May 17, 2024

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Red Rock Canyon State Park

The aurora borealis in the sky on Friday, May 10.

Photo from Alexia Svejda, Great Basin District volunteer

WHAT'S NEW

What3Words Offers Staff New Way to Help Visitors Explore State Parks

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

what3words divided the world into 3 meter squares and gave each square a unique combination of three words.

As outdoor enthusiasts prepare for their spring and summer outdoor adventures, California State Parks is reminding the public about an important tool that can be helpful in emergencies. Last year, the department began using the innovative location technology what3words. A new tool for State Parks, what3words provides dispatchers with technology to assist visitors in the event they become lost, stranded, or who otherwise need help from emergency services.

The what3words app makes it really easy to talk about precise locations. It has divided the world into a grid of 10-foot squares and given each square a unique combination of three random words: a what3words address. For example, ///tools.melted.studs takes you to the exact entrance to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park’s campground.

Using this revolutionary technology, State Parks’ dispatchers will now be able to pinpoint the precise locations of individuals who become lost with just three dictionary words, so that help can be sent quickly to exactly where it is needed.

The what3words technology can also be used for non-emergencies, like giving friends and family directions to a specific campsite or sharing beautiful viewpoints. Being able to precisely communicate where to find key locations can make navigating through the vast parks simple and stress-free, allowing visitors to make the best use of their time and enjoy the experience to the fullest.

We recommend park staff to get familiar with, use, and promote this new technology. To help each park inform visitors about this new tool and how to use it, we have created an explainer graphic and templates that can be customized.

Each asset can be found on SharePoint here: what3words

ADVENTURE OF THE MONTH

Visiting California’s Oldest Chinese Temple at Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park

Story from:  Andreas Agocs, Communication and Marketing Division

The interior of the Cloud Forest Temple is rich in details and symbolism, including banners of Chinese associations (left), the altar for ancestor worship in the center, and the drum and Cloud Gong (right). Photo from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division.

For the Chinese gold miners who came to Trinity County during the gold rush, keeping their rituals alive and worshipping their ancestors in the remote northern California region proved challenging. Two Chinese temples were built in the community of Weaverville in 1853 and 1873 but fell victim to fires. The third attempt, completed in 1874, has survived almost unchanged and just celebrated its 150th anniversary at Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park (SHP). The Joss House—a corruption of the Portuguese word for god, deus—is the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in the U.S. and a perfect place to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Historical Monument Guide Jack Frost explained the site’s rich symbolism, which begins with its blue-painted front façade; blue, the color of the sky, symbolizes heaven, while the green color of the grass outside stands for good health and longevity. Other important colors that pervade the temple are red—symbolizing good luck—and gold, the color of prosperity. Golden Chinese characters on a red banner across the entrance spell out the temple’s Chinese name, which translates to “Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds.”

Chinese immigrants planted some of the black locust trees outside as “guardian soldiers” that trap evil spirits. On the roof, two wooden Chow Win Dragon Fish protect the temple from fire. Like in many traditional Chinese houses, a threshold is designed to keep evil spirits from entering the building. “Evil is extremely lazy,” explained Jack, summarizing Chinese folk beliefs. With multiple protections and no windows, Chinese immigrants “created a space that is never disturbed by the outside world.”

Entering the richly detailed interior, visitors are greeted by carved golden bats, painted Fu dogs, and peacock feathers representing the all-seeing eyes of ancestors. Other features indicate the temple’s role as a center of Chinese community life. The walls display banners representing the five associations (tongs) of Chinese miners, and faded paper strips with Chinese characters denote the names and donations of the local businesses who contributed to the temple’s upkeep.

The Joss House is usually described as a Taoist temple, but its artifacts and symbols incorporate a range of Asian traditions, including Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and older folk beliefs. The emphasis is not on exclusion but on harmony between yin (the female, dark, and passive principle) and yang, the male, light, and active force. Dragon (yang) and phoenix (yin), intertwine on a large drum, while the Cloud Gong underneath is decorated with the characters for moon (yin) and sun (yang). At the temple’s center are the altar and small wooden table used to burn incense and offer food and plum wine in the ancestors’ honor. “Ancestors are hungry to be remembered,” said Jack. “Forgotten ancestors become hungry ghosts.”

The wooden canopies, or “spirit houses,” at the temple’s back wall contain the clay statues of 13 lamas or saintly figures, with Confucian learned men in the center panel. The left canopy features the mythological emperor Beidi and his general Guan Yu (traditionally depicted with a red face). On the right side, the yin principle is represented by Kwan Yin (or Guanyin), a traditional Chinese goddess of compassion, and Mazu, the popular sea goddess, who provides protection to sailors as well as travelers, migrants, and, as I hope on the curvy and rainy drive through the Trinity Alps, State Parks research writers.

The Cloud Forest Temple is a unique cultural resource in California’s State Park System, and one of very few remaining in the U.S or even in modern China, where many such temples have been destroyed during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s. With the shrinking of the Chinese community in Weaverville, the future of the Joss House was uncertain until the temple became a state park in 1956, largely through the efforts of local Chinese American businessman Moon Lee Lim. Other than installing protective railing and electricity, State Parks kept the temple unchanged. The Monument Fire of 2021 threatened the temple’s destruction and led to the evacuation of its treasures. “It took State Parks cultural resources staff three days to evacuate but six weeks to put it all back,” said Northern Buttes District Museum Curator Ursula Filice.

Today, the temple is still used by 21 families in the Weaverville area, and many Chinese American dignitaries from all over California visited for the 150th Anniversary celebration on April 13. They left Weaverville Joss House SHP assured that the Cloud Forest Temple—and the remembrance of the Chinese miners’ ancestors—are well taken care of.

Top: The Cloud Forest Temple's gabled roof is decorated with carved dragon fish, providing protection by combining the elements of fire of water. Photo from Andreas Agocs, Communications and Marketing Division. Bottom left: The temple's altar table with traditional food offerings and incense candles. Bottom right: The boarding room for the temple attendant and travelers. Photos from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division. 

Left: The drum and Cloud Gong are decorated with symbols and characters expressing the concepts of yin and yang. Top right: Paper strips with the names of donors to the temple. In some cases the strips were used to cover up competing businesses. Photos from Brian Baer. Bottom right: Mazu (left), the sea goddess, and Kwan Lin (right), goddess of compassion, are among the clay figures that offer solace and protection in the temple's "spirit houses."  Photo from Andreas Agocs.

Guardians of the temple, from left to right: Historical Monument Guide Jack Frost, Museum Curator Ursula Filice, Park Aide Dayton Roderick. Photo from Brian Baer. 

FIELD REPORT

Big Basin Redwoods Update: Summer Access by Shuttle and Bus, Additional Trail Access, Planning for Rebuilding

Story and photos from: Will Fourt, Santa Cruz District

Top left: The new interim parking area, where a new pilot shuttle program can pick up visitors going to Big Basin Redwoods SP. Top right: Site of the former Administration Building and Auto Tree at Big Basin Redwoods SP. Bottom left: Hihn Hammond Fire Road to Mount McAbee Overlook trail is currently open. Bottom right: A view of redwood regrowth inside Big Basin Redwoods SP. Photos from Will Fourt, Santa Cruz District.

In the aftermath of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, which burned 97% of Big Basin Redwoods State Park (SP) in 2020, there are many years of recovery and rebuilding ahead of us. In the past year, Santa Cruz District and other State Parks staff, along with several partners, have continued to work to reopen parts of the park toward increasing access and toward planning to rebuild permanent facilities, according to the Reimagining Big Basin Vision Summary from 2022.

Starting this summer, there will be additional ways to access the park. A pilot shuttle program will operate on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends: May 25, 2024 - September 2, 2024. The shuttle will run from a new shuttle parking area at the future Saddle Mountain Welcome Area, about 3 miles from the main day-use area in the heart of old-growth redwood forest. In addition, Santa Cruz METRO is increasing bus service to the park, including five trips per day on spring and summer weekends, offering free access to the park from Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. The day-use parking reservation system continues and has been updated to increase capacity through an increase in the number of reservations and by reserving a limited number of spaces for first-come, first-served parking access.

Since reopening in July 2022, over 88,000 visitors have been to Big Basin Redwoods SP. Trail and fire road access has been expanded as well, including the opening of the Redwood Loop Connector Trail, which allows Hihn Hammond Fire Road to open to McAbee Lookout with views to the Pacific Ocean. Currently, about 5 miles of trails are open to hiking and about 26 miles of fire roads are open to hiking and biking.

District staff and consultants are currently working on preparation of the Facilities Management Plan, which will include more specific planned recreation facilities to be rebuilt in each area of the park. The Cornerstone Document for Big Basin was approved in October 2023 and is the first Cornerstone completed for the California State Park System.

Read the full press release here.

Caring for Candlestick State Recreation Area Mobilizes the Community

Story from: Lisa Whitmer, Bay Area District

Lots of folks came out to lend a hand for Caring for Candlestick. Left to Right: Deputy District Superintendent Matthew Allen, California State Parks Director Armando Quintero, California State Parks Foundation Executive Director Rachel Norton, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Community Engagement Specialist Lisa Whitmer, Superintendent Mowrey’s mom Alicia Azumbra, Interpreter II Nicholas Fowlks, and Bay Area District Superintendent Maria Mowrey. Photo from Randy Widera, California State Parks Foundation.

Community members, local organizations, city officials, State Parks staff, and notables including San Francisco Mayor London Breed and State Parks Director Armando Quintero came together on Saturday, May 11, for Caring for Candlestick, a volunteer day focused on beautifying the city streets around Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (SRA). Participants cleaned up trash, planted native plants provided by Literacy for Environmental Justice, and painted a mural designed by San Francisco artist Mark Harris, featuring a bright row of poppies that beckon visitors toward the park entrance.

The project is the brainchild of California State Parks Foundation Executive Director Rachel Norton and San Francisco’s Director of Commissions and Community Relations Tyra Fennell in partnership with the 10 Carat Community Alliance, Caring for Candlestick engendered a spirit of collaboration among the many people who love the park. The event was co-organized by Candlestick SRA staff and many women from the San Francisco chapter of The Links Incorporated, an international volunteer organization focused on enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic security of African Americans and other people of African ancestry.

Often referred to as a hidden gem, Candlestick Point SRA is located in Bayview, a historically under-resourced, mixed industrial/residential San Francisco neighborhood that is plagued by illegal dumping and stormwater flooding. To address some of these issues, Caring for Candlestick organizers also mobilized City agencies to pump out longstanding stormwater on nearby Hunters Point Expressway, create safe access to the park for pedestrians, and repaint and repave nearby streets in the leadup to the event.

Candlestick SRA staff and the Bayview community are grateful for the volunteers who made the park’s entrance safer and more welcoming, as well as for the relationships that were strengthened in the process.

K-rail was moved to allow pedestrians safe access to Candlestick Point, then brightly painted by San Francisco artist Mark Harris. Photo from Lisa Whitmer, Bay Area District.

Adventure Pass Exploration LIVE! goes to La Purísima Mission State Historic Park

Story from: Daniel Williford, Interpretation and Education Division

The next Adventure Pass Exploration LIVE! broadcast takes you to La Purísima Mission State Historic Park (SHP). Tune in at noon on Friday, May 24, to experience a history-rich and adventure-filled park located in the coastal hills of Santa Barbara County. La Purísima Mission SHP provides plentiful opportunities for Adventure Pass users and their families to explore, learn, and enjoy this unique state park.

Not only does history come alive here at the most completely restored mission in the state but there are also great opportunities for recreation. La Purísima Mission is restored to the 1820s Mission Era and presents an excellent opportunity to hike, picnic, and observe wildlife, as well as a chance to explore California's heritage. Cultural sites, historical buildings, and a visitor center also await your discovery.

In partnership with the First Partner’s Office and the California Natural Resources Agency, State Parks offers the California State Park Adventure Pass, providing free day-use entry for California fourth graders and their families to 54 amazing state parks throughout the state. La Purisima Mission SHP is one of the newly added parks of the Adventure Pass Program. The program recently expanded from 19 to 54 parks, to provide even more free park access to fourth graders and their families.  

Our engaging monthly broadcast is aimed to educate fourth graders, their families, and the general public about this notable program. These informative virtual park visits can be viewed on either the State Parks Facebook page or the PORTS® (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students) Program Facebook and YouTube pages.

Summer is right around the corner, making this a great time for every California fourth grader and their family to explore California state parks with this fantastic free program. The Adventure Pass is valid for this year’s fourth graders until Aug. 31, 2024.

Please join us for this fun-filled Adventure Pass Exploration LIVE! at La Purísima Mission State Park!

To learn more about the Adventure Pass, go to California State Parks Adventure Pass.

Angeles District Staff Tours Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing

Story and photos from: Angeles District

Angeles district staff (top left) on tour of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, which will provide a sustainable passage for wildlife across U.S. Highway 101.

Staff from the Angeles District participated in a guided hike of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing on May 9, 2024. The project aims to develop a vegetated bridge across U.S. Highway 101 and will be the largest wildlife crossing of its type in the nation.

