January 5, 2024

  Video of the Week

Various State Parks

State Parks jumped on the “Of Course” trend on social media and made this video—State Parks-style, of course. We posted the video Friday, January 5, and so far, at the time of publishing, it has received over 27,000 views, more than 2,000 likes, close to 90 comments and nearly 300 shares on Instagram alone. A huge thank you to staff who helped make this a successful collaboration. View the video on Instagram, X and Facebook. 

Video from Communications and Marketing Division, and San Diego Coast, Colorado Desert, North Coast Redwoods, Sierra, San Luis Obispo and Central Valley Districts

Photo of the Week

Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

The view while out on the ski trail.

Photo from Elizabeth McMillan, Sierra District

WHAT'S NEW

California State Parks Provides Wellness App to Employees and Their Families

Story from: Doug Johnson, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division

Graphic courtesy of Cordico.

To proactively address mental health challenges among employees, California State Parks has launched a customized, confidential wellness app that will be available to all State Parks staff members and their families. Powered by Cordico, the app includes a wellness tool kit addressing 60 behavioral health topics such as fatigue, suicide prevention and alcohol abuse, mental health self-assessments, and videos and guides on yoga, mindfulness, nutrition and more.

Cordico was originally designed to strengthen the mental and physical wellness of emergency service workers, who are exposed to traumatic incidents at a much higher rate than the general population. State Parks has made the app available for all employees.

“The department employs over 1,500 first responders—peace officers, seasonal lifeguards and communications operators—who are exposed to a lot of trauma. But many other classifications can be involved in critical incidents. It’s just the nature of parks. We all work together when there is an emergency. And all of us have challenges in our personal lives,” said Jeremy Stinson, the department’s peer support program coordinator.

Cordico also provides assistance on how to use the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

"I know EAP can be tough to navigate, especially when it comes to knowing what is available and who is eligible. For that reason, a breakdown of resources and direct links have been provided in the app (under "Department > Resources") to help streamline access. Our goal is to try to continue to make access to all things wellness as easy as possible for our employees and their families," said Brooke Haugen, the department’s Wellness and EAP Coordinator.

Personnel and their family members will have confidential, 24/7 access to the app to ensure they have the resources they need in their most difficult moments—on or off-duty.

You can download the Cordico app on your state phone via the Company Portal. You can also go to https://www.cordico.com/wellness-app-installation/ and access Cordico on any mobile device. For questions on Cordico, contact Jeremy.Stinson@parks.ca.gov or Brooke.Haugen@parks.ca.gov. 

California State Parks Issues 2022 Volunteers in Parks Program Annual Report

Story from: Rachel Young, Partnerships Division

Top left: Nancy Pyzel and Jaymee De La Rosa at Monterey State Historic Park's Christmas in the Adobes event. Photo from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division. Top right: Clarice Caroll-Sanderson at the Dogwood Festival at Calaveras Big Trees State Park (SP). Photo from Amber Sprock, Central Valley District. Bottom right: VIPP 2022 Annual Report cover. Bottom left: Donna and Victor Petersen, camp hosts at Emerald Bay SP. Photo from Elizabeth McMillan, Sierra District.

As 2023 drew to a close, the Volunteers in Parks Program’s (VIPP's) 2022 Annual Report was published. California State Parks, its staff and visitors all greatly benefit from the presence, hard work, talent and dedication of volunteers. The 2022 annual report shows 22,757 volunteers contributed a total of 770,792 service hours, which carry an equivalent value of over $28.7 million. This was a nearly 30% increase of volunteer hours over 2021 and a 114.8% increase in the total number of volunteers serving over 2021. These increases were not unexpected, given the significant challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the volunteer program in 2020 and 2021. However, it is encouraging to see the volunteer program start to return to its pre-pandemic levels of activity and participation.

Without the passionate and dedicated service of volunteers in the VIPP supporting critical functions, State Parks would not be able to successfully execute its mission.

Throughout the year, California State Parks’ community of excellent volunteers served in their parks in outstanding ways through their work in helping with park interpretation, visitor services, public safety, ongoing stewardship of our natural and cultural resources and so much more! We look forward to learning more about volunteers’ contributions to their parks in 2023, as reports on last year’s volunteer activity come in over the next few months. 

The report’s statistics also reflect the efforts of volunteer coordinators, superintendents and field staff who are to be commended for their work in building and maintaining this robust program. To request a copy of the report, email Volunteer.InParksProgram@parks.ca.gov.

California State Parks would like to thank our amazing volunteers for their years of service and commitment to the stewardship of our parks.

Top left: Chris Long at the information station at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Photo from Kim Fraser, Monterey District. Top middle: Eddie Tapia, high school student volunteer at William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park. Photo from Heather Lee, Northern Buttes District. Top right: Paula and Frank Vest, volunteers with the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area volunteer patrol. Photo from Paula and Frank Vest. Bottom right: Francine Van Meter in the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (SP) visitor center. Photo from Dylan McManus, Santa Cruz District. Bottom left: Missy Rakestraw, Brian Jones and Chuck Welti watering the garden at Crystal Cove SP. Photo from Paul Patterson, Orange Coast District.

ADVENTURE OF THE MONTH

Healing Scars of the Gold Rush at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park

Story from: Andreas Agocs, Communications and Marketing Division

Top: The former Malakoff mining site. Photo from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division. Bottom left: The hydraulic mining operations with high-pressure monitors at the Diggins pit before 1900. Photo from California State Parks Photo Archives. Bottom right: The former mining pit as seen from the same spot, looking north from the Diggins Loop Trail, in 2023. Photo from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division.

Visitors who admire the dazzling fall colors of Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park (SHP) may not also realize the many ways that its natural and cultural environment was shaped by the hunt for gold. Located in the Sierra foothills northeast of Nevada City, the park preserves and interprets the historic town of North Bloomfield and the site of what once was the world’s largest hydraulic gold mine. Malakoff Diggins SHP still bears the scars of California’s obsession with the shiny metal, but the park also offers the unique experience of a landscape in transformation.

Before setting out for the trails to the Diggins, the former mining site, stop by the historic visitor center and museum in North Bloomfield, formerly named Humbug City, to learn about the park’s history. The name Humbug, for the mining camp and the nearby creek, reflected disappointment that the gold deposits found in the riverbeds in 1851 were quickly depleted.

Profits grew with the shift to hydraulic mining, which used pressurized water streams to wash gold-bearing rock sediments from the mountains. Founded in 1866, the North Bloomfield Mining and Gravel Company introduced capital-intensive technologies and industrial-scale mining to Malakoff. Between 1876 and 1884, when the company operated the world’s largest hydraulic mine at the Malakoff Diggins, North Bloomfield consisted of about 180 structures and almost 2,000 inhabitants.

Today, about 30 buildings are part of the state park; among them, for example, the beautifully preserved Smith-Knotwell Drugstore, with its shelves of original medicine bottles. “I’m always interested in looking behind the stories,” said Interpretive Senior Park Aide Nicole Spaulding, "and tell the stories that haven’t been heard,” including the experiences of the Nisenan people, who inhabited the Sierra foothills for many centuries; of the Chinese miners, who made essential contributions to the mining community; and of the women who made up a small minority in the male-dominated mining town.

Nicole points out that the mining past’s legacy can still be found in unexpected places. North Bloomfield’s walnut trees, for example, go back to the company days, when walnut oil was used to lubricate the mine’s most important machinery, the repurposed Civil War era-cannons called “monitors.”

Equipped with nozzles to create high-pressure water jets, seven 1.5-ton monitors blasted the mountainsides with 16 billion gallons of water a year to dislodge 100,000 tons of gravel per day. Mercury was added to separate the gold from the gravel, as over 100 miles of ditches, flumes and tunnels supplied the water and washed billions of tons of debris and sludge—the tailings of the washed-away mountainsides—down into the Sacramento Valley, reaching as far as San Francisco.

The mine’s operation destroyed millions of acres of farmland and wildlife habitat, flooded communities, and caused millions of dollars in damage. In the nation’s first environmental lawsuit, Judge Lorenzo Sawyer in 1884 banned the discharge of debris into local rivers. The landmark decision made hydraulic mining unprofitable. By the 1890s, the company ceased its operations, leaving behind a barren landscape and a vast pit that resembled a giant moon crater thousands of feet in diameter.

Today, the colorful, exposed cliffs overlooking the former mining pit stand in stoic beauty, as if in defiance of the wounds inflicted on them in the past. The Diggins Loop Trail and the overlooks from the Rim Trail and the Chute Hill Campground offer stunning views of a landscape that has undergone striking transformations. What used to be a desolate pit of gravel and sludge is now a scenic wetland rimmed by abundant cattails, manzanita and lush pine forest. Nicole explains that the marsh has become a unique ecosystem for endangered and threatened species like the willow flycatcher, red-legged frog and spotted owl. “What I love most about Malakoff Diggins,” said Nicole, “is how it shows nature’s amazing power of regeneration.”

Park visitors can find plenty of recreational opportunities, including hiking on 20 miles of trails, camping at the park’s 30 campsites or staying at one of three rustic miner cabins in historic North Bloomfield. Mining life comes alive every June with the Humbug Day event, and Nicole is planning to bring nature journaling and Arts in the Parks to Malakoff Diggins. With careful stewardship as a state park, the former mining site will continue to heal and offer visitors its many rewards more freely than the gold forced from its mountainsides more than a century ago.

Left: Interpretive Senior Park Aide Nicole Spaulding on the Rim Trail. Top right: Historic miners' cabin at North Bloomfield under fall foliage. Bottom right: High-pressure water cannon, or monitor, on display in North Bloomfield. Photos from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division.

Top left: The early flume system at the Malakoff Diggings mine in 1871, with Back Bone Ridge in distance. Photo from California State Parks Photo Archives. Top right: View from the Rim Trail. The exposed Malakoff cliffs provide geologists insights into 40 million years of Earth history. Bottom: Wetland habitat and view from the Diggins Loop Trail. Photos from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division.

FIELD REPORT

Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area Conducts Large-Scale Preserve Cleanup With Help From California Highway Patrol Coastal Air Operations Unit

Story and photos from: Oceano Dunes District staff

California Highway Patrol Coastal Division Air Operations Unit and State Parks staff pause for a group photo after a successful interagency hoist operation in the Pismo Dunes Natural Reserve at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

Oceano Dunes District completed a large-scale cleanup project in the Pismo Dunes Natural Preserve with help from the California Highway Patrol Coastal Division Air Operations Unit (CHP) on Nov. 15, 2023. This project was the culmination of a multiyear enforcement effort, meticulous planning and site preparations by State Parks staff. The interagency effort recovered 93 super sacks of trash, totaling over 19,000 pounds, from illegal camps in a densely vegetated area of the preserve. 

This cleanup project addressed a persistent issue that had accumulated over the years, posing a threat to the integrity of the highly sensitive natural and culturally significant resources of the preserve. CHP’s participation allowed State Parks to avoid the challenges of executing a ground-based cleanup project, which would have introduced significant and unavoidable natural and culturally significant resource impacts requiring substantial post-project remediation.  

Oceano Dunes District owes the success of this project to the contributions of State Parks staff at all levels. State Parks law enforcement, natural resource and maintenance staff collaborated to design a project that could overcome the difficult terrain, address the tremendous volume of material present and mitigate further disturbance. Consultations with the State Parks Special Enforcement Team (SET) and CHP staff were instrumental in helping Oceano Dunes District staff pursue a long line hoist operation, and district administrative staff were instrumental in facilitating the necessary contracts to complete site preparations. 

All hands were on deck for the air operation, including state parks peace officer rangers and lifeguards, SET officers, seasonal lifeguards, natural resource specialists, maintenance heavy equipment operator and park aides. State Parks staff secured the landing zone, connected sling load rigging to bags in the preserve, disconnected the load on the beach, loaded the bags into awaiting dumpsters and monitored for resource health. Additionally, nearly a dozen CHP officers participated as pilots, ground safety officers and ground support staff.  

The unwavering support of the CHP underscored the high value Oceano Dunes District places on close working relationships with allied agencies. Agency partners play a vital role in achieving our shared goals, enabling State Parks to accomplish a broad spectrum of core functions from trauma medical response to the preservation of our natural resources. Oceano Dunes appreciates the contributions of all people involved in the monumental operation. 

Top left: State Parks peace officer rangers and lifeguards, SET officers, seasonal lifeguards, natural resource specialists, maintenance heavy equipment operator and park aides gathered with CHP pilots from the Coastal Division Air Operations Unit for a morning briefing. Bottom left: State Parks Law Enforcement staff prepare super sacks full of waste for sling loading at an abandoned camp. Top right: State Parks Law Enforcement and Natural Resource staff hike through difficult terrain to abandoned illegal camps. Bottom right: CHP Coastal Division Air Operations helicopter H-70 lowers the body of a riding lawn mower into the Landing Zone as part of a major operation, clearing waste from illegal camps in the Pismo Dunes Natural Preserve.

Prescribed Burn Completed in Andrew Molera State Park

Story and photos from: Aidan Sarbeck, Monterey District

Prescribed burn in coastal scrub habitat. 

The Monterey District burn team, in collaboration with the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, CAL FIRE San Benito-Monterey Unit, Diablo Range District and Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association, completed a successful prescribed burn at Andrew Molera State Park (SP) on Dec. 13, 2023.

The goal of this burn was to restore the Coastal Prairie Plant Community in Andrew Molera SP that has diminished due to competition from nonnative grasses, encroachment by coastal scrub and lack of frequent, low-intensity fires. The reintroduction of fire to the landscape also has the potential to enhance fire safety by reducing high fuel density. 

Restoration Effort Begins at Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park

Story and photos from: Julie Barrow, Santa Cruz District

The construction zone is fenced off prior to work starting in January 2024. 

Christmas came early this year to Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, with the signing of the contract to restore the iconic 151-year-old lighthouse. Work will begin Monday, January 8, and is expected to take approximately two years, with the total project cost being $16 million. The 115-foot building has been closed since December 2001, when two large pieces of iron and brick work broke away from the upper portion of the tower.

The selected contractor is Sustainable Group, led by CEO Roger Wykle, a retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander, who served as the Coast Guard’s subject matter expert for numerous lighthouses, lighthouse keeper quarters and outbuilding restoration projects. He will serve as the on-site field supervisor for the project. The subcontractor on the project is ICC Commonwealth. Both companies have a long history of lighthouse rehabilitation and restoration throughout the U.S.

Additionally, staff of both companies have extensive experience with historic and lighthouse preservation. Notable projects include almost 100 lighthouses, particularly several lighthouses built to the same blueprints as Pigeon Point, including those in Bodie Island, North Carolina; Currituck Beach, North Carolina; and Yaquina Head, Oregon, as well as numerous other tall lighthouses.

The work on the Pigeon Point Light Station will include:

• The lantern room: The roof will be repaired and repainted, and the copper ventilation ball on top will be cleaned and repainted. The glass curtain walls of the lantern room will be repaired and resealed, and the metal elements will be repainted.
• Upper tower deck and railings: The corroded deck elements and railings will be removed and replaced to match the original cast iron details.
• Upper tower belt course: Continuing corrosion of cast iron elements on the upper belt course make repair of the upper tower the most critical portion of the project. Cast iron and masonry elements will be restored or replaced based on condition, and seismic reinforcing will be added.
• Interior ironwork, windows, and corroded cast iron elements at the base of the tower: All will be repaired or replaced as needed. Layers of old paint coatings will be removed, and a new paint system will be applied to protect the building from the extreme maritime environment.
• Lower belt course ironwork: It will be restored or replaced as needed. Foundation masonry elements will be restored or replaced as needed.
• Oil housewalls and chimneys: They will be seismically strengthened, and deteriorated building materials will be repaired or replaced.

To learn more, read the full press release here. 

Left: Mesh and cabling surround the damaged upper belt course of Pigeon Point Lighthouse. Right: The two lower belt courses of the lighthouse foundation show significant rust and deterioration.

K-9 Janko Retires

Story from: Chris Hendricks, San Luis Obispo Coast District

Janko's headshot. Photo from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division

Back in Feb. 26, 2018, I made the drive to Menlo Park, California, to pick up a new K-9 partner. As an experienced handler, I had the privilege of getting the first pick at the selections. It took four hours looking at 12 different potential K-9s until it was narrowed down to one K-9, which stood out above all … Janko. He was an 11-month-old “sable” colored German shepherd from Western Czech Republic. He weighed about 65 pounds and was a ball of energy. He was a serious K-9 but was also a sucker for belly rubs.

For those who know him best, he is a big softy with an even bigger heart. I had the honor and privilege of working on patrol with Janko for almost six years. He was a good K-9 from the beginning and only got better with time, strong bonding and street experience. He is intelligent, strong, loyal and courageous. I cannot count how many times he kept me safe and protected the officers he worked with. He is my partner, friend, teammate and my family. Janko has been a great asset for Oceano Dunes District, San Luis Obispo Coast District, the San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT Team, the California State Parks’ K-9 program and California State Parks.

It was an honor and a privilege to be a K-9 handler. I will always be grateful for the time I shared working patrol and SWAT with Janko and all the great stories and experiences we shared together. He truly is a hero. Enjoy your retirement, my friend. You have earned it!

K-9 Janko will live out his retirement days with me and my family.

Janko’s career statistics:

• Total K-9 deployments: 145
• Assists to other agencies: 70 
• Felony and misdemeanor arrests with K-9 as primary use of force (deterrent or apprehension): 42
• Suspects located with K-9 during searches or tracks: 19
• SWAT deployments where K-9 was used: 15

State Parks Lifeguards Among All-Stars Selected to Tour Australia in January 2024

Story from: Ryan Gates, Orange Coast District

Left: Brandi White (seasonal lifeguard, Orange Coast District) exits the water after a Surf Boat race at Torrance Beach 2023. Photo from Joel Gitelson, event photographer. Right: David McKeeman (seasonal lifeguard, San Diego Coast District) exits the water after a Surf Swim race at Newport Beach 2023. Photo from James Burgess, event photographer.

Six California State Parks lifeguards have been selected for an Australian competition and educational exchange tour this month. Athletes and Seasonal Lifeguards David McKeeman, San Diego Coast District; Brandi White and Coral Kemp, Orange Coast District; and Ben Tran, Angeles District, will be participating in the Summer of Surf, Super Surf Teams League, and the Wieland Shield tour.

Supporting the team are Team Coach and Lifeguard Sergeant Shane Scoggins, Training Section, and Assistant Team Manager and Lifeguard Sergeant Ryan Gates, Orange Coast District. Team “California Lifesaving” comprises 22 all-star California lifeguards heading Down Under.

The prestigious Wieland Shield tour is a more than 60-year relationship between California lifeguards and Life Saving Victoria, a lifeguard service in the state of Victoria, Australia. The exchange of lifesaving knowledge, skills and techniques has fostered many new and improved rescue techniques and equipment over the years. The Victoria and California team consist of top lifeguards from multiple agencies.

In addition to the educational exchange, a two-day Wieland Shield lifesaving competition takes place. Each team consists of six men and six women: All surf racing all-stars racing for the coveted "Shield." The Wieland Shield trophy was first presented by the Consul General William A. Wieland in 1967. Consul Wieland enthusiastically sponsored and encouraged the competitive and educational exchange in 1967. The trophy is made from Victorian red gum wood, oval, with a badge representing the State of Victoria and the insignia of the United States Life Saving Association. The trophy is retained by the winning country until the next biannual competition crosses the Pacific Ocean. The 2024 competitions will be held at Ocean Grove and Anglesea, Australia, on January 26 and 27.

Follow Team California Lifesaving on Instagram at @californiasurflifesavingsport, and learn more about the team and history here.

Best of luck to Team California Lifesaving.

Story Time and Crafting Party at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area

Story and photo from: Amanda Sellers, Northern Buttes District

This photo was taken during State Parks Week celebration in June 2023 at the North Forebay at the Lake Oroville SRA. These monthly events encourage young readers and their families to get outside and enjoy California's state parks.

The StoryWalk is a project created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. The Northern Buttes District interpreters have provided this literacy event to their park units for several years. At Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (SRA), we have placed the StoryWalk in many of our campgrounds and recreation areas.

