Ocotillo Wells District Staff, Director Armando Quintero Visit California Natural Resources Agency’s Species Conservation Habitat Project at Salton Sea
Story from: Enrique Arroyo, Ocotillo Wells District
 At the boat launch ramp adjacent to the pump house. Left to right: California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) Public Affairs Officer Miguel Hernandez, Park Operations Assistant Deputy Director Adrien Contreras, Ocotillo Wells District Superintendent Enrique Arroyo, Desert Division Chief Greg Martin, CNRA Deputy Assistant Secretary Mario Llanos, Senior Environmental Scientist Sara Lockett, Ocotillo Wells District Administrative Chief Christine Fowlkes, Interpreter III Taylour Unzicker, Park and Recreation Specialist Eric Kung, Chief Ranger Andy Ahlberg and Interpreter I Cassandra Van Dyne. Photo from Ty Mull, consultant for the California Natural Resources Agency.
State Parks Director Armando Quintero and Ocotillo Wells District (OWD) staff recently met with California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) staff from the Salton Sea Management Program at their Salton Sea project site, the Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) Project, near the city of Westmorland.
I set up the meeting with CNRA staff in person, and Mario Llanos, CNRA deputy assistant secretary for the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP), provided OWD staff with a background to the agency’s various projects in construction and in planning at the Salton Sea. Some of these partner projects include the Desert Shores Restoration project, North Lake Pilot Demonstration Project, Vegetation Enhancement projects, Audubon Bombay Beach Wetland Restoration Project and the expansion of the SCH Project.
Following the background presentation, Miguel Hernandez, public affairs officer for the CNRA’s SSMP, joined Mario and both led OWD staff on a tour of the expansive 4,100-acre SCH Project on the sea’s southwestern edge. Weeks later, Director Quintero also visited the SCH Project site and was provided with a background presentation followed by a tour of the site.
The SCH Project is the CNRA’s first major habitat project at the Salton Sea and aims to provide critical habitat for birds and fish while also reducing dust emissions by covering the exposed lakebed with water. Other CNRA projects at the Salton Sea include the following:
- 400-acre Clubhouse restoration near Salton City
- 1,215-acre Tule Wash Project south of Salton City
- 560-acre Audubon Bombay Beach Wetland Enhancement Project
- 160-acre North Lake Pilot Demonstration Project
- 30-acre Desert Shores Channel Restoration Project
The CNRA is also leading ongoing community engagement efforts, including the Salton Sea Management Program and Community Needs Report, and the Salton Sea Community Needs and Recommended Actions Report. State Parks staff and CNRA staff see many potential avenues for collaboration at the Salton Sea.
For more information about the CNRA’s efforts in the Salton Sea, please see the newly released 2024 Salton Sea Management Program Annual Report.
 At the diversion structure near the New River. Left to right: Ocotillo Wells District Superintendent Enrique Arroyo, Director Armando Quintero, CNRA Deputy Assistant Secretary Mario Llanos and CNRA Public Affairs Officer Miguel Hernandez. Photo from Ty Mull, consultant for the California Natural Resources Agency.
Northern Coast Redwoods District Supports Local Youth With New After-School Pilot Program
Story and photos from: Erika Granadino, North Coast Redwoods District
 Interpreter I Erika Granadino presenting about redwoods to an after-school program in Eureka, California.
The North Coast Redwoods District recently got to work on launching a new spring pilot program to support local youth: the Parks After-School pilot program. The program, originally launched on Wednesday, March 6, is designed to bring the park experience directly to schools, bridging the gap between students and the great outdoors.
The district worked closely with the Humboldt County Office of Education’s (HCOE's) Expanded Learning program to coordinate after-school activities that foster an appreciation for nature. State Parks was able to serve over seven different after-school programs, reaching over 400 students countywide. We are happy to report that the program sessions quickly filled up for the months of March and April, and we look forward to continuing this effort with HCOE.
Students were immersed in the wonders of their local parks through diverse programs focusing on nature, wildlife and more. The presentation, designed in a campfire style, seamlessly blends education, entertainment and highlights the chance to become a certified California State Park Junior Ranger. These after-school adventures support access to parks and will inspire a new generation of environmental stewards.
 Left: Erika Granadino holds an animal pelt while presenting about nocturnal wildlife to an after-school program in Scotia, California. Right: Interpretive Senior Park Aide Mae Dismore answers questions from students at an after-school program in Rio Dell, California.
Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area Staff Design New Wrap for Trailer
Story from: Cheryl Ashton, Diablo Range District
 Clockwise from top left: The front of trailer shows the Hudner area of Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area used by recreational off-highway vehicles and four-wheel-drive vehicles. The back of trailer shows the newest area of the park, Mudstone Ranch, which is the "buffer zone," a nonmotorized area for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrian use. The left side of the trailer shows visitors enjoying the park, and the right side shows more outdoor activities available. Photos from Michelle Armijo, Diablo Range District.
After 12 years, the old wrap on the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) Interpretive Trailer began to fade and peel and was on the project list. Then our park was chosen for the California State Park Adventure Pass Program, and we were able to secure a grant from the California Outdoor Recreation Foundation and another from the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative for interpretive projects and supplies.
With funding for the wrap available, Park Interpretive Specialist Michelle Armijo and I designed a new wrap for the trailer. We enlisted State Parks Senior Photographer Brian Baer and used some great pictures he had taken from the park, as well as some of our staff photos from work.
We use this trailer for our outreach programs, parades and events in the park. The new wrap depicts all the outdoor activities available at Hollister Hills SVRA, including motorized and nonmotorized activities.
Ocotillo Wells District Administrative Team Participates in Imperial Valley Procurement and Resource Fair
Story and photo from: Christine Fowlkes, Ocotillo Wells District
 Left to right: Staff Services Analyst Karen Ingersoll, Administrative Chief Christine Fowlkes and Staff Services Analyst Raquel Gonzales.
The Ocotillo Wells District Administrative Team participated in the Imperial Valley Procurement and Resource Fair in El Centro on Thursday, March 21. Before the team had a chance to network with purchasers, APEX Accelerators and the Small Business Development Center provided presentations to the purchasers. These presentations provided vendors with information on how to conduct business with government agencies and what goods and contracts to procure for small businesses.
We are proud to have been able to offer the Imperial Valley various resources and procurement opportunities. A total of 115 vendors attended the event, and many showed a high level of interest in doing business with State Parks.
I would like to express my gratitude to my Administrative Team: Staff Services Analyst, Accounting, Karen Ingersoll and Staff Services Analyst, Contracts, Raquel Gonzalez for their hard work in making this event a success for Ocotillo Wells District. I am excited to participate in this event again next year.
Bay Area District Participates in North Bay Science Discovery Day
Story and photos by: Dave Duplantier, Bay Area District
 The State Parks team at their exhibit, from left to right: Park Interpretive Specialists Kathy Wolcott and Dave Duplantier, Ranger Cecilia Rejas, and State Park Recreation Specialist Peter Ostroskie.
State Parks Bay Area District participated in the 2024 North Bay Science Discovery Day in Sonoma County, a community science festival to spark children’s wonder and curiosity for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Over 75 exhibitors from various companies, organizations and agencies contributed to the event on March 9.
The State Parks team was kept busy all day; it consisted of State Park Recreation Specialist Peter Ostroskie, Ranger Cecilia Rejas, and Park Interpretive Specialists Kathy Wolcott and me. We also had information and the opportunity to talk to a few people about State Park careers.
The main goal of the festival was to inspire young people to pursue STEM education and careers by engaging them with hands-on STEM activities and to continue to work collaboratively with educators and employers, supporting the next generation’s interest and curiosity. The many organizations, agencies and companies are working together towards the goal of building of a global competitive workforce and increasing the regions and state’s economic vitality.
The State Parks display consisted of various wildlife found in our parks and open space areas. On display were replica skulls, pelts, antlers, synthetic snakes, and pictures of wildlife. It also included an authentic juvenile black bear skin as well as replica skull, paw molds and scat for attendees to study and appreciate. Peter led an exhibit that featured forestry and fire ecology tools and information. Ranger Cecilia displayed a live newt and tree frog along with an interactive board game and educational information about these little creatures. Kathy did an “All about Owls” exhibit, which included owl pellets and a taxidermy great horned owl.
Finally, each youth attendee received a State Parks sticker, baseball card picture of newts, and a small bag of polished natural stones to remember their experience at the exhibit. The estimated visitation to our State Park tables and exhibit exceeded 500 visitors.
 Visitors checking out nature at the State Parks exhibit.
  Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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