The crossing is a critical linkage between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Sierra Madre Range. Preserving and enhancing this linkage will create a safe and sustainable passage for wildlife that reduces wildlife-vehicle collisions and wildlife mortality, and will allow for the safe movement of animals and the exchange of genetic material for wildlife survival.

Project construction began in mid-2022 and is expected to be completed in early 2026. The total length of the bridge will be about 210 feet and about 174 feet wide, or enough to accommodate five lanes of traffic in both directions if the bridge were designed for vehicles. The crossing will only be open to wildlife upon opening.

The tour was provided by members of the National Park Service, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy/Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, the National Wildlife Federation, local elected officials, and other key stakeholders.

Sonoma State Historic Park Celebrates Annual Children’s Day

Story and photos from: Tyler Markley, Bay Area District

Clockwise from upper left corner: Park volunteers Skye Bailey and Sonoma Sam. Items from our nature journaling table. Sonoma Barracks. Skye Bailey with a cornhusk doll. Interior chapel of our Minecraft Mission. Park Interpretive Specialist Carmen Vanni showing a guest how to navigate the mission. Homemade sign for Mission Minecraft created by park staff. Yvonne B. and Suzanne B. of SPParks welcoming visitors. Center image: Children's Day sign created by park staff.

Sonoma State Historic Park (SHP) celebrated its annual Children's Day event inside the Sonoma Barracks earlier this month. Despite the stormy weather, staff and volunteers eagerly filled the barracks, transforming it into a colorful hub of creativity and learning for visitors of all ages.

Throughout the day, guests had the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, including crafting cornhusk dolls, learning about the Bear Flag Revolt while creating their own flags, exploring nature journaling, enjoying complimentary drinks and snacks, and crafting historic button toys. The highlight of the event was a hands-on demonstration of our Mission Minecraft project, which captivated both children and adults alike with its innovative approach to history education.

Despite the challenges posed by the weather, the event saw a remarkable turnout. This success would not have been possible without the generous support of our cooperating association, Sonoma Petaluma Parks (SPParks), whose contributions help fund events like Children's Day.

A special note of gratitude goes out to the dedicated State Parks staff and volunteers who devoted their Saturday to ensuring the success of this event. Their hard work and commitment to preserving and sharing our local heritage are truly commendable.

We are excited to host Children’s Day again next year and are already working on fun new ways to celebrate!

Sierra District Staff Plants 2,000 Sugar Pine Saplings at Burton Creek State Park

Story from: Camden Dahms, Sierra District

From left to right: Senior Park Aide Will Hamann with shovel over shoulder and a bag of sugar pine saplings in hand. Forestry Aide Nicole Owens holding one of the 2,000 sugar pine saplings that were planted on this beautiful spring day. Skilled Laborer Adrian Lemke selecting a sapling from the bag to go in this perfect location. A sugar pine baby just having been planted getting acquainted with its forever home. Photos from Kaytlen Jackson, Sierra District.

If you have visited the Lake Tahoe Basin recently, you have seen the pristinely clear waters, the amazing biodiversity, and the numerous recreational opportunities. But you may have also seen something less appealing—dead or dying trees. After over a century of fire suppression, heavy logging, and disease, a tree that has historically made up 25% of Tahoe’s forests has had its population diminished to less than 5%.

On May 3, the Sierra District natural resources team got to work planting 2,000 Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana) saplings at Burton Creek State Park on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. The saplings were planted across 80 acres that had been previously burned by the Fire Management Crew between 2019 and 2023.

The saplings come from trees that are not genetically modified, but rather have genes that make them naturally more resilient against the white pine blister rust. This non-native fungus kills white pines as well as gooseberries and currants. Blister rust kills young trees easily, with only 3-5% of sugar pines being resilient to it.

The day was a true team effort as staff from many different disciplines from within the Sierra District contributed to the planting of these 2,000 baby sugar pines. Forestry aides, park aides, and California Conservation Corps interns were involved. Hands were dirtied, beef jerky was shared, and smiles were exchanged during the day’s rewarding work.

The goal is to have these trees grow into big healthy adults that will both protect and provide for the forest and those that call it home. Although we will not see these trees grow to full maturity in our lifetime, according to an old Greek proverb “a society grows great when old [folks] plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” That is what the day was about—contributing to a healthier and more diverse planet that future generations will get to enjoy, just as we have.

PARTNER NEWS

Building Literacy at Candlestick State Recreation Area, California’s First Urban State Park

Story from: Elizabeth Kirbey, Parks California

Author Carmen Bogan at the Candlestick SRA StoryWalk event. Photo from Parks California.