For a StoryWalk, we laminate single storybook pages, position them onto small A-frames and place them along a trail in our parks. Families of young children can walk and stroll along at their own pace as they read the story. This allows families to engage in a reading activity together, while outdoors in a state park. An additional activity is offered that is based on the story itself, the season of the year and location of the park.

Recognizing the importance of continuing this program but wanting to keep children warm during chilly weather, the staff on Dec. 16, 2023, moved the event inside the Discovery Hall at Bidwell Canyon Campground. Now called Story Time and Crafting Party, the indoor space was festooned with pine garland, decorated trees and beribboned pinecones. Holly berries and a wreath decorated the stone fireplace and holiday music played. After children created their ornaments, they enjoyed hot cocoa and a cookie as a group. I read aloud “The Mitten” folktale to the group. This rotation continued as more children arrived.

We made trail maps and park brochures available and explained the California State Park Adventure Pass and the California State Library Parks Pass programs. Parents positively commented on the State Parks programs. The Story Time and Crafting Party was a nice addition to busy families’ holiday events.

Cultural Resources Division Staff Visits Sierra District Colleagues at Empire Mine State Historic Park

Story from: Joanne McKenney, Cultural Resources Division

Cultural Resources and Sierra District staff pose for a group photo in front of the historic machine shop at Empire Mine State Historic Park. Photo from Nancy Jenner, Cultural Resources Division.

Sierra District welcomed the Cultural Resources Division (CRD) staff at Empire Mine State Historic Park (SHP) in Grass Valley on Dec. 13, 2023. This beautiful park encompasses many historic mine buildings, the Bourn Cottage complete with a reflecting pool, wide open lawns, a greenhouse and a rose garden. The Bourn Cottage and Empire Clubhouse were beautifully decorated for the holidays and brought the historic site alive. Sierra District cultural staff guided their CRD colleagues on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bourn Cottage, Empire Clubhouse, the rose garden and a stop at the Oyung Residence.

During the tour, Sierra District staff discussed some of their current projects, successes, challenges and needs. Some of their needs included striking a fine balance between preservation and public access, funds to repair damaged historic buildings and the need to tell more inclusive stories and preserve resources that illuminate the lives of workers and people of color at the historic site. These discussions will help CRD staff better understand and offer needed support to the district.

The visit ended with a holiday tamale lunch, hosted by the Museum Collections Team at Statewide Museum Collections Center, and provided a wonderful opportunity for colleagues to share ideas and suggestions across different program areas.

We would like to give a huge shout-out and thank you to the staff at Empire Mine SHP and the Sierra District cultural staff, including Alex Neeb, cultural resources program supervisor; Natalie Davenport, museum curator II; Scott Green, associate state archaeologist; Philip Pantages, museum technician; and Shiann Rios, management services technician. Thank you for the warm welcome, awesome tour and productive conversation. A very memorable day indeed!

Left: Alex Neeb introduces us to Empire Mine SHP and the Bourn family before a guided tour. The original buildings to the left housed the Assay Office, the Manager’s Office and the Engineer’s Office. Right: Natalie Davenport and Alex Neeb discuss the architecture of the Bourn Cottage. Photos from Nancy Jenner, Cultural Resources Division.

‘Holidays on the Northern Frontier’ Brings Winter Cheer to Sonoma State Historic Park

Story from: Carmen Vanni and Tyler Markley, Bay Area District

Top left: Luminaries line the sidewalk outside of Mission San Francisco. Top right: Lil' Sebastian … I mean Sundance the Christmas Mini-Horse greeted hundreds of guests at the Sonoma Barracks. Bottom right: People from near and far gather in the chapel of Mission San Francisco Solano to take part in a holiday sing-along. Bottom left: Park Interpretive Specialist Carmen Vanni practicing for her role in the chapel's sing-along by fine-tuning her performance from the pulpit. Photos from Peter Ostroskie, Bay Area District.

Sonoma State Historic Park (SHP) hosted its annual holiday event, Holidays on the Northern Frontier, on Dec. 9, 2023, to celebrate the winter season. The entire park was festively adorned with wreaths, lights and candles, creating a winter wonderland right here in Sonoma. The cheerful park staff and volunteers worked diligently to ensure a memorable night for all attendees.

At the San Francisco de Solano Mission, guests enjoyed one of three sold-out showings of classic Christmas carols performed by the Valley of the Moon Chamber Ensemble. Visitors joined in singing along with lit candles and witnessed park staff reciting holiday greetings from historic Sonoma County newspapers.

Nearby at the historic Sonoma Barracks, Santa Claus took a break from his busy schedule to distribute candy canes and take photos, while members of Sonoma Petaluma Parks (SPPARKS), our cooperating association, engaged visitors in holiday crafts.

Santa was not the only celebrity to visit Sonoma SHP. Sundance, the miniature pony, strolled through the park, meeting guests. Additionally, the 20th Maine Vol. Inf. Co. G, Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps Army of the Potomac Civil War reenactors set up a historic encampment in the courtyard. Our gift store was open, and docents offered complimentary treats and crafts to visitors.

At the Toscano Hotel, the popular Pickle Creek Band returned to serenade park visitors after a long night of walking. Docents and staff at the Blue Wing Inn provided treats, crafts and history tours. This building only opens for this event once a year, making it a special treat for visitors.

