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Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division and Gold Fields District Host a Public Safety Fair at Black Miners Bar
Story from: Doug Johnson, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 Top left: Interpreter I Zakary Adams speaks with visitors about wildlife in the area. Top right: State Park Peace Officer (SPPO) Superintendent II Mary Garza and Associate Governmental Program Analyst Linda Rodriguez. Bottom left: SPPO Superintendent Ryan Steele watches a lifeguard rescue drill. Bottom right: SPPO Superintendent III Pete Estes with his son Jude. Photos from Jeneane Novotny, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division.
Hundreds of people came out to the Public Safety Fair at Black Miners Bar, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, on Oct. 5. This event was developed and put together by many different groups, including the Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division, Gold Fields District, Interpretation and Education Division, and the Parks Recruitment Office. The event was an opportunity for the public to learn more about the role of state park peace officers (rangers and lifeguards) and communication operators (dispatchers) within California’s 280 state parks and the hiring process.
Throughout the day, public safety demonstrations were featured, including lifeguard water rescues, K-9 training demonstrations, and a CAL FIRE helicopter landing on a field off the American River Bike Trail. The event was supported by additional groups that had booths, like the U.S. Coast Guard, Sacramento County Regional Parks, adventure sports companies, retailers and food trucks.
“It was a great opportunity to showcase what our rangers, lifeguards and dispatchers do every day,” said Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division Chief Scott Bayne. “I’m grateful to everyone who came out and made this event possible.”
Members of the public were able to meet several of State Parks' K-9s and speak with rangers and lifeguards about their careers. Visitors were also able to step aboard the CAL FIRE helicopter, take pictures and learn more about its role in fighting wildfires.
Interpreters were available to show off wild animal furs and skulls and speak about the natural environment around Lake Natoma. At its booth, the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division was also able to describe its mission of providing high quality off-highway vehicle recreation opportunities while protecting the state's natural and cultural resources. Members of the State Parks Dive Team were also there talking about their program and discussing with the public their great work. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Conservation Corps and the Sacramento State Aquatic Center also had booths.
“We hope to hold more events like this across the state at different parks,” said Chief Bayne.
 Top left: Off-highway vehicle booth. Top right: SPPO Superintendent II Scott Modeste and Chief Scott Bayne. Bottom left: Visitors listen to Interpreter II Dominic Papia speak about wildlife in the area. Bottom right: Seasonal lifeguards hosted several booths. Photos from Heather Holm, Interpretation and Education Division.
 Top left: Visitors look inside CAL FIRE helicopter after it landed. Top right: SPPO Superintendent III Pete Estes and SPPO Briana Estes with their son Jude. Bottom left: SPPO Thomas Cunningham and K-9 Doc partake in training with agitator Adam Lucero. Bottom right (from left to right): Seasonal lifeguards Austin Thompson, Bridgett Mutschler and Iiana Briggs observe the water before a water rescue drill. Photos from Jeneane Novotny, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division.
Exploring Latino Influence at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Story and photos from: Angelica De la Peña, Communications and Marketing Division
 Top left: Park Historian Ed Allen leads the group on a tour of Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (SHP). Right (from left to right): Division of Boating and Waterways Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez, California Natural Resources Agency Deputy Secretary for Access Gloria Sandoval, Gold Fields District Superintendent Steve Hilton, and California Conservation Corps Cook Stephen Beck and Deputy Director of Administration Tabatha Chavez learn about what life was like in Coloma in the 1800s. Bottom left: Information Officer II Jorge Moreno records a video of Superintendent Hilton inviting people to visit Marshall Gold Discovery SHP.
As part of California Natural Resources Agency’s Latino Heritage Month celebration, a small group of staff recently embarked on an enlightening trip to Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (SHP). This visit, on Oct. 3, provided a unique opportunity to delve into the significant contributions of the Latino community during the Gold Rush era.
The tour began with an intriguing historical revelation: gold was first discovered in California in 1842 by Francisco Lopez in Placerita Canyon in Los Angeles County, six years before James Marshall's discovery on the American River at Coloma. This discovery paved the way for hundreds of Mexican miners from Sonora, who traveled north to seek their fortunes in the goldfields. For several years, these miners played a crucial role in the growing mining industry, leaving a permanent mark on California’s history.
As we explored Marshall Gold Discovery SHP, we learned about the Sonoran influences on gold mining practices and culture during the Gold Rush. The knowledge shared by our guide, Park Historian Ed Allen, illuminated the ways in which these early miners contributed techniques and traditions that enriched the mining community. The trip was particularly meaningful for several attendees of Latino heritage, who found a personal connection to the history we were uncovering. It was a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of Latino miners and their impact on California's development.
At the park, Gold Fields District Superintendent Steve Hilton and I recorded a short video, inviting families to visit the park and explore the rich history of Latino influence during this pivotal time.
As we concluded our visit, it was clear that this experience not only celebrated the past but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the diverse narratives that shape our shared history. Marshall Gold Discovery SHP stands as a testament to the vital role that the Latino community played in the Gold Rush, and it invites all to come and discover this rich heritage.
Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Surveys at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area
Story and photos from: Enrique Arroyo, Ocotillo Wells District
 2024 Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Survey main crew, from left to right: Senior Environmental Scientist Sara Lockett, Environmental Scientist Casey Paredes, Associate State Archeologist Alex Napier, Forestry Aide Jared Gravett, Environmental Scientist Diana Fong, Park Maintenance Worker I Charles Rubia.
Ocotillo Wells District staff, led by Environmental Scientist Diana Fong, took on the annual task of conducting demography surveys for the flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii) at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) during September. Demography surveys allow for population sizes and trends to be estimated, similar to a population census. The goal was to count the lizards in two designated 2-acre plots as part of a regional, multi-agency and multi-state range-wide effort in the Sonoran Desert. This year’s count was slightly higher than previous years which helps support the determination that the population is doing well in Ocotillo Wells SVRA.
Demography surveys have been occurring in the park since 2014, with a second plot added in 2016. Each plot is surveyed for 10 days, once per year. During surveys, a team of dedicated personnel go out each weekday morning and patiently walk about 10,000 steps while scouring the land for these approximately 2-5-inch-long creatures.
This year, the team consisted of about six to eight people each weekday. Because of the extreme heat at Ocotillo Wells SVRA, the team would leave base camp at 5:30 a.m. and begin the survey at first light, depending on the temperature. Mid-September brought chilly highs of 85 degrees with lows below 70. The ideal ground temperature for the lizard to be active is between 68 and 133 degrees.
Teams of three set out about 3-4 feet apart and walk parallel, looking not only for the lizards but also for hazards like mammal burrows, vegetation, and the sidewinder rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes). Incidental observations of invasive species or non-target species of interest are also recorded while on plot.
When a lizard is spotted, they are gently hand-captured, observed to ensure they are not a repeat capture by a variety of markings, and then carefully placed in a small bag. They are then weighed, tagged with a transponder or toe clipped for future identification, and meticulously prