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 June 28, 2024
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 Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area
Two desert iguanas (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) enjoying a little shade in the 110-degree heat.
Photo from Andrew Ahlberg, Ocotillo Wells District
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Friendly Reminder: Nominate An Exemplary Colleague for Employee Spotlight
Story from: Brittani Peterson, Communications and Marketing Division
 Don’t forget to submit your nominations for the Employee Spotlight series in State Parks’ Weekly Digest newsletter! This series recognizes exceptional State Parks employees who go above and beyond in their roles.
The Employee Spotlight series will feature individuals nominated by their division, district, or field staff as exemplary team members. Each month, we will spotlight one outstanding employee, sharing insights into their journey, experiences, and wisdom gained during their career at State Parks.
We invite you to nominate your State Parks colleagues by providing specific reasons for their nomination. This could be based on their outstanding achievements, dedication, teamwork, or any other qualities that make them stand out.
Each month the Weekly Digest team will choose from the submissions and send back a short questionnaire for that week’s employee spotlight to fill out and send back.
Please send your submissions to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov with the subject: Employee Spotlight Submission.
 ADVENTURE OF THE MONTH
Celebrating Hollywood, Humor, and Horses at Will Rogers State Historic Park
Story from: Andreas Agocs, Communications and Marketing Division
 Top left: Will Rogers as the “Cherokee Kid” in the early 20th century. Photo from California State Parks Photo Archive. Top right: Will Rogers' ranch house, decorated with Western art and Navajo rugs—and a rope on the table in front. Photo from Kimberly Milruya, Communications and Marketing Division. Bottom left: Fanciful saddles adorning the living room testified to Will’s love of horses. The saddle on the left was a gift from the Mexican president. Bottom right: While the ranch house holds up Old West traditions, the kitchen and bathrooms were equipped with the newest technologies that were available in the 1930s. Photos from Andreas Agocs, Communications and Marketing Division.
“Always drink upstream from the herd!” Homespun witticisms like this were characteristic of Will Rogers, one of the most beloved celebrities of the 1920s and '30s. Born in 1879 to parents with Cherokee heritage in what was then Indian Territory (the later state of Oklahoma), Rogers turned his early cowboy and ranch hand experience into a highly successful show business career as rope trick performer, vaudeville artist, radio personality, newspaper columnist, philanthropist, aviation enthusiast, and, by the mid-1930s, the movie industry’s highest-grossing box-office star. His 186-acre ranch in the hills between Malibu and Santa Monica has since 1944 been a California state park. Today, Will Rogers State Historic Park (SHP) is a perfect Southern California destination for everyone who loves old Hollywood, horses, and beautiful scenery with views of the Pacific Ocean.
State Park Interpreter Bill Hamm’s background in the movie industry, which included a role at the Starz cable television network—as well as in this video collaboration with Park Interpretative Specialist Dave Shepherd—makes him a perfect guide to the park and to all things Will Rogers. Bill met us for a tour of the park at the historic visitor center, located in the estate’s original garage and site of a photo exhibition that traces Rogers’ life and career.
Rogers became famous with his horsemanship and his rope tricks, which he mastered while performing as “The Cherokee Kid” in vaudeville stage acts. Bill described how in the 1920s and '30s Rogers “built a media brand” by adapting to the new technologies of radio and film and innovating new forms of entertainment. His popular radio show, in which he made fun of politicians and commented on current events with his trademark folksy humor, “invented the late-night talk show monologue.”
The Polo Field just outside the visitor center draws visitors to games and tournaments held by the Will Rogers Polo Club on summer weekends. At the park’s center are the riding arena and the historic stables, with stalls for 19 horses. Two of Will’s favorite horses, Bootlegger and Soapsuds, are buried under the grass in front of the stables. For visitors who share Will’s love of horses, an equestrian concession offers riding lessons and trail rides for the public.
The historic, two-winged Ranch House, built in craftsman style from 1926 to 1929, is richly decorated with reminders of the former “Cherokee Kid’s” cowboy roots, with a large collection of Western art, Navajo rugs, as well as saddles and other horse paraphernalia. Cultural Resources Program Supervisor Barbara Tejada points out that Rogers conceived of his ranch house as a place to “recenter” by going back to his Old West roots while at the same time incorporating what counts as 1930s state-of-the-art technology, like an intercom system for the sprawling home. Tragically, Will’s fascination with the then-cutting-edge technology of aviation was the cause of his death in a plane crash in remote Alaska in 1935.
By that time, Will Rogers had become a household name and beloved icon for millions of Americans weathering the Great Depression. His radio show and his nationally syndicated newspaper columns poked gentle fun at the vanity and greed of politicians of all stripes, while giving voice to the commonsense wisdom of the “little man.” His immense popularity was aided by his generous philanthropy. His wife Betty kept this spirit alive by deeding the ranch as a state park in 1944 to make it accessible to the public. “Many people we hold up as heroes are showing cracks in their armor, but Will was just a really good guy,” said Bill. “We need more people like him.”
For a perfect weekend visit, Bill suggests a tour of the house and stable in the morning before catching a polo game and enjoying a picnic lunch. Other recreation opportunities include horse-riding lessons or the two-mile hike to Inspiration Point, “the perfect trail to take your mother on,” because it is moderate and provides views over Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. Stay tuned for more this August, when Will Rogers SHP will celebrate its 80th anniversary by honoring the legacy of both Will and Betty Rogers, true to Will’s motto, “You must judge a man's greatness by how much he will be missed.”
 Top left and right: The historic barn and stable was built in 1929 for 19 of Will's horses. Photos from Kimberly Milruya. Bottom left: A sign in front of the stable marks the burial spot of two of Will's favorite horses, Bootlegger and Soapsuds. Bottom right: State Park Interpreter Bill Hamm and Graphic Designer III Kimberly Milruya in front of a portrait of Will Rogers. Park staff picks a new Will Rogers quote for the blackboard regularly. Photos from Andreas Agocs, Communications and Marketing Division.
 Top left: Interpreter Bill Hamm and Event Planner Kate Haspel in front of the ranch house. Top right: The highest grossing box office stars of the mid 1930s are displayed in the visitor center. During the height of the Great Depression, Will Rogers rivaled stars like Clark Gable and Shirley Temple in popularity. Bottom right: Bill makes these rope tricks look easy but visitors find out they're harder than it looks. Bottom left: Will Rogers State Beach, operated by the County of Los Angeles, was the actor's private property before it was deeded to the public. There's a Will Rogers quip about everything, including 1930s beachgoers: “I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they now do." Photos from Andreas Agocs, Communications and Marketing Division.
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State Parks Assists in Locating Missing Hiker in Santa Cruz Mountains
Story from: Doug Johnson, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 Left: Lukas McClish reunited with his family. Top right: SPPOs Scott Ackemann, Brett Weber, and his K-9 Rino search the wooded area where yells were heard. Bottom right: SPPO Weber lets Rino play with his toy after finding McClish. Photos from SLV Steve.
California State Park Rangers assisted in rescuing a hiker who had been lost in the Santa Cruz Mountains for 10 days. Thirty-four-year-old Lukas McClish was last seen June 11, near Big Basin Redwoods State Park and was reported missing by his family on June 15.
Days later, a resident with a back deck facing the San Lorenzo Valley called 911 and reported hearing someone yelling for help somewhere in the forest below. That’s when the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office asked for an agency assist from Santa Cruz District State Park Peace Officers (SPPOs) Scott Ackemann, Brett Weber, and his K-9 Rino. When they arrived, Weber says he and the other emergency responders there could hear the yelling.
“We all tried calling back to him from the deck, to let him know we could hear him,” said Weber. With the help of drones to pinpoint the yells, SPPOs Ackemann, Weber, K-9 Rino, and the other emergency responders, including members of CAL FIRE and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, repositioned to an area below the deck and walked up the slope via the tributary creeks.
Weber says while hiking along the creek he was paying close attention to Rino, as his keen hearing and smell will pick up sounds and scents that humans cannot. Weber says soon the K-9 started to pull to the right, up a steep slope. A few feet up, Weber spotted some tracks which he and Rino started to follow.
“Then once we were far away enough from the sound of the creek, I could hear yelling,” Weber says. “I yelled back and eventually we could hear each other by just talking. But the foliage was dense enough, I still couldn’t see him. So I told him Rino would likely find him first, but that he is friendly. He said he understood.”
In the thick vegetation Weber and Rino were eventually able to find McClish, who was dirty, hungry, and exhausted but otherwise physically okay.
“He didn’t have a shirt on, so I gave him mine,” Weber says. “I looked up our GPS point and called it in.”
Ackemann and the other searchers arrived shortly and provided McClish with extra snacks and water. They were then able to help him walk out to safety. McClish told Weber that he had indeed come from the way where Rino had initially picked up his tracks. He told local media he left his Boulder Creek home to hike his way to a landscaping job he was working on, which he thought would only take three hours. He also said he drank purified groundwater that was feeding nearby creeks to maintain his energy. The story of his survival has since made national news, as has Rino’s role in the rescue.
“He really saved himself by keeping alive out there. Rino and I were just in the right place at the right time to speed up the process," said Weber, who praised Rino’s abilities to assist. “Without Rino, that area would have taken three to four hours to search. But he was able to find him after only thirty minutes of searching.”
*Editors' Note: Officer Weber and K-9 Rino are one of 20 highly trained State Park K-9 teams across the state that help protect the public and California's natural and cultural resources. To learn more, visit parks.ca.gov/K9Program. Also, hear from Officer Weber on State Parks' social media platforms: Facebook I X I Instagram I Threads.
 Left: SPPOs Scott Ackemann, Brett Weber and K-9 Rino during the search for 34-year-old McClish. Photo from SLV Steve. Right: SPPO Brett Weber and K-9 Rino. Photo from Dylan McManus, Santa Cruz District.
Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians of the Big Valley Rancheria and State Parks Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Clear Lake State Park
Story and photos from: Dena Mitchell, Cultural Resources Division
 Big Valley MOU signing on June 21, 2024, at Clear Lake State Park. Left to right: Northern Buttes Archaeologist and District Tribal Liaison Brian Walsh, Big Valley Band of Pomo Secretary Vivian McCloud, State Parks Director Armando Quintero, Big Valley Band of Pomo Chairman Flaman McCloud Jr., Big Valley Band of Pomo Vice Chairman Nick Jack, Big Valley Band of Pomo Treasurer Aliya Ponce, and Tribal Elder Ron Montez, Sr.
California State Parks and the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians of the Big Valley Rancheria (Big Valley) celebrated the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Clear Lake State Park (SP), a state park within the Tribe’s traditional territory, on Friday, June 21, 2024.
“Big Valley has inhabited these lands since time immemorial and Friday’s MOU is an important step in our government-to-government relationship with the State because it recognizes the Tribe’s deep and meaningful connection to this land managed by California State Parks,” said Chairman Flaman McCloud, Jr. “For centuries, our people have used this land for ceremonies, dances, medicine gathering, and recreation. To ensure current and future Tribal members have the opportunity to do the same at Clear Lake State Park is incredibly gratifying. We’re grateful for State Parks' awareness and recognition of the Tribe’s stewardship of this land.”
“As we work with the descendants of the first people of California, the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, we mark a new era of engagement,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “Their culture, songs, knowledge, and the living people who are the Big Valley Pomo in partnership will provide an energized trajectory, long into the future that will continue rich traditions and the application of traditional knowledge for the future of Big Valley and its people.”
The MOU identifies mutually beneficial activities for State Parks and Big Valley to collaborate and cooperate on for the benefit of Clear Lake SP. These activities include the incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge into natural resource management and to better preserve and protect the natural beauty and biodiversity of Clear Lake. Collaboration on interpretation is also a focus of the MOU, cooperating on bringing in Native American voices and stories into California State Parks, a focus of the State Parks Reexamining Our Past Initiative.
To learn more, view our press release.
 Top left: California State Parks Director Armando Quintero with Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians (Big Valley) Chairman Flaman McCloud Jr. Top right: Big Valley Elder Ron Montez, Sr. Bottom left: Northern Buttes District Superintendent Matt Teague addressing the audience. Bottom right: Big Valley Secretary Vivian McCloud.
Local Students Explore Trione-Annadel State Park
Story and photo from: Dave Duplantier, Bay Area District
 Park Aide Dominic Antenucci explaining some wildlife information as well as safety rules before embarking on a hike with students from Santa Rosa City Schools.
For the fourth consecutive year, fourth and fifth graders from Santa Rosa City Schools were able to experience Trione-Annadel State Park (SP) thanks to transportation funding from Friends of Trione-Annadel State Park (FOTA). FOTA, the designated nonprofit association supporting the park and its activities, covered the bus transportation costs so students could come out and experience this beautiful natural place in the city, where most live and attend school. Many of these students come from low-income families that would otherwise not be able to afford the bus fees. The Bay Area District provided interpretive staff to guide the students during the educational and safe adventure.
After completing the designated hikes, students gathered at the picnic area for a well-deserved lunch and debrief, sharing their experiences of what they observed, heard, and felt on their specific hike. Topics included the history of the park, such as the history of Native American people who lived there, wildlife that inhabit the park, local geology, and the importance of maintaining and caring for these precious resources for future generations to explore and appreciate.
Upon entering the trail, one of the first activities interpretive staff had the students do was “absolutely nothing.” The kids were asked to be totally quiet for two or three minutes to utilize their other senses of sight, hearing, and smell to experience the tranquility of nature before them. One student commented that he had never heard trees so tall blowing in the wind. Another said, “I enjoyed not hearing cars, horns, and other loud noises.”
Of course, staff members and visitors hope to spot wildlife in the park as they hike. That was the case on many excursions, with staff and the kids often seeing newts, lizards, deer, wild turkeys, various birds, frogs, squirrels, and a snake or two.
After the program, each student was presented with a Trione-Annadel SP booklet full of information about plant life, wildlife, and birds to take with them as a remembrance of their day in the state park! Special kudos to Victor Trione for funding the booklets.
Who knows, there may be a few students who will “Live the Parks Life” in the future!
Leo Carrillo State Park Kicks Off First Junior Lifeguard Program Session of the Season
Story from: Cassandra Chavez, Angeles District
 Junior Lifeguards on the beach during the first session of the Junior Lifeguard Program at Leo Carrillo State Park. Photo from Angeles District staff.
California State Parks has stationed lifeguards on their beaches since the late 1930s. Leo Carrillo State Park (SP) offers a Junior Lifeguard Program to prepare youth for careers as State Park Lifeguards. This week marked the beginning of the park's first Junior Lifeguard Program session of the season, running from June 24-July 12. Aimed at youth ages 9-15, the program not only teaches beach and ocean safety, but also emphasizes physical fitness, first aid, CPR skills, and introduces participants to ocean sports and activities. Each session spans three weeks, accommodating about 105 kids.
The Junior Lifeguard Program is taught by professional state park lifeguards and specially trained support personnel. The lifeguards have extensive experience and rigorous training in surf and ocean rescue, beach safety, first aid, and CPR. In most cases, Junior Lifeguard instructors have many years of grade school and high school teaching and interpretation experience. Many of the lifeguards have matriculated through the Junior Lifeguard Program and become professional supervising lifeguards with State Parks.
Many of the program's staff and volunteers started as Junior Lifeguards themselves. The current Junior Lifeguard Coordinator Robyn Doler shares that they have a special place in their heart for the program, having been a Junior Lifeguard participant. The program also has about 30 volunteer assistants, some of whom are former Junior Lifeguards returning to support the program. This team-based approach fosters a supportive environment where knowledge and experience are passed down from one generation of lifeguards to the next.
 Left: Lifeguard volunteers enjoying their break on the waves. Right: Lifeguard surfboard on the beach at Leo Carrillo SP. Photos from Angeles District staff.
PARTNER NEWS
Leading Together: A New Model for Thriving State Parks
Story from: Parks California
 Forty 2022 Tour de Parks participants who rode 75 miles from Candlestick Point State Recreation Area to Big Basin Redwoods State Park, stopping part way at Half Moon Bay State Beach.
As we celebrate five years of partnership with California State Parks this year, we reflect on our collective achievements. These accomplishments have been made possible through the collaboration of our dedicated partners and supporters, including over a hundred nonprofits and community organizations, climate scientists, tribal leaders, equity champions, generous funders, and all of you! We would not be where we are today without this community.
We’re excited to announce a new report, Leading Together: A New Model for Thriving State Parks, examining Parks California’s unique statutory partnership model and providing guidance to other park systems that want to establish a similar partnership.
Potrero Group—a consulting firm with expertise in public lands—put this report together to help us share what we’ve learned from our first five years with California State Parks. We believe that collaboration and partnership is the key to addressing major issues, like climate change and inequality, and we hope that our experience helps parks everywhere to thrive.
Learn more about our statutory partnership model and download the report by clicking here.
 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
Associate State Archaeologist – (Multiple opportunities) – Apply-by dates vary: In this exciting role, you will use your expertise in the practice of archaeology and knowledge of pertinent law and regulation to review cultural resources, evaluation and treatment, and other important tasks. Click here to view opportunities and to apply.
Environmental Scientist – (Multiple opportunities) – Apply-by dates vary: In these roles, you will dive into the forefront of environmental sustainability. Gather vital data, conduct insightful analysis, and craft influential reports and regulatory documents. Your work will positively impact the natural resources of our state parks, engaging with communities to foster sustainable solutions. Ready to lead the charge? Click here to view current opportunities and to apply.
Forestry Technician – (Multiple opportunities) – Apply-by dates vary: Join us as a Forestry Technician tackling invasive species control, vegetation monitoring, and other vital tasks. Under the guidance of our Senior Environmental Scientist, you'll implement resource restoration projects, combatting invasive plants with various methods including herbicide application, and supporting botanical surveys, forest restoration, prescribed fire, and more. Click here to view opportunities and to apply.
Park Maintenance Worker I – (Multiple opportunities) – Apply-by dates vary: State Parks is seeking multiple motivated individuals to take on these dynamic roles. From carpentry, painting, and everything in between, you'll maintain, repair, and build diverse park structures and facilities. Clear trails, protect natural resources, and lead a team—all while keeping our parks pristine. Ready to make a hands-on impact in preserving our outdoor havens? Click here to view opportunities and to apply.
State Park Equipment Operator – (Multiple opportunities) – Apply-by dates vary: As a State Park Equipment Operator, you will be responsible for operating heavy equipment to construct roads, maintain packing areas and remove various hazards, including dead trees, landslides, and flood debris. You may also operate light equipment including chainsaws, lawn mowers, repair fences, etc. Click here to view opportunities and to apply.
Water and Sewage Plant Supervisor (Multiple opportunities) – Apply-by dates vary: As a Water and Sewage Plant Supervisor, your role will be an essential part of maintaining the beauty of our state parks by ensuring clean waterways and sustainable facilities. In these exciting roles, you will supervise the operation of a water treatment and/or sewage treatment plant, direct the taking of daily tests of water and sewage, and other vital tasks. Click here to view the current openings and to apply.
Communications Operator – Until Filled: Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding career that allows you to provide protection to the public, law enforcement, and California State Parks? Based in the Northern Communication Center (NORCOM), you will monitor emergency communication systems, answer calls for service, log incidents, and dispatch field units to emergencies. Become a guardian of the largest state park system in the nation in this exciting and rewarding career. Click here to view this opportunity 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.
Water and Sewage Plant Supervisor – Continuous (6/30/2024): You will be supervising the operation of a water treatment and/or sewage treatment plan, directing the taking of daily tests of water and sewage in the various stages of treatment, and making the more involved analyses by interpreting tests and determining necessary changes in dosage and treatment processes. Click here for more information.
Museum Curator I (7/31/2024) – Guided by general direction, the Museum Curator I will skillfully plan and oversee programs for acquiring, conserving, and interpreting museum objects within park area or house museums. From preservation to storage, they ensure each artifact's significance is preserved and shared with care. Click here for more information.
Museum Curator II (7/31/2024) – The Museum Curator II leads strategic programs for managing museum collections in facilities with active yet moderate-sized holdings. From acquisition to storage, they ensure each artifact is carefully preserved and its story is vividly told. Click here for more information.
Museum Technician (7/31/2024) – As a Museum Technician, you will safeguard and maintain art collections with precision. Your duties will also include specialized cleaning, pest control, and climate management. You will contribute to preservation efforts through inventory management and record-keeping, while ensuring safe object relocation. 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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barbecue: Preferred spelling is "barbecue," and not "barbeque" or "BBQ."
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Fourth of July, July Fourth, Independence Day: All these references are appropriate. Spell out “Fourth.”
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heat wave: Two words.
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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 Corona Del Mar
California State Parks Director Armando Quintero, Chief Deputy Director Liz McGuirk, Assistant Deputy Director of Park Operations Adrien Contreras, Orange Coast District Superintendent Kevin Pearsall, Central Field Division Chief Matt Bellah, and staff from the Orange Coast District at the June 28 SurfWatch Vessel Christening event.
State Parks welcomed four new SurfWatch vessels that are equipped with cutting-edge technology and built to perform under the most challenging conditions. These vessels will help the State Parks team protect the lives of the thousands of people who live, work, and recreate along our coast every day.
Photo from Michelle Figueroa, Orange Coast District
Emerald Bay State Park
Park aide staff pose at Lower Eagle Falls. Front row (from left to right): Giguette Knochenhauer, Manny Toledo, and Debbie Gualano. Back row (from left to right): Ryan Azevedo, Will Hamann, Nikki Pinter, Brady Giles, and Alex Bernstein.
Photo from Elizabeth McMillan, Sierra District
 Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Top: Alberto Bonilla (left) and Julianne Dirks (right) run through how to operate one of Santa Cruz District’s fire engines. Bottom: Seasonal Lifeguard Jeremy Paiss instructs staff on the ins and outs of California Department of Parks and Recreation radios.
Santa Cruz District visitor service and natural resource staff participated in a hands-on wildland refresher course on Monday, June 25. To maintain fire certifications, staff members are required to take part in the RT-130 Wildland Refresher training annually. In addition to the standard work capacity test and fire shelter drills, staff training covered topics such as working with air assets, managing communications, and engine operations.
Photos from Patrick Rosso, Santa Cruz District
 Wilder Ranch State Park
Gold shovels stand at the ready at the groundbreaking ceremony for segment five of the North Coast Rail Trail (Wilder Ranch to Davenport). The event was attended by several local and state agencies and elected officials.
Photo from Rhiannon Sims, Santa Cruz District
 Wilder Ranch State Park
A curious garter snake also decided to check out the groundbreaking ceremony for the new segment of the North Coast Rail Trail.
Photo from Rhiannon Sims, Santa Cruz District
 Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Left: Western azaleas looking like nature's wedding cake. Right: A goldenstar looking like fireworks.
Photos from Michele Hernandez, Colorado Desert District
 Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
A satyr comma.
Photo from Michele Hernandez, Colorado Desert District
 La Purísima Mission State Historic Park
This park is not just a carefully restored historic site; it boasts nearly 2,000 acres of vegetated canyon, foothills, and mesa which can be experienced along over 25 miles of hiking, equestrian, and bicycle trails. A state park peace officer on a patrol mountain bike recently took a rest next to the mission-era reservoir to appreciate their unique work environment.
Photo from Channel Coast District staff
 Sue-meg State Park
Sunset.
Photo from Lorna Payne, campground host
 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, June 29, 2024
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Olompali Orchids & Other Flowers—Olompali State Historic Park, 9 a.m.-noon: Sponsored by our partner organization, Friends of Olompali. Come join Clint and Madeline Kellner to explore Olompali’s orchids and other plants and flowers now in bloom, hiking the park’s Miwok Loop Trail on this partnership of Friends of Olompali and Marin Chapter California Native Plant Society outing. Cost: $8 per vehicle for parking – event is free. RSVP here.
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Explore Kayaking at Bethany Reservoir—Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area at 10 a.m.: Join us this weekend where we'll spend 90 minutes learning about the reservoir, safe kayaking practices, and the plants and animals in this gem of a park. Participants must bring their own kayak, canoe, paddleboard, etc. and a life vest. Please arrive 15-20 minutes early to launch boats. Register here. High winds may cause cancellation of event. Please call (925) 243-2003 for more information.
Thursday, July 4, 2024
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An Old Fashioned Fourth of July—Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: California State Parks invite you to celebrate an old fashioned Fourth of July at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Visitors can join park staff and volunteers celebrating the way early San Diego residents did in the 1800s with games, crafts, and live music from Billy Lee & the Swamp Critters. Event is free; some activities may require an additional purchase. Additional parking is available at the Caltrans headquarters, just two blocks from the park at 2994 Sunset Street.
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June 24, 2024
June 26, 2024
June 27, 2024
June 28, 2024
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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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