A big thank you to SPPARKS, our amazing park staff and Volunteers in Parks Program participants for making this event possible.

Mark your calendars: Only 348 days until the next Holidays on the Northern Frontier!

First-Time Holiday Festivities at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Story and photos from: Zuzana Volny, San Diego Coast District

Left: Senior Park Aide Laura Chaing stands ready to greet visitors at the Scavenger Hunt station. Right top: A child making a holiday card with Toyon leaves. Right bottom: Visitors gather around the craft station to make holiday cards.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (SNR) is open 365 days a year, making it a popular holiday destination for many visitors who come here with family and friends. In the past, Torrey Pines SNR did not host any holiday activities, but this year, we decided to sprinkle a bit of the holiday magic, giving our visitors an opportunity to grin, giggle and connect with nature in an educational, meaningful and fun way. Thus, the Torrey Pines Holiday Festivities 2023 were born.

From December 23 to Christmas Day, over 1,200 visitors jumped into our activities, including a scavenger hunt, children’s story time and a crafting station. The scavenger hunt encouraged kids to hike farther than ever before to snag a prize. Along the way, participants learned more about what makes Torrey Pines a unique and special place by cracking puzzles that shared interesting facts.

The California Toyon is also known as the "Christmas Berry," which turned out to be the perfect material for whipping up holiday cards, with its leaves being the star in some leaf rubbing art.

To cap it off, we rolled out story time sessions for the little ones twice each day, giving parents a little breather while their wide-eyed kiddos tuned in for captivating tales about native bees and a mouse on a Torrey Pines adventure.

These holiday activities were a team effort with several park staff and volunteers pouring their energy into making it all happen. The feedback? Oh, boy, it was heartwarming! Folks were downright joyous about entertaining their out-of-town pals and family. We are hoping to turn this into a staple for our annual events at Torrey Pines SNR, keeping the holiday cheer buzzing for our visitors year after year!

Left: Docent Cindy Wollaeger watches over kids making holiday cards. Right: Senior Park Aide Laura Chain proudly poses with the Crafting Station sign she painted.

Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.

NOW HIRING

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

Construction Supervisor II – Apply by Jan. 8, 2024: Use your project management skills to manage and coordinate numerous construction projects for buildings and other State Parks facilities. Click here for more information and click here to take the assessment. Construction Supervisor I may also be considered; click here for the assessment.

State Park Superintendent II (Peace Officer) – Apply by Jan. 12, 2024: With a negotiable reporting location, you will be working under the general direction of the State Park Superintendent III (Assistant Chief of Investigations) of the Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division and assigned to the Professional Standards Investigations Unit to investigate Internal Affairs investigations, civilian complaints, officer-involved shootings, unintentional discharges, Equal Employment Opportunity investigations, workplace violence and other miscellaneous investigations involving employee misconduct. Click here for more information. Click here to take the assessment.

Staff Services Analyst – Apply by Jan. 16, 2024: Reporting to the Office of Historic Preservation and under the direction of Cultural Resources Program Manager, you will be responsible for using your expertise in the practice of analysis and their communications skills to act as the preliminary point of contact and communication analyst for the Architectural Review and Environmental Compliance Unit for the State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program. Click here for more information. Click here to take the assessment.

State Historian – Apply by Jan. 22, 2024: Reporting to the Office of Historic Preservation and under the direction of Cultural Resources Program Manager, you will be responsible for using your expertise in the practice of public history and their knowledge of pertinent law and regulation to review and comment on, or prepare, documents that deal with cultural resources/historic property identification, evaluation and treatment and to recommend to customers of the Office of Historic Preservation management actions and regulatory steps that may assist in preserving or otherwise addressing historic properties. Click here for more information.

Maintenance Aides (Multiple opportunities) – Apply-by dates vary: No degree required. This is the perfect entry-level position to get started at State Parks. Perform various maintenance and housekeeping tasks necessary to ensure that public health and safety standards are maintained. The Maintenance Aide cleans all park structures and facilities, including offices, restrooms, kiosks, storage areas and shop buildings; restocks restroom supplies; picks up litter; and collects and disposes of garbage. Click here for more information. No assessment required.

State Park Interpreter I, II, III – Apply-by dates vary: There are many vacant positions located throughout the state that need someone to plan park events, report and maintain interpretive statistics, assist in training staff and volunteers in interpretive methods and techniques, and help with interpretive program oversight and planning, including school programs and tours. Click here for more information. Click here to take the assessment.  

EXAM SPOTLIGHTS

Aquatic Pest Control Series – Continuous (Feb. 1, 2024): 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.

Communications Operator – Continuous (Feb. 1, 2024): This is the entry, working and journey level for this series. Employees work under general supervision in a Communications Center, following established policies and procedures to perform a variety of duties. Duties include operating multifrequency/channel radio telephone systems and computer-aided transmitting and receiving equipment to receive calls from field units, telephones or other sources. 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.

State Park Peace Officer Cadet (Ranger or Lifeguard) – Continuous: Be a guardian of our state parks and help prevent criminal activity. Join us as a State Park Peace Officer Cadet and embark on a fulfilling law enforcement career. Click here for more information. Click here to apply.  

