State Parks Assists Task Force With Cannabis Law Enforcement
Story from: Doug Johnson, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
Video of CWPP assisting the EPIC task force in San Bernadino County. Video from Andres Weishaupt, Communications and Marketing Division.
California State Parks’ Cannabis Watershed Protection Program (CWPP) has been busy. Tasked with preventing and remediating cannabis grows and their impacts from watersheds in and around state parks, the program typically conducts most of its enforcement activities during the outdoor cannabis growing season, between June and October.
This year, the CWPP Special Enforcement Team (SET) was involved in dozens of cleanups and reconnaissance operations on State Parks lands, removing waste and confirming old known sites are inactive. SET provided safety and security on site visits, escorting other program members into the backcountry for future project and cleanup work.
Also this year, SET expanded enforcement efforts to include nexus grows, cannabis growing operations that are outside of State Parks boundaries but still with the potential to impact State Parks lands and resources. SET served six search warrants on nexus grows this season, removing 8,000 plants and seizing 383 pounds of processed cannabis. Three firearms and two types of banned pesticides were also removed from nexus grows this year. Several Water Code violations for water pollution and water diversions were filed.
“It was a very successful season, and we’ve made a big impact on illegal cannabis grows statewide,” said State Park Superintendent II Damien Jones, who manages SET. “It was great for the team to be out helping to solve this issue.”
State Parks has also been an active member of various statewide cannabis enforcement task forces. State Park Peace Officer (SPPO) Derek Donaldson was assigned to the Department of Justice’s Eradication and Prevention of Illicit Cannabis (EPIC) Program. Assigned full time to EPIC’s South Team, Donaldson took part in the interagency task force, which assists counties to remove illegal cannabis grows across California. SPPOs participated in 96 EPIC law enforcement operations this year.
“Special Enforcement Team officers will come out to support operations in their area if available or as needed,” Donaldson said. “We can make calls to them for additional (staffing), and they can also make calls to EPIC if they’re having an operation and they need our support, whether it’s (staffing) or support of the helicopter.”
This season EPIC seized more than 111,000 pounds of processed cannabis and eradicated more than 904,000 cannabis plants. The program also arrested more than 200 suspects and recovered more than 150 firearms across 855 illegal cultivation sites statewide.
At the same time, the CWPP continues to actively participate in the Governor Gavin Newsom’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (UCETF), a multiagency and cross-jurisdictional taskforce created to better coordinate the state’s enforcement efforts. Statewide, SET assisted UCETF with more than 40 law enforcement operations over the past season.
“This season was a nice change of pace,” said Jones. “While we did have a handful of cleanup operations like in previous years, it was nice to have a more active role addressing the illegal cannabis issue by working with our allied agencies.”
The CWPP was established as an interdisciplinary program within State Parks after the passage of Proposition 64. CWPP crosses virtually all program areas in the department and includes a specialized team of SPPOs who form the SET, numerous Natural Resources and Cultural Resources divisions staff members who lead efforts at remediation and restoration, Facilities and Maintenance Development Division employees who tackle unique challenges to improve access and restoration efforts, and many other classifications who work to meet the challenges illegal cannabis cultivation presents for California's State Park System.
More on CWPP’s Cultural Resources’ efforts to document historical sites at Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area will be coming to the Weekly Digest.
Northern Buttes District Completes Prescribed Burn at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
Story from: Chaye Vail, Northern Buttes District
 Left to right: Environmental Scientists Chad Mackie, Trish Ladd-Shute and Chaye Vail and Forestry Assistant Shanisa Dove smiling after completing firing operations on one burn compartment. Photo from Ryan Martin, Northern Buttes District.
Friday, November 3, proved to be a successful and productive day of burning 53 acres of grassland at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park (SHP). The Lake County Fire Protection District (LCFPD) acted as incident command on the burn, coordinating operations, as well as contributed to local outreach and coordination of additional resources. The Lake Napa Unit of CAL FIRE dedicated three engines to the operation. Caltrans fully supported the burn by quick issuance of an encroachment permit and successful traffic control for a lane closure. Input and monitoring efforts from the Koi Nation of Northern California was invaluable, and cooperation from the Lake County Air Quality Management District made it possible to burn the entire planned area in one day. These efforts will reduce invasive species on the landscape, including poison hemlock, yellow star thistle, harding grass and tall fescue, while also promoting the growth of native grasses such as creeping wild rye and purple needle grass.
A huge thank you goes to the Clear Lake maintenance staff for all the prep work to get the units ready to burn and for weed eating around the numerous oak saplings we wanted to protect. They also stayed for the duration of the burn to make sure facilities were protected. The Clear Lake ranger staff was instrumental in public safety, as well as protecting the engines and firefighters stationed along the highway. Natural Resources staff jumped in with local park knowledge and preferred suppression tactics, joined firing teams and ensured the protection of resources. Since the prescribed fire occurred along the corridor of Highway 53, working with Caltrans and our rangers was essential to keep traffic flowing safely. District Environmental Scientist Trish Ladd-Shute led this effort by completing all the permitting and communicating with partners and local agencies, including CAL FIRE and LCFPD to ensure we had the resources on hand to safely pull off the burn.
Northern Buttes District recently purchased a slip-in water tank and pump using Wildfire and Forest Resiliency funding, which was very useful on this prescribed burn to help keep the valued resources protected.
This is the second prescribed burn at Anderson Marsh SHP since 2021, and we hope to continue these efforts well into the future. This is only possible with the help and support of the community, fellow agencies and dedicated staff.
 Left: Forestry Assistant Shanisa Dove uses a drip torch with Environmental Scientist Chad Mackie in the distance. Top right: Valley oak (Quercus lobata) stands happy in the black after a clean underburn of the grassland around it. Bottom right: Northern Buttes District water tank slip-in unit in the back of the Kawasaki Mule holding the line with CAL FIRE. Photos from Ryan Martin, Northern Buttes District.
State Historical Resources Commission Tours State Museum Collections Center, Approves Nine Nominations for Federal Historic Designation
Story and photos from: Kevin Murphy, Communications and Marketing Division
 Members of the State Historical Resources Commission and staff from the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) toured the Statewide Museum Collections Center. Front row (left to right): Supervisor of Registration Programs for OHP Jay Correia, Executive Secretary for OHP Monica Newman, State Historian Amy Crain, Commissioner Janet Hansen and State Historian William Burg. Back row (left to right): Commissioners Alan Hess, Lee Adams III, Luis Hoyos, Bryan Brandes, René Vellanoweth and Adam Sriro.
Surrounded by objects from throughout the history of the Golden State, members of the California State Historical Resources Commission (Commission) moved through rooms of cabinets, drawers and shelves. After concluding an informative workshop on working with tribal historic preservation officers as part of the last Commission meeting of the year, commissioners, along with staff from the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP), explored the Statewide Museum Collections Center (SMCC) in Sacramento County.
Small items—ranging from textiles, photographs, maps and paintings—took up residence in smaller rooms throughout the facility. Larger items, including furniture, native baskets and heavy bells and whistles from trains, were stacked high on massive shelving units. With the assistance of SMCC staff members Will Jorae and Sherry Dixon, the group successfully navigated the menagerie of history. The lobby exhibit and behind-the-scenes tour are also available to the public.
Converted from military use following the closure of McClellan Air Force Base, the Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified building houses over 1 million historic objects and artifacts. Reinforced concrete floors, previously designed to support the weight of heavy materials and supplies including aircraft engines, easily handle the weight of high metal shelves holding the assortment of items. Fork and scissor lifts move easily around the massive 160,000 square foot facility, containing over 12 linear miles of shelving and 3.5 miles of pallet racks.
Following the tour, the Commission hosted its final 2023 public meeting on Friday, November 3, at the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building, across the street from the west steps of the State Capitol. Chairperson Adam Sriro began the meeting with a resolution recognizing Noah Holm, a student at Moreno Valley High School in Riverside County, who participated in the National History Day-California competition, with the theme “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.” Students were asked to consider how the exploration of unknown places or ideas resulted in changes that impacted or transformed society and culture.
Noah’s project, entitled “The Second Gold Rush: The History and Work of the Citrus Industry in Riverside, California,” won in the category of Senior Individual Website and was selected for a California Historic Places Award. In addition to the resolution from the Commission, Noah received a $100 check from the California Preservation Foundation and a copy of the book “The Historic Preservation Movement in California” from the OHP for his school’s library. Speaking remotely during the meeting, Noah thanked the Commission in addition to his teachers, his parents and staff from California Citrus State Historic Park.
The Commission also recommended nominations for nine places in California be sent to the National Park Service for its addition to the National Register of Historic Places. Nominees ranged from the Sierra City School, a small schoolhouse in rural Sierra County, to the world-famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
The Commission also approved proposals to remove two properties within Big Basin Redwoods State Park from federal designation due to their destruction by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in August 2020. At the same time, the Commission approved each of their former locations as a California Point of Historical Interest. It also set meeting dates for 2024 and elected Bryan Brandes as the new chairperson and Janet Hansen as the new vice chairperson.
 Left: While artifacts in storage at the SMCC are off limits to visiting photographers, items in the lobby may be photographed, including this replica of a rough-hewn log chair commissioned by former Sutter’s Fort State Historical Museum Curator Harry C. Peterson in preparation for the fort’s centennial celebration in 1939. Top right: Place settings and dining utensils commissioned for dining cars of the Southern Pacific Railroad included the “Prairie Mountain Wildflowers” pattern by the Onondaga Pottery Company of New York and the “Broadway” flatware pattern by the International Silver Company of New Jersey. Bottom right: The State Historical Resources Commission met in the ornate Meeting Room of the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building, itself listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a California Historical Landmark.
State Employees Participate in Food Drive and Run to Feed the Hungry
Story from: Elisa Partin, Administrative Services Division
 The State Employees Food Drive is underway! Every year, the California Department of Food and Agriculture leads the State Employees Food Drive, raising food, funds and awareness regarding food insecurity in our state. For the last three years, as state employees have continued to work remotely, the food drive has expanded to serve all California communities. Last year, state employees donated over $105,600 and 22,300 pounds of food, including 670 turkeys, and 499 volunteer hours to food banks around the state. With your help, we would like to continue this effort to support those in need statewide. This year, the food drive will continue through Jan. 8, 2024.
Food banks and essential programs that assist those experiencing poverty need your support now more than ever. Food-at-home prices increased 11.4% in 2022 alone and many federally funded emergency programs have ended. In turn, more Californians slipped into poverty. For example, the number of people served at the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services nearly doubled from 2019 to 2023, and this is a similar trend at food banks across the state. One in five Californians, or 8.8 million people, have limited or uncertain access to food.
If you are located in the Sacramento region, a great way to give back is through participating in the Run to Feed the Hungry fun run event, which will be taking place on Thanksgiving Day. All proceeds from this event benefit Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, which provides much more than food to those experiencing poverty. It also provides health and nutrition classes, immigration legal services, refugee resettlement services and utility assistance. Find additional volunteer opportunities and donate to your local food bank at California State Employees Food Drive.
If you choose to participate in this effort, please remember to submit the Food Drive Credit Form by Jan. 8, 2024.
All efforts count. Together we can help alleviate hunger in our state.
All in a Day’s Work at Sonoma Coast State Park
Story from: Rich Lawton, Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods
 Top row: Before (left) and after (right) the crew's work. Photos from Rich Lawton, Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods (SCR). Bottom left: Forestry Aide Quillian Hill and Forestry Technician Brent Hermsmeyer with volunteer trail crew members Jeffery Seleason, Bob Ahders, Keith Flood and Paul Schwarz starting to remove tripping hazards in the work area. Photo from Mark Anderson, SCR. Bottom right: Quillian Hill and Brent Hermsmeyer doing the "Duff Clearing Shuffle." Photo from Rich Lawton, SCR.
Eight trail crew volunteers joined four State Parks forestry crew members on a mission to clear a reported 30-foot-diameter redwood tree blocking a section of the Creekside Trail in the Willow Creek Watershed of Sonoma Coast State Park. To get to the tree, our teams had to first drive up Coleman Valley Road to the Hunters Camp Road Trail Head, then 2 miles down the winding Hunters Camp Fire Road.
After reaching the junction with the Creekside Trail, the crew took their vehicles to a safe turnaround spot and hiked in our equipment the rest of the way. This massive tree had three trunks crossing the trail at a 45-degree angle.
After cleaning up most of the branches and tripping hazards, five sawyers started clearing the trail for hikers, bikers and equestrians. Some of the forestry crew even showed the volunteers how to do the "Duff Clearing Shuffle"—something of a cross between "The Twist" and "The Locomotion."
Volunteers used a McLeod rake hoe tool to rake the forest. After clearing the Creekside Trail, the forestry crew headed up to Fort Ross for a prescribed burning. Our trail crew spent the rest of the day clearing low overhanging branches and other hazard trees along the Creekside Trail, Creekside Connector Trail and Hunters Camp Road.
Partnerships Division Hosts Engaging in Partnerships Training at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds
Story from: Sasha Tokas, Partnerships Division
 The Park Operations Leadership Panel session at Grace Dodge Chapel at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds. Left to right: Partnerships Division Chief Carlene Croisdale, Desert Field Division Chief Greg Martin, Central Field Division Chief Matthew Bellah, Park Operations Assistant Deputy Director Adrien Contreras and Park Operations Administrative Chief Lisa Jaycox. Photo from Rachel Young, Partnerships Division.
The Partnerships Division hosted its third Engaging in Partnerships (EIP) training at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California, from Monday, November 6, to Thursday, November 9. After a hiatus in 2021 due to the pandemic, everyone was excited and energized to gather in the same space again. The training brought together Partnerships Division staff, district staff, department leadership and our California State Park partners.
The theme for the training was “Explore the Ecosystem of Partnerships: Connect, Innovate, and Sustain.” The goal was to provide a forum for engagement between partners and department partnership liaisons to learn about best practices and partnership trends throughout the California State Park System and beyond. The training provided an opportunity to learn and share necessary skills to develop successful relationships that move State Parks and our partners toward an innovative and sustainable future.
After opening the training with a land acknowledgment from the KaKoon Ta Ruk Band of Ohlone–Costanoan Indians of the Big Sur Rancheria and a warm welcome from State Parks Director Armando Quintero, attendees were able to choose from a diverse selection of training sessions over the course of three days. Sessions included topics such as Interpretation Today and Tomorrow, Innovative Partnerships, Increasing Unity in the Outdoor Community, Navigating Crossover Between Cooperating Associations and Volunteers, and many more.
At the end of the training, department staff and partners left with a renewed sense of union, motivation and inspiration. Thank you to all who attended, spoke and helped organize this incredibly successful training.
We look forward to putting the lessons learned into practice and seeing you all again at the next EIP training!
 Partnerships Division team posing together for a group photo at the Engaging in Partnerships training. From left to right: Brie Grossman, Kevin White, Megan Boisvert, Michelle Humphrey, Allie DiGioia, a photo of Justine Kardad, Rachel Young, Rene Hamlin, Robyn Krock, Sasha Tokas, Emily Walsh, Erik Hernandez, and Carlene Croisdale. Photo from Emily Henry, Parks California.
Archaeological Survey at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park Yields More Than Trash
Story and photos from: Steven Ptomey, Great Basin District
 Ceramic fragment (left) and piece of purple glass (top right) found at the survey field (bottom right).
Seasonal Archaeologists Chris Anderson and Lee Bradley recently conducted archaeological field surveys at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in preparation for the proposed new visitor center.
Allensworth was founded in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth, Professor William Payne and several other men in the Central Valley on the once flourishing Tulare lakebed. It represented an important part of state history, as it was the first planned community founded, governed, built and populated by African Americans in California. As stewards to California's past, the department follows the regulations laid down in the California Environmental Quality Act for any activities that may impact cultural or natural resources. Because the Allensworth townsite is formally listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a California State Historical Landmark, extra care is being taken to not impact the remains of this important piece of California history during the planning phase for this new visitor center.
When conducting a survey, archaeologists typically walk the entire project area in a methodical crisscross pattern—like a search pattern for a lost person—in what are called "transects." On one of transects, they found a historic trash scatter, one of many, that included this small ceramic fragment. While most people would think this is just “trash,” it can offer insights into the lives of people who inhabited the town. This finely painted bisque porcelain ceramic fragment was most likely part of a plate or saucer and appears to be in the “Flora Danica” or “Danish flower” pattern. Although this is too small of a fragment to be sure, patterns like this can often be dated to specific period years or date ranges as patterns fall in and out of fashion. By researching the cost and availability of specific types of fine China, this information can give us clues on who lived here and insights on their social status. If a “makers mark” can be found, it can also clue the researcher in on who made it, and when and how much it cost when sold. Sometimes, small things can contain big stories.
For more information on the proposed new visitor center, click here.
Teachers Discuss How to Tackle Difficult Historical Content at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
Story from: Josephine Czarnecki and Julie Sidel, Santa Cruz District
 Top and bottom left: Teachers listen to State Park Interpreter Steven Ellmore and Seasonal Aide Josephine Czarnecki discuss Indigenous Californian lifeways in the Santa Cruz area. Bottom right: Educators Grace Kim (Palo Verde Elementary) and Melinda Mertens (Oakwood School) share with the group how they prepare students for a mission field trip. Photos from Julie Sidel, Santa Cruz District.
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park hosted its first PassPORTS (PORTS: Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students®) Teacher Symposium on Saturday, November 4. We modeled our Environmental Studies Mission Day curriculum with educators teaching K-5, outdoor education, Critical Mission Studies and first-grade ethics. Access Coordinator Kara Lu joined us from San Diego to explore new Mission Studies curriculum ideas using the PassPORTS 5E methodology.
While we were excited to share our field trip activities and resources, like our Virtual Bell exhibit, the most satisfying experience was connecting with teachers in conversation about how we grapple with difficult historical topics. These educators brought great perspectives, new ideas and wonderful resources. They shared the connections their students make from their personal heritage, like first graders passionate about the Aztec fight against Spanish colonization. The teachers added to the discussion with their own cultural experiences, such as memories of harvest festivals or recent Día de Los Muertos celebrations.
We are grateful for the educators of our community who joined us Saturday, helping us tackle these difficult histories and lending their wisdom, thoughtfulness and lived experiences. We look forward to completing and sharing new lesson plans that grow out of the symposium experience.
To learn more about the PassPORTS programs, click here.
Inland Empire District Conducts Class A Uniform Inspection and Photo Shoot
Story from: Mike Dippel, Inland Empire District
 Inland Empire District’s state park peace officers (SPPOs) take their Class A group photo. Photo from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division.
Inland Empire District law enforcement managers conducted a Class A uniform inspection for the district’s state park peace officers (SPPOs) on Wednesday, November 1, at the Regional Indian Museum in Lake Perris State Recreation Area. Senior Photographer Brian Baer assisted in photographing the inspection and taking individual and group Class A photos of all SPPOs.
It is critical that our peace officer staff maintains their Class A uniforms as required per department policy. It is equally important that our officers have a high-quality professional photograph of themselves in their Class A uniform, for many different reasons. Our officers will look back on these photos throughout their career and be reminded of the pride and honor of being a state park peace officer.
 Top left: Inland Empire District SPPOs line up to have their uniforms inspected. Top right: Perris Sector Superintendent John Rowe inspects the uniforms of Lake Perris Sector SPPOs. Bottom left: Silverwood Sector Superintendent Ryann Gill, Inland Empire District Chief Ranger Mike Dippel and Perris Sector Superintendent John Rowe conduct inspections on staff. Bottom right (left to right): Perris Sector Superintendent John Rowe, Inland Empire District Superintendent Kelly Elliott, Inland Empire District Chief Ranger Mike Dippel and Silverwood Sector Superintendent Ryann Gill pose for a photo together. Photos from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division.
Carmel River State Beach Hosts Multiagency Oil Spill Response Exercise
Story from: Luna Morales, Monterey District
 Safety meeting before the oil spill response exercise begins. Photo from Luna Morales, Monterey District.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) held an oil spill response exercise at Carmel River State Beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, on Wednesday, November 1. Representatives from State Parks, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Marine Spill Response Corporation and members of the KaKoon Ta Ruk Band of Ohlone Indians of the Big Sur Rancheria and Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe were all in attendance.
The purpose of the exercise was to familiarize authorized responders and local stakeholders with site strategy details, as well as identify any modifications to strategies that may be necessary as part of the OSPR’s Sensitive Site Strategy Evaluation Program (SSSEP). The SSSEP tests and evaluates the effectiveness of oil spill response strategies to protect sensitive environmental resources.
The exercise included deploying a containment boom in the Carmel River Lagoon that would float on top of the water to help contain floating oil and constructing a filter fence in the sand to protect against tides and waves potentially overtopping the sand berm. If an oil spill were ever to occur, exercises such as this one would ensure successful protection of the wildlife and habitat on the Carmel River.
More information on the program and sensitive sites can be found on OSPR’s website at wildlife.ca.gov/OSPR.
 Left: One of the public notices placed throughout Carmel River State Beach. Photo from Luna Morales, Monterey District. Right: The containment boom is placed in the Carmel River Lagoon. Photo from Dan Shaw, Monterey District.
The Pine Ridge Association Volunteers Rebuild Historic Cattle Chute at Henry W. Coe State Park
Story from: Joseph Starr, Diablo Range District
 Top left: The cattle chute before work began at the Coe Ranch entrance in Henry W. Coe State Park. Photo from Joseph Starr, Diablo Range District. Top right: Part of the old corral before the reconstruction started. Photo from Joseph Starr, Diablo Range District. Bottom left: The new and improved cattle chute after work was completed. Photo from Robert Kass, The Pine Ridge Association. Bottom right: The completed corral side of the Coe Ranch entrance. Photo from Robert Kass, The Pine Ridge Association.
Recently, a passionate group of volunteers from The Pine Ridge Association: Henry W. Coe State Park rebuilt the deteriorating cattle chute and part of the old corral at the Coe Ranch entrance in the park.
For almost 70 years, the wooden structure withstood the harsh elements and served as a relic of the remarkable ranching history of the Diablo Range. The chute was originally built by Sada Coe Robinson in the early 1950s, although it was never used for its intended purpose.
Since the park’s founding in 1959, thousands of hikers passed by this iconic feature as they embarked on their treks into the rugged terrain. Surely, it led to the start of at least a few conversations about cowboys, cattle drives and what life was like back in the old days. Using like-kind materials, skilled carpentry and some good old-fashioned elbow grease, the team of dedicated, uniformed volunteers completed this project in a matter of weeks. Hopefully, this corral will continue to interpret the park’s ranching history as it welcomes visitors for generations to come.
For more information on this restoration, check out the fall 2023 edition of “The Ponderosa” newsletter on The Pine Ridge Association’s website at coepark.net.
Morro Bay Museum of Natural History Unveils New Traveling Exhibit: 'The Curious World of Seaweed'
Story and photos from Monica Rutherford, San Luis Obispo Coast District
 “The Curious World of Seaweed” exhibit now on display at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History at Morro Bay State Park.
The Morro Bay Museum of Natural History welcomed a brand-new traveling exhibit “The Curious World of Seaweed” on Sunday, October 22, at Morro Bay State Park. This exhibit provides a new look at marine flora through stunning color portraits of specimens, scientifically accurate text panels and surprising stories highlighting Indigenous peoples’ and women’s connections to seaweed.
“The Curious World of Seaweed” also features the works and research of Josie Iselin, a photographer, author and prolific book designer. Park staff co-hosted an exhibit launch event on Wednesday, November 1, with the Central Coast State Parks Association in celebration of the exhibit’s installation where Iselin gave a presentation on seaweed and her art, as visitors enjoyed free admission to see the vibrant exhibit.
The exhibit is on display now until Friday, December 15. We hope to “sea” you at the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History to enjoy this incredible installation.
 More glimpses of the “The Curious World of Seaweed” exhibit.
Leland Stanford Mansion Hosts First-Ever Halloween-Themed Tours
Story and photos from: Megan Stanley, Capital District
 Left: Leland Stanford Mansion decorated with cobwebs and pumpkins in time for spooky season. Right: The moon and Halloween lights illuminate the mansion for evening tours.
In partnership with the Governor's Office, the Leland Stanford Mansion at Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park was decorated, for the first time ever, for the Halloween season. The addition of skeletons, pumpkins, unsettling sound effects and more spooky things offered a different view of the mansion. Guides also did an amazing job adding to the eerie theme of the tours by sharing stories of Victorian funeral and mourning customs, spiritualism and superstitions.
