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 January 19, 2024
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 Providence Mountains State Recreation Area
View of the sunrise from the campground.
Photo from Kim Milruya, Communications and Marketing Division
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California State Parks’ Commissions Host First Workshops, Tours and Meetings for 2024
Story from: Kevin Murphy, Communications and Marketing Division
 California State Parks commissions meet in a variety of locations all over the state—indoors and out. Top left: Red Rock Canyon State Park, located where the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada converges with the El Paso Range. Top right: Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building in Sacramento. Bottom right: Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area in Rancho Cordova, California. Bottom left: San Moritz Lodge in Crestline, California. Photos from Brian Baer and Kevin Murphy, Communications and Marketing Division.
Have you ever attended the meetings, workshops or tours of any of the four California State Parks commissions? There are several opportunities coming your way soon.
State Parks is supported by four distinct commissions: California State Park and Recreation Commission, California Boating and Waterways Commission, California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Commission and State Historical Resources Commission. Commissions typically meet quarterly to provide guidance to department staff, review and approve plans, and assist State Parks in its mission to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California.
Commission meetings are typically held throughout the state and are often accompanied by public workshops and tours of nearby state parks units or other recreational facilities relevant to meetings. Agendas for meetings are available 10 days in advance of meetings.
Here is a list of upcoming meetings for each commission:
- The California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission will tour Hammertown during the King of Hammers Off-Highway Vehicle Race in Johnson Valley, California, beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31. The commission meeting will follow at the Courtyard by Marriott Victorville/Hesperia on Thursday, February 1, at 8:30 a.m.
- The State Historical Resources Commission will host a workshop at Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park in Sacramento at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 1. The commission meeting will follow at 9 a.m. on Friday, February 2, at the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building, also in Sacramento.
- The California Boating and Waterways Commission will meet in Modesto, California, on Thursday, February 8, at 9 a.m., at the DoubleTree by Hilton. A tour of selected recreational facilities will be held on Wednesday, February 7, starting at 10:30 a.m. at Dos Rios Ranch Preserve.
- The California State Park and Recreation Commission will meet in Santa Cruz, California, on Thursday, March 7. A tour of Big Basin Redwoods State Park will be hosted on Wednesday, March 6. Times and meeting locations will be announced closer to the tour and meeting dates.
Additional details, including future meeting dates and locations, may be found on each commission’s webpage or by viewing the department’s Public Notices. If you are unable to attend a meeting in person, you can always participate virtually. Links are included in meeting announcements. Advance registration is sometimes required so be sure to check the meeting announcement in advance for full details.
California State Parks supports equal access for visitors attending meetings in person. Visitors with disabilities who need assistance will find contact information on meeting announcements.
Adventure Pass Goes LIVE! to Explore Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Story from: Daniel Williford, Interpretation and Education Division
 Winter is a special time to visit the desert. Our latest Adventure Pass Exploration LIVE! monthly broadcast checks in on Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (SP) on Friday, January 26, at noon. This diverse landscape covers over 600,000 acres of desert and mountain wonderland. Rare native palm tree groves, seasonal waterfalls, meandering slot canyons and a subterranean visitor center are all on the list for a fourth grader and their family to virtually explore while adventuring in this unique state park.
Our broadcast also aims to educate fourth graders, their families and the public on the incredible California State Park Adventure Pass Program. These engaging virtual park visits can be viewed on the department’s Facebook page or the PORTS (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students)® Program’s Facebook page.
Take a moment to transport yourself on a worthwhile trip to Anza-Borrego Desert SP!
Click here to learn more about the California State Park Adventure Pass.
California State Park Adventure Pass Trailblazers at Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park
Story and photo from: Jennifer Hanson, Bay Area District
 Left to right: Micah, Liz, Corey and Nathan Poole pose for a photo at Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park.
Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park (SHP) recently opened its doors for the new year on Tuesday, January 2, marking the commencement of the park's inclusion in the fourth grade California State Park Adventure Pass Program.
Nathan Poole proudly holds the distinction of being our first fourth grader to possess the pass at the park. Let's take a moment to recognize the Poole family—true trailblazers of the Adventure Pass at Petaluma Adobe SHP. As the inaugural family to utilize the Adventure Pass in the park, they made history in this state historic park.
Visit the California State Park Adventure Pass webpage to learn more and to see a full list of the 54 participating state parks.
Carpentry Training Returns to Replace and Complete Visitor Center Roof at Portola Redwoods State Park
Story and photos from: Ricky Roldan, Training Section
 Standing (left to right): Kevin Stefani, Bryan Dugan, Michael Ruiz, Shane Boswell, Matthew McDonald, John Sachs and Ramon Flores. Kneeling (left to right): David Swaim, Craig Clark and Jonathan Lechuga. Not pictured: Samantha Ostrin, Greg Sumpter, Lucas Dickey and Lead Carpentry Instructor Joe Lechuga.
The Advanced Carpentry Skills Training Group 15 was on-site in Big Basin Redwoods and Portola Redwoods State Parks (SPs) in the Santa Cruz District in November 2023. The class was broken up into two groups of advanced carpentry projects. The first project, in the Saddle Mountain area of Big Basin Redwoods SP, was the completion of rebuilding and refurbishing the six to seven cabins for seasonal temporary housing. The second project was the replacement of the roof of Portola Redwoods SP's historic visitor center. However, the roofing project needed to be rescheduled due to a supply issue.
In December 2023, the Advanced Carpentry Skills Training Group 15B—a continuing-education group—was able to return to Portola Redwoods SP and complete the long-awaited roof completion. Santa Cruz District Maintenance Chief II Juan Villarino had presented the Training Section with the opportunity to bring their skilled training instructors to help train the Santa Cruz District staff on how to complete the task of replacing the leaking and damaged roof. The class first demolished and cleaned up the entire roof. The participants then replaced the roof with newly added tongue-and-groove boards, covered the top of the roof with felt and added new metal sheet roofing with hardware to the building’s structured roof, using Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety procedures and safety harnesses. The roof was completed by the Training Section’s Lead Advanced Carpentry Instructor Joe Lechuga with assistant instructors Jonathan Lechuga, Michael Ruiz, Ramon Flores, John Sachs and Brian Dugan. The Santa Cruz District staff employees consisted of Matt McDonald, Samantha Ostrin, Shane Boswell, Craig Clark, Kevin Stefani, David Swaim, Greg Sumpter and Lucus Dickey.
The Training Section and our instructors would like to thank and extend our gratitude to Maintenance Chief II Juan Villarino and Park Maintenance Supervisor (Acting) Ben Gonzalez from the Santa Cruz District for their hard work preparing and providing an opportunity for Training Section trainers to teach the Santa Cruz District staff employees advanced carpentry skills to help complete the roof of the Portola Redwoods SP's historic visitor center.
Please check your FOCUS Training Catalog for the Spring 2024 maintenance classes. Classes fill up quickly. If you have any questions, please send me an email at Ricky.Roldan@parks.ca.gov.
 Top left: Inside Portola Redwoods SP's historic visitor center, with the newly installed tongue-and-groove boards. Top right: Bryan Dugan securing the scaffold and in control of the Genie lift. Bottom left: Santa Cruz District Maintenance Seasonal employee Craig Clark and North Coast Redwoods District Park Maintenance Worker I Ramon Flores finish laying metal roofing. Bottom right: Completed historic visitor center metal roof from above.
  Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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To view current job openings within California State Parks, please visit our jobs webpage at www.LiveTheParksLife.com.
State Parks Job Spotlights and Open Exams
 JOB SPOTLIGHTS
Park and Recreation Specialist – Apply by Jan. 22, 2024: Reporting to Malibu Creek State Park and under the supervision of the Staff Park and Recreation Specialist, you will assist in managing the special event program in the Malibu Sector. This is a fast-paced, multifaceted position with required attention to detail. You will accept, review, invoice and approve special event permits for several types of events at multiple park locations, including the Adamson House Wedding Program. Additionally, you will assist with film shoots and coordinate with different park programs as well as park stakeholders. Click here for more information. Click here to take the assessment.
State Historian II – Apply by Jan. 22, 2024: Reporting to the Office of Historic Preservation and under the direction of the 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.
Senior Personnel Specialist – Apply by Feb. 5, 2024: Under the general direction of the Staff Services Manager I, you will function as the trainer for the Personnel Specialists in the Transactions Unit and will be responsible for providing training and expertise to the unit. Serving as a subject matter expert and assisting in the development and training for newly hired and veterans, you will continually provide current training information that will expand staff’s knowledge, skills and abilities to do their jobs effectively and efficiently. Click here for more information. Click here to take the assessment.
Deputy Director, Information Technology Services Division/Chief Information Officer – Apply by Feb. 7, 2024: You will be the highest level of IT authority within State Parks and have broad authorization for formulating and implementing IT policies and practices, which have significant impact on the department’s programs. You will be responsible for the development of the departmental IT strategic direction, technology operations, digital transformation initiatives, technology recovery plans and programs that support and align with the business goals and objectives of the department. 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 (Applications will be processed the first day of every month): 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!
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Style time! Here are this week's tips to help spread the word about our departmentwide style guidelines:
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Dates: Do not use ordinal numbers (e.g., January 3rd, December 4th, July 1st) for dates; use cardinal numbers instead (e.g., January 3, December 4, July 1).
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Exclamation point: OK to use to express a high degree of surprise, incredulity or other strong emotion; however, avoid overuse and repetition, and end mildly exclamatory sentences with a period.
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intranet: Lowercase.