Park and Recreation Specialist – Continuous: This classification performs collection, evaluation, summarization and analysis of outdoor recreation data from a variety of sources to identify recreational trends; existing outdoor recreational facilities, needs and deficiencies; and preparation of a variety of written plans and reports, including recommendations to establish priorities. Click here for more information. 

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!

Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District Announces Pick for District Superintendent, Bill Maslach

Story from: Jason De Wall, Northern Field Division Chief

I am pleased to announce William “Bill” Maslach as superintendent of the Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District.  Preservation and stewardship of California’s open spaces has long been a personal passion for Bill. After a biology degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master’s in geography from California State University, Northridge, a job as an environmental services intern in the natural resources program at Malibu Creek State Park in 1994 gave Bill the foundation to later work as an environmental scientist in the Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District. Recently, as a senior park and recreation specialist, Bill has been managing the cultural, interpretation and education, and planning programs, as well as acting as a sector manager of the Russian River Sector. His 27-year career has been flavored with other jobs, including GIS analyst, environmental consultant, botanist, bartender, community college instructor in GIS and yoga instructor. Bill is looking forward to working with a growing team of dedicated park employees to strategically rebuilding our aging infrastructure, expanding our core programs, creating employee growth opportunities and, in light of financially lean times, doubling down on our commitment to our park partners. Outside of work, Bill takes the opportunity to cook up tasty meals from things he scavenges, hunts, and gathers; mountain bike; and read about local California history. Having been adopted at 3 months and recently submitted a DNA test, he can hardly get enough of researching the genealogy and ethnicity he never knew he had—and most of all, spending time with newly found family. Please join me in congratulating Bill Maslach as the Sonoma-Mendocino District superintendent.

Welcome, North Coast Redwoods District Deputy District Superintendent Shelana deSilva

Story from: Jason De Wall, Northern Field Division Chief

I am very happy to announce our new deputy district superintendent for the North Coast Redwoods District, Shelana deSilva.  Shelana comes to our team with a mix of public and private sector efforts. She has been working to protect natural and cultural resources and connect people to them through team managed stewardship for 15 years. Shelana’s focus on equitable public lands access, conservation-related policy and meaningful community engagement will enhance the district's efforts in these areas. Shelana’s background as a community organizer guides her collaborative approach to park operations. Her work includes project and program design, demonstrated in successes with her contributions to the development of Redwoods Rising, the California Landscape Stewardship Network, and several statewide and regional initiatives focused on equity and climate resilience. Shelana holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology, with a minor in gender studies from California State University, San Francisco (Go, Gators!), and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the California College of the Arts. Please join me in welcoming Shelana to both our district superintendent and State Parks Teams.

Cultural Resources Division Selects New Tribal Affairs Program Manager, Patricia Garcia

Story from: Leslie L. Hartzell, Cultural Resources Division

California State Parks’ Cultural Resources Division is excited to introduce Senior Park and Recreation Specialist Patricia Garcia, as the new Tribal Affairs Program Manager. Patricia’s leadership will guide key program initiatives to increase the number of agreements with California Native American tribes; expand the range of training opportunities for staff, park partners and tribes; and develop meaningful land acknowledgements and more accurate histories through consultation. With her direction, we also look forward to innovating processes and best practices for repatriating ancestral remains and their belongings under the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and state-level California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Patricia worked for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for the past 17 years. For the first two years, she was the Tribe’s archaeologist and was promoted to director of Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO). She also edited manuscripts, articles and published a book by Lowell Bean and published a second book, “8,000 Years: Unearthing the History of the Agua Caliente People at Séc-he,” on the archaeological excavation at the ancient mineral springs site known to the public as Palm Springs and to tribal members as Séc-he. She has extensive training in Native American Cultural Property Law, Federal Indian Law, cultural landscapes, Section 106, NAGPRA, Traditional Cultural Places, Senate Bill 18, Assembly Bill 53, Assembly Bill 275, Archaeological Resources Protection Act, National Environmental Policy Act, archaeological curation, collections management, preservation of tribal collections, collections management and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She is an experienced leader and provided training to all staff and provided cultural training to outside agencies. Leveraging the talents of the team, Patricia collaborated on building a project management database system, incorporating and improving on her original GIS database of heritage resources on the reservation and the traditional use areas. In recognition of this work, she received various awards, including a Governor’s Historic Preservation Award for the THPO GIS database, an award of recognition from the American Cultural Resources Management Association for the archaeological excavations at Séc-he and was elected to the board of directors for the Society for American Archaeology and the Society for California Archaeology. Additionally, in 2020, Patricia received the Award for Excellence in Cultural Resource Management from the Society for California Archaeology. These achievements demonstrate Patricia’s commitment to historic preservation, tribal values, heritage management, fostering healthy preservation partnerships and promoting equitable collaborations between archaeologists and Indigenous and affiliated communities. Throughout her career, she has worked on a variety of special projects, however, the common goal has been grounded in Indigenous archaeology, heritage preservation, equity, inclusivity and cultural sensitivity.

LIVE THE PARKS LIFE IN STYLE

Style time! Here are this week's tips to help spread the word about our departmentwide style guidelines:

• reexamine, reenvision, reenact: All one word, no hyphen.
• K-9: Hyphenate.
• bimonthly versus semimonthly: "Bimonthly" means occuring every two months; "semimonthly" refers to twice in one month. 

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. 

POSTCARDS

Auburn State Recreation Area

Auburn State Recreation Area hosted a winter solstice hike on Dec. 21, 2023, the shortest day of the year (in the northern hemisphere). More than 40 hikers joined us at the Olmstead Loop to celebrate the changing of seasons. The hike was led by volunteer Peggy Egli and Interpreter I Joseph Shanahan.

Photo from Gary Hughes, Gold Fields District

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

A little rain did not stop maintenance and visitor service employees from making some major improvements to the horse hitching posts in the park. Staff installed two new hitching posts at the park’s observation deck and campground.

Photos from Ismael Mariscal, Santa Cruz District

Providence Mountains State Recreation Area

Fox sparrows (Passerella iliaca) are seasonal visitors to the Providence Mountains. They are said to get their name from the reddish hue of their feathers, but their grubbing behavior in search of food is also quite vulpine. Click here or button above to view video about fox sparrows.

Video from Andrew Fitzpatrick, Inland Empire District

Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area

A northern harrier gliding over the reservoir.

Photo from Madison Collins, Diablo Range District

Bodie State Historic Park

Overnight frost covering the ghost town of Bodie on a cold morning.

Photo from Rick Lane, Capital District

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Left: Wild strawberry leaves next to a stick. Top right: One of my favorite parts of Green Valley Falls. Bottom right: A dead incense cedar with black oak leaves.

Photos from Michele Hernandez, Colorado Desert District

Lake Oroville State Recreation Area

Sailing into the holiday spirit with the lighted sailboat parade hosted by Chico Yacht Club.

Photos from Barbara "Barb" Guerra, Bidwell Canyon Marina

Benicia Capitol State Historic Park

Happy Holidays from Benicia Capitol State Historic Park!

Photo from Jessica Sears, Diablo Range District

Mount Tamalpais State Park

Gorgeous sunset colors in the sky and on the sea as seen from the Matt Davis Trail.

Photo from Hillary Colyer, Bay Area District

Mount Diablo State Park

Is the sky on fire or is that just fog? The storm rolled past the mountain just as the sun was setting, causing a dazzling light show.

Photo from Jessica Sears, Diablo Range District

Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area

Flash flood!

Photo from Bobby Scruggs, Great Basin District

Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area

Dusk patrols after the storm in Hungry Valley.

Photo from Bobby Scruggs, Great Basin District

Hendy Woods State Park

Big Hendy Grove in the day-use meadow.

Photo from Chris Townsend, Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District

Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

A patrol vehicle reflecting in a pool of water left from recent rains.

Photo from Travis Bjorndal, Orange Coast District

MacKerricher State Park

Spectacular light show on Christmas Eve.

Photo from Andrea Mapes, North Coast Redwoods District

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

The day after fresh snowfall.

Photo from Lillie Oravetz, Central Valley District

Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Here are some upcoming State Parks events. For a list of more upcoming events, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/events.

Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024

• Building Methods Living History Demonstration—Santa Cruz State Historic Park at 1 p.m.: 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the last remaining building of the Santa Cruz Mission, a structure built by the hands of Ohlone and Yokuts people under Spanish control. Join us to learn about building methods of the Indigenous people here before European arrivals and how this and other adobe buildings were constructed under Spanish domination. Visitors will get a chance to participate in a hands-on activity in demonstration of each building style and learn about how life changed for Native People at the mission. All living history demonstrations are free, no reservation required. For any questions, call (831) 425-5849 or email santacruzmission@ports-ca.us.
• Roving Naturalist in Borrego Palm Canyon—Anza-Borrego Desert State Park at 7 a.m.: A roving naturalist will be at the trailhead, roaming the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail, searching for bighorn sheep and other interesting features along the trail. This is not a guided hike.

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024

• King Tide Beach Walk—New Brighton State Beach at 3 p.m.: Join us for a 2-mile, 90-minutes round-trip adventure from New Brighton State Beach to Capitola. We will encounter interesting geological features in the coastal bluffs, 5-million-year-old whale fossils and tide pool creatures exposed by the low tide. Sign up at https://santacruzstateparks.as.me/schedule. All are welcome. Please wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and warm clothes, and bring a bottle of water and a flashlight. Rain and high waves cancel this event. For any questions, contact seacliff@ports-ca.us or call (831) 685-6444.

NEWS RELEASES

Dec. 19, 2023

• California State Parks Offers New Reservation Drawing Pilot Program for Cabins at Mount Tamalpais State Park

Dec. 28, 2023

• California State Parks Awards $41.9 Million in Grants to Create New Parks Across the State

Jan. 4, 2024

• Sonoma Developmental Center’s Open Space Lands Transferred to California State Parks

Jan. 5, 2024

• Division of Boating and Waterways Now Accepting Grant Applications for Shoreline Erosion Control and Public Beach Restoration Program

CORRECTIONS

In the Dec. 15, 2023, issue of the Weekly Digest, in the "Fallin' Back in Time" photo contest section, the photo by Kaylee Pinola had the incorrect park name. The photo was taken at Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park.

NEWS CLIPS

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.