California State Parks and Parks California recently held a literacy gathering with author Carmen Bogan at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (SRA) to commemorate the opening of Tasha’s Voice—a StoryWalk installation. Children had the opportunity to enjoy various activities, including listening to Carmen read her new book, participating in a scavenger hunt to identify plants and animals in the park, and connecting with local community partners such as the San Francisco Public Library, California Academy of Sciences, and Tree Frog Treks. Local residents, families and students from nearby Bret Harte Elementary School joined in the event.

Learn more about the StoryWalk and how reading and getting outside can benefit young people here.

Visiting the Bay Area soon and want to experience this special installation? Tasha’s Voice StoryWalk will be on display at Candlestick Point SRA until the end of October 2024 to help parkgoers foster a deeper connection with nature, learning, and exploration.

Author Carmen Bogan with young participants at the Candlestick SRA StoryWalk. Photo from Parks California.

Arts in California Parks Events Continue

Story from: Marissa Duenas, Placeworks

Explore the dynamic synergy of culture, art, and nature with Arts in California Parks! This initiative champions artists, culture bearers, California Native American tribes, and communities, fostering the creation of thought-provoking artwork that illuminates our history and present while sparking imagination for our future. Dive into upcoming events and engage with art in your state parks!

Upcoming Events

May 18, 2024 – Growing Together Day  at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area

Growing Together Day is a free event that celebrates the power of art, community, and nature. This family-friendly event invites participants to help Joe Colmenares, a renowned San Francisco artist, paint a community mural. The festival will also feature a DJ, the SF Public library book mobile, and activities hosted by local nonprofits, guided walks in the park, food trucks, as well as live music and performances. Click here to learn more.

May 21, 2024 – Pond Farm Pottery Artist in Residence Program Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

In the month of May, visit Pond Farm Artist in Residence Sue Ellen McCann, who is a painter, printmaker, and fiber arts artist working with oils and watercolor paints, as well as pencil, ink, and natural dye. On May 21, 2024, McCann will host a sold-out public workshop about natural dyes. If you were not able to get a ticket, click here to learn more about Sue Ellen McCann’s art.

The Artist in Residence Program at Pond Farm Pottery invites artists from historically underserved communities to live and work on-site, engaging with visitors and the community. Click here to learn more about the program, including a list of upcoming residencies in June, July, August, and September.

For more information on other upcoming Arts in California Parks events, click here.

Participants painting a mural at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area during the 2023 Growing Together Day. Photo from Parks California.

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

District Maintenance Mechanic – Apply by May 17, 2024: The Maintenance Mechanic performs a vital role by inspecting and making repairs on all park systems within the Inland Empire District. The position will work throughout the district and will perform miscellaneous skilled work to include minor building construction, general maintenance, and other related work. Click here for more information and to apply.

Staff Park and Recreation Specialist – Apply by May 17, 2024: In this exciting role as an Operations Manager, you will manage the protection of the sector's cultural and natural resources, real property, and programs to meet the department’s objective of providing quality service and experiences to the public. Click here for more information. Click here for the assessment.

Museum Curator I – Apply by May 21, 2024: The Museum Curator I will be responsible for assisting with the safekeeping and management of the district's museum and archival collections. The position oversees and maintains a program of effective collections stewardship that involves directing work related to archive and artifact conservation and preservation, and other related duties. Click here for more information and to apply.

Park Maintenance Supervisor – Apply by May 21, 2024: As a Park Maintenance Supervisor you will supervise, plan, and direct the daily operations of the district equipment program and facility maintenance program for Henry Cowell Redwoods SP. Click here for more information and to apply.

Water and Sewage Plant Supervisor – Apply by June 14, 2024: Located in the Beautiful Big Sur Sector, this position manages the daily monitoring and testing of the water systems, all reporting to the State Water Resources Control Board, equipment management, and related functions. This position provides leadership, training, and employee development opportunities to staff. Click here for more information and to apply.

EXAM SPOTLIGHTS

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. Click here for more information.

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. 

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.

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!

LIVE THE PARKS LIFE IN STYLE

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

• aurora borealis, northern lights: Both are lowercase. 
• sea star: Two words. The term “starfish” is gradually being replaced by “sea star” since it is not a fish.
• on-site: Hyphenate.

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

Inland Empire District

Sergeant Matthew Williams of the Mojave Sector represented California State Parks at the local Hometown Heroes event at Baldy Mesa Elementary School. Volunteers (and future rangers) Dylan and Peter Williams helped to hand out stickers and talk about how cool their dad is.

Photo from Matthew Williams, Inland Empire District

Emma Wood State Beach

This photo was taken on the nature trail next to the Ventura River, near Emma Wood Group Camp. There were dozens of pelicans that took flight as State Park Peace Officer David Elias and I passed by.

Photo from Chelsea Dulaney, Channel Coast District

Torrey Pines State Beach

A California grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) on the beach during a recent spawning run. In spring and summer during the full and new moons, grunion will leave the water to spawn and lay their eggs on the beach. More information about grunion can be found on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's page: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Grunion.

Photo from Aly Velloze, Southern Service Center

Morro Bay State Park

We caught up with a sun spider at one of our facilities at the Morro Bay Campgrounds. They can move up to 9 mph!

Photo from Kevin Murphy, San Luis Obispo Coast District

Sue-meg State Park

Low tide reveals an ochre sea star clinging to the rocks at Agate Beach.

Photo from John Zwick, North Coast Redwoods District

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

An eastern prickly pear cactus is blooming.

Photo from Steven Ptomey, Great Basin District

Castle Crags State Park

A heart-shaped cloud over the landscape.

Photo from Maddy Robertson, Northern Buttes District

Lake Oroville State Recreation Area

 A crazy hail storm covered the roads at the Bidwell Canyon kiosk and boat ramp.  

Photos from Noah Brann, Northern Buttes District

Old Sacramento State Historic Park

 I was walking to the office one morning and I saw this adorable Canada Goose couple nibbling on their breakfast in the 1849 scene. They, along with the barking seals, are some of the local wildlife that add color and charm to Old Sacramento.

Photo from Wendy Sanchez, Capital District

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

  I took these at Browns Ravine on Folsom Lake on Friday, May 10, between 10:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. It was amazing to see the beams of light and varying colors—magenta, purple, and lime green.

Photo from Nicole Barden, Gold Fields District

Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park

Sunset and the aurora borealis over the park.

Photos from Rick Lane, Capital District

Ocotillo Wells SVRA

Another beautiful day at the park.

Photo from Eric Kung, Ocotillo Wells 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, May 18, 2024

• Allensworth May Festival—Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park at 10 a.m.: This Friends of Allensworth event provides a great family festival atmosphere with education, entertainment, music, food and special activities for children until 4 p.m.
• Santa Cruz County History Fair—Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park at noon: The annual Santa Cruz County History Fair will be hosted by the Santa Cruz Mission SHP from noon to 5pm. We will be joined by organizations, individuals, and museums from around the county to bring local history to our community. Connect with local historians, discover stories of neighborhoods and residents, investigate genealogical resources, and complete the Passport to the Past scavenger hunt. Free admission for all ages. Sponsored by State Parks, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, and the Capitola Historical Museum. For questions or concerns email us santacruzmission@ports-ca.us or call (831) 425-5849.

Friday, May 24, 2024

• Park Workday: Fuel Reduction Workday—Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park at 10 a.m.: On Fuel Reduction Workday, we manually clear fallen debris in select areas of the Redwood Grove, and by doing so, reduce the fuel load and restore old-growth habitat. Park staff will facilitate organizing this debris into brush piles. Participants should be prepared to help with a fair deal of manual labor. This workday will meet in front of the Visitor Center. If possible, please bring work gloves. State Parks offers a limited supply.

Also note this upcoming CNRA-sponsored event celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month:

Sunday, May 19, 2024

• Community Volunteer Day—Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park at 9 a.m.: Celebrate AAPI Month with us on a wildfire resiliency project to protect significant cultural resources at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Community volunteers will work with on-site State Parks staff clearing vegetation and placing a fire-resistant border surrounding the Wah Hop and Man Lee historical buildings. When: Volunteer rotations begin from 9 a.m.-noon or 10:30 a.m.-noon. Guided tour of Gam Saan hike or Gold Discovery Museum visit at 12:30 p.m. Where: 310 Back Street, Coloma, CA 95613. Registration and details: https://x.gldn.io/e/avfquNVDUIb.

THANK YOU NOTES

Senior Maintenance Aide Roxanne Hernandez Receives Words of Gratitude From Camper at Sue-meg State Park

State Park Peace Officer Simone DuRand Appreciated for Saving Stranded Motorists at Bodie State Historical Park

NEWS RELEASES

May 17, 2024

• Big Basin Redwoods State Park Launches Summer Shuttle Service for Weekends, Holidays

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.