Keeping a consistent writing style ensures the Weekly Digest looks and sounds its best. Each week, the Communications and Marketing Division reviews submitted articles for proper grammar and punctuation and style consistency––from capitalization and hyphenation to proper acronyms and active/passive voice usage. In general, we follow the Associated Press style and Merriam-Webster, but at times we use our own department-specific style.
We always welcome your feedback on how to “Live the Parks Life” in (writing) style. Connect with us via email at weeklydigest@parks.ca.gov.
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 Cal Expo, in Sacramento
At the International Sportsmen’s Exposition on Thursday, January 18, State Parks had a recruitment booth, staffed by many and visited by many. Left to right: Sarah Veliz and Devin Swartwood (both of Gold Fields District), Jose Hernandez from the Recruiting Office and State Park Peace Officer (Ranger) Dan Kendall from the Central Valley District.
The Recruitment Office, joined by several field staff and divisions, helped greet visitors, answered questions and provided interpretive and recruiting information. Division of Boating and Waterways staff also provided information about aquatic invasive species. The Exposition runs today through Sunday, January 21.
Photo from Scott Elliott, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 Sue-meg State Park
Park Maintenance Worker I Janette Parsons mops up a burn pile after sunset, with lighting effects provided by Supervising State Park Peace Officer Kevin Cather.
Photo from Lisa Davison, North Coast Redwoods District
 Providence Mountains State Recreation Area
Park Aide Joseph William Dahlin gave an outstanding tour of Mitchell Caverns and somehow even arranged for an amazing sunrise at the campground as well!
Photos from Kim Milruya, Communications and Marketing Division
 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
A sunrise view from one of my favorite overlooks of the desert.
Photo from Michele Hernandez, Colorado Desert District
 Huntington State Beach
A wind event groomed undulatory structures into the sand berm to near perfection, with Catalina Island backlit by the sun in the horizon and perpendicular cirrostratus clouds in a sapphire sky. A beautiful day at Huntington.
Photo from Carl L. Ulrich, Orange Coast District
 Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Breakfast accompanied by an early morning sunrise over Folsom Lake after opening up the gates.
Photo from William Skarr, Gold Fields District
 Hendy Woods State Park
The sun finally appears through the trees on a rainy morning in the woods.
Photo from Doug Johnson, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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Here are some upcoming State Parks events. For a list of more upcoming events, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/events.
Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024
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Guided Hike: Watery Winter Wonderland—Mount Tamalpais State Park at 9 a.m.: Join State Park Interpreter Hillary Colyer on a forest adventure, taking trails rich with rainy season fungi and lively with streams flowing under bridges. Meeting location is the Bootjack parking lot. The hike is a moderate to slightly strenuous loop traversing Bootjack Trail, Troop 80 Trail, Alice Eastwood Road, Hogback Fire Road and Matt Davis Trail. Total distance is about 5 miles, with about 800 feet of elevation change (the difference between the highest and lowest points on the route is less than 700 feet, but there are some additional slight ups and downs between these points). With break time, this activity should finish around 1 p.m.
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Public Hike—Trione-Annadel State Park at 10 a.m.: Join us for our monthly public hikes. Our January hike will start at the Warren Richardson parking lot at 10 a.m. We will be hiking up Warren Richardson Trail and going down Steve “S” Trail for a total of 2.5 miles. Along the way, we will stop to look at and discuss local plants and animals. There is no need to sign up or RSVP, but please bring hiking clothes/shoes, snacks, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024
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Public Hike—Morning Wellness: Cardio/Strength—Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park (SHP) at 9 a.m.: Let’s hit that start button on your fitness journey at this morning wellness session with Senior Park Aide Leenna Keo. Participants will meet at Folsom Powerhouse SHP visitor center conference room where the morning wellness session will take place. This session will last between 45 and 60 minutes, with moves demonstrated for each round, including modifications. The workout will be challenging for all levels, but it will be fun and rewarding. This session will focus on cardio and weighted power moves. Participants will need to bring a mat or towel, a set of light-to-medium weights and plenty of water. RSVP is recommended since space in the conference room is limited. When you RSVP, please provide the number of people in your party. For RSVP, questions or concerns, please contact folsomlake@ports-ca.us.
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The Weekly Digest includes a collection of news articles related to the
California Department of Parks and Recreation. The views expressed and opinions do not always reflect that of the department.
To view this week's News Clips, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/NewsClips.
 Weekly Digest Article and Photo Submissions
If you have an article or photo you would like to submit for the Weekly Digest, please send your entries via email to WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
For an article submission, please include:
- Author’s name and division/district.
- All relevant information (e.g., headline, park name, dates, name of event, individuals’ full names and titles, etc.).
Articles should be no longer than 300 words.
For photos, please include:
- Photo credit info and captions.
- Photo release forms should be kept on file for non-employees or volunteers.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos included in the Weekly Digest are courtesy of the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
The deadline for Weekly Digest submissions is close of business Thursday. For more information, email WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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