On the last two Friday and Saturday evenings in October, we opened our front door for guests to tour the home. Visitors walked in and saw a pumpkin-lined staircase with a bit of fog, and they heard melancholy music with crying sounds that made for an uncanny effect. A room was even adorned in funerary decorations for a wake, including a casket, while the library was decorated for a séance with the sounds of spirits and whispers enclosing the room.
Throughout the tour, guests encountered other ghastly sights, such as eyeballs in wine glasses in the dining room, black garlands and skulls in the children’s rooms, and the sounds of children’s laughter and a startling scream in another room.
Guests exited the house by the sunporch, where they were offered pumpkin and spider cookies from the Governor’s Office. Many visitors left with a new interest in the stories of this local state historic park.
On October 30 and 31, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) joined the First Partner’s Office to offer pumpkins and apples to guests on daytime tours. Thank you to the volunteers from the CDFA who handed out this delicious produce to our guests.
I would like to give a massive thanks to all staff and volunteers who helped make this event possible. Our guide staff did a fantastic job interpreting darker topics connected to the mansion’s history. Thank you to the office staff who dealt with the reservation systems, the maintenance staff for always keeping the mansion running and the curatorial staff for helping remove all the decorations. I would also like to send a thank you to Heartstoppers Haunted House, who came in to decorate the mansion and beautifully brought out the haunted mansion vibes.
Halloween Fun at Sonoma State Historic Park
Story and photos from: Dave Duplantier, Bay Area District
 Top left: Sonoma County Librarian Kim Dargeou reading to kids. Top right: Mascot Sonomie Bear as an extraterrestrial. Bottom left: Campfire attendees roasting apples and marshmallows. Bottom right: Kids in firefighter and mission costumes.
At Sonoma State Historic Park (SHP), the days leading up to Halloween and Halloween day itself were celebrated with community in mind.
It was a few days before Halloween, and all through the park creatures were stirring, especially for the Costume Campfire Program in the Barracks Courtyard at Sonoma SHP. We encouraged, but did not require, kids and adults to come in costume to join us for an evening of treats—but not really any tricks—on the Saturday evening before Halloween.
The special Campfire Program included songs, a ghostly marshmallow roast with s’mores and a special guest appearance by Sonoma County Library’s Child and Teen Services Librarian Kim Dargeou, who brought along some not too spooky readings for the little goblins to enjoy. Sonoma Sam, our musician volunteer, also entertained with a couple of Halloween songs, including our renowned—at least in Sonoma—Halloween classic “Take Me Out to a State Park.”
On Halloween afternoon, the downtown plaza area became filled with trick-or-treaters. At the Sonoma Barracks, State Parks staff were busy handing out treats (but no tricks). Among our favorite costumes was a girl from Sonoma, California, dressed as Mission San Francisco Solano and her brother representing State Parks as forestry firefighter. What a coincidence it would be if they both joined State Parks in the future!
Northern Buttes District Participates in California Swan Festival, Leading Hikes in Sutter Buttes State Park
Story from: Rosie Blackburn, Northern Buttes District
 Northern Buttes District staff and hike participants take in Peace Valley from various vistas. Photo from Rosie Blackburn and Chaye Vail, Northern Buttes District.
Northern Buttes District led two hikes on November 11 and 12 in the Sutter Buttes for the California Swan Festival. These hikes were a special opportunity to get members of the public out into Sutter Buttes State Park, which is only accessible via guided entry.
The hikes led participants to various vistas and points of interest throughout Peace Valley within the park, highlighting the unique natural, cultural and geological features of the landscape. Hikes were led by Environmental Scientists Chaye Vail, Chad Mackie and Rosie Blackburn and State Park Peace Officers Bryan Taylor and Ryan Gray.
As stated on the California Swan Festival website, “The California Swan Festival was started in 2013 by the Yuba Sutter Chamber of Commerce and California Department of Fish and Wildlife to highlight wintering waterfowl in the heart of the Pacific Flyway. In 2022 Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust became the festival lead with the intention of continuing to spotlight wildlife while adding a conservation focus to bring more awareness and understanding of our connection to the land.”
Northern Buttes District staff is always excited to take advantage of opportunities to partner with organizations that allow us to increase exposure to the wonders of the Sutter Buttes.
 Northern Buttes District staff, hike participants and a view of the hike. Photos from Rosie Blackburn and Chaye Vail, Northern Buttes District.
  Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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