charge and is reservable online for three-hour blocks, starting from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 1 to 4 p.m. To reserve a chair, visit https://www.redwoodparksconservancy.org/permits/davids-chair.
Learn more about this wonderful program in the press release.
California State Railroad Museum and California State Railroad Museum Foundation Announce More Train Rides on Historic Turntable
Story from: Traci Rockefeller Cusack, T-Rock Communications
 Photo from Kelly B. Huston, California State Railroad Museum and California State Railroad Museum Foundation contributor.
After a hugely successful first-time experience offering public train rides on the historic turntable for one day during California State Parks Week in June, the California State Railroad Museum and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation are proud to announce more turntable rides are available on select Fridays and Saturdays during August and September.
Dates of availability include August 4, 5, 11, 18, 19 and 25 and September 1, 8, 15, 22, 23 and 29. A first-come, first-serve experience, train rides start at 10 a.m. and leave every half hour, with the last departing at 2 p.m. The small but mighty No. 2 locomotive will pull an open-air gondola for 15-minute train rides, which include a few spins on the turntable. The historic turntable is located just outside the Roundhouse at the west end of the museum.
When the Railroad Museum and Foundation offered this new experience for one day during Parks Week in mid-June, more than 600 people showed up to take a spin on the historic turntable. Originally built in 1911 by the American Bridge Company for use by Union Pacific in Yakima, Washington, the turntable was installed in Old Sacramento State Historic Park in 1980 as a feature of the Roundhouse portion of the California State Railroad Museum. These fun, new train rides are designed to connect the importance of railroad turntables and roundhouses with railroad history and operation.
Same-day tickets for train rides on the historic turntable are available at the Central Pacific Passenger Station, located at Front and J Streets in Old Sacramento State Historic Park. Train ride tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for youth ages 6‒17 and are free for members and children 5 and younger.
For more information about the California State Railroad Museum or the Foundation, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum.
Is Your Favorite Park the Most Biodiverse in California? Prove It!
Story from: Erika Delemarre, Interpretation and Education Division
 Humboldt Redwoods State Park's biodiversity is so bright, Interpreter I Cleo Domingo has to wear shades! (Note: This caption references a song lyric.) Photo from Erin Gates, North Coast Redwoods District.
In celebration of California Biodiversity Day coming up next month on September 7, parks statewide will be hosting special events and engaging activities all week long from Saturday, September 2, to Sunday, September 10. Parks staff, volunteers and visitors are also invited to join in a friendly bioblitz competition to see who can record the most biological diversity—the highest number of species of plants and animals—in their park. Humboldt Redwoods State Park currently holds the record of 380 species identified in 2022. Will your park win this year and unseat the reigning champs?
If you are ready to prove that your park is the most biodiverse in the state, we encourage you to plan a bioblitz for your park. Using the free iNaturalist app, participants can use their smartphones to record the different species of animals, insects, plants, fungi and more thriving within their parks. The photographs and locations of species captured during the bioblitzes in iNaturalist will help monitor the presence and range of species and contribute to an overall understanding of California’s extraordinary biodiversity.
The top three parks with the highest species counts recorded during their bioblitzes will be featured in the Weekly Digest in mid-September!
In addition to bioblitzes, past events in celebration of California Biodiversity Day have included a wide range of activities that help the public observe, understand, appreciate and protect the amazing diversity of life in California’s State Park System. Some favorite activities have included guided nature hikes, birding walks, tide pool tours, nighttime forays, creek sampling and virtual events. Parks that host events will also be supported with outreach resources to help your park promote your event to visitors.
To have your event promoted on the department’s and Natural Resources Agency’s California Biodiversity Day webpages, share your event details on this form by Friday, August 11. Need a better understanding of iNaturalist or how to host a bioblitz, or do you need help brainstorming your event? You can find a wealth of resources here or reach out to Leah Gardner at Leah.Gardner@parks.ca.gov.
 Left: "Bioblitz Dance" creator and Redwoods Rising Communications Coordinator (Interpreter II) Griff Griffin uses a smartphone to capture an image of a California sister butterfly for a bioblitz in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Right: Senior Park Aide Watershed Interpreter Kyle Buchanan shares species information and helps orient visitors for last year's California Biodiversity Day bioblitz in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Photos from Erin Gates, North Coast Redwoods District.
State Parks and National Park Service Celebrate Latino Conservation Week
Story and photos from: Ilsa Buelow, Angeles District
 State Parks and National Park Service celebrated Latino Conservation Week at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center in Newbury Park, California.
State Parks collaborated with National Park Service to celebrate Latino Conservation Week at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center in Newbury Park, California, on Saturday, July 22. Over 250 participants engaged in various activities, including the traditional game of Lotería, where winners were rewarded with prizes throughout the evening, including a visit by a beautiful gopher snake, who wanted to join in the fun. In association with Santa Monica Mountains Fund, attendees had the opportunity to create native seed piñatas, fostering an appreciation for our indigenous plants of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Participants refreshed themselves with agua fresca while taking part in custom button-making, which provided an informative, dual-language opportunity to study native plant species and their coastal scrub environment. Lastly, brave adventurers journeyed into the trails of Point Mugu State Park for our final hike, exploring the park's nocturnal inhabitants under my guidance. The final hike of the night yielded a fascinating discovery of 37 scorpions, ranging from itty bitty to 3 inches.
The event successfully combined education and recreation, promoting awareness of conservation efforts and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Latino community. It exemplified the effective partnership between State Parks, National Parks and collaborating organizations, all working toward fostering a deeper connection between people and our natural world.
 Participants head out on a nocturnal hike at Point Mugu State Park for our final hike to explore its inhabitants, including these scorpions.
Young Visitor Recognized for Attending 36 Junior Ranger Programs at Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Story and photo from: Teddie Jackson, Central Valley District
 Lucas receives special recognition from Ranger Lance Durham for attending 36 Junior Ranger programs at Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
Every once in a while we are reminded of what a great job we do interpreting here at Calaveras Big Trees State Park (SP). We had a special presentation at the campfire on the night of Saturday, July 29, in which Ranger Lance Durham recognized Junior Ranger Lucas for attending 36 Junior Ranger programs at the park.
For 40 years, his family has been spending two weeks every summer at Calaveras Big Trees SP, and this year he had 30 relatives camping with him. Lucas has been attending Junior Ranger programs since he was seven and is turning 13 soon, so sadly this is his last year as a Junior Ranger. His mother told me she fondly remembered attending Junior Ranger programs when she was young and was happy that her son was able to have the same experience.
We often have visitors, some from as far away as Texas, Colorado and Maine, who love sharing those special childhood Calaveras Big Trees SP experiences they remember with their kids. Last week, a family visited and the mother asked if the retired interpreter was still here because she wanted her kids to attend the Junior Ranger program like she did 30 years ago. Amazingly, she still remembered that she called the interpreter “Wanger Wendy” when she was 8 years old, and her family all commented on how fondly they remember that experience, so much so that it had become part of their family lore.
It is so important for visitors to make these core memories at a park, and we are proud of the past and present work we have done to make those memories.
Division of Boating and Waterways Participates in Fourth of July Operation Dry Water
Story and photos from: Joanna Andrade, Division of Boating and Waterways
 Top: Deputy Beard and Deputy Trinidad monitoring boaters and ensuring they are operating in a safe manner. Bottom: Ski Beach, a heavily populated area that boaters come to recreate at.
The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) participated in Operation Dry Water over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, to combat impaired boating and reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities and to educate water enthusiasts about the deadly consequences of boating under the influence (BUI). Law enforcement agencies across the country intensified their efforts July 1-3 with increased patrols and BUI checkpoints. More than 44 law enforcement entities across California, including Auburn State Recreation Area (SRA) and Folsom Lake SRA, participated in the nationwide effort.
DBW’s Boating Safety Unit participated in a ride-a-long with the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol Unit (CCCSO), on Sunday, July 2. The marine patrol unit is responsible for 80 square miles of waterways from Richmond to Discovery Bay. The primary goal of the CCCSO is to protect the lives and property of people on the waterways of Contra Costa by promoting boating safety through education and enforcement. During the visit, many boaters were stopped for not displaying a current registration and/or quagga zebra mussel sticker, for not wearing a life jacket as required by law or for not displaying a ski flag when someone is in the water. Once the boater was stopped, additional safety checks were made to ensure everyone on board had a personal floatation device, a valid fire extinguisher and a throwable personal flotation device, and if applicable, the operator had their California Boater Card as required by law.
DBW wishes to thank Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office for their participation in and contribution to Operation Dry Water, and for keeping our waterways safe.
 Top left: Deputy Beard preparing to conduct a vessel stop. Top right: Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office vessel heading in after a long and hot day on the water, protecting lives and ensuring everyone recreates responsibly. Bottom left: Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office towing in a vessel after the operator had been arrested for boating under the influence. Bottom right: San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office conducting a vessel stop. San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office is one of many agencies that share joint jurisdiction with Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.
San Luis Obispo Coast District Exhibit at Paso Robles Mid-State Fair Showcases Parks and Career Pathways
Story from: Cara O’Brien, San Luis Obispo Coast District
 The exhibit featured two beautiful park pathways and highlighted park career pathways. The finished display took support from all core program areas throughout the district. Photo from Shannon Elver, San Luis Obispo Coast District.
Staff from the San Luis Obispo Coast District planned, designed and implemented an educational and attractive vignette at the Paso Robles Mid-State Fair, portraying the built and wild environments of the district. The fair ran from July 19 to 30 and attracted an estimated 310,000 people.
The display highlighted the beauty of the gardens at Hearst Castle and the parks along the coast. Children of all ages enjoyed challenging themselves to find the wildlife throughout the scenery in an “I Spy” style game.
The exhibit also featured videos showcasing the careers available throughout the district, including in Administration, Historic Maintenance, Guide Section, Visitor Services, Interpretation and more. Links to current seasonal positions were available through QR code flyers. Career brochures from the Recruitment Team were available for interested candidates. Career videos played on the monitor included “Meet the SLO Coast Team: Job Opportunities with CA State Parks!” and “Live the Parks Life...HERE in SLO Coast District.”
Thank you to all the staff who helped with planting, building, planning, purchasing, IT support, watering, filming, video editing and more to make the display come to life and excite and educate thousands of fair attendees. Thank you to the always supportive and welcoming Paso Robles Mid-State Fair staff for another great collaboration!
 The installation team from day two (left to right): Laurel Dunning, Scott Blanchard, Josh Kelleher, Francesca Manheim, Cara O’Brien, Shannon Elver and Tony Phimister. Photo from Cara O’Brien, San Luis Obispo Coast District.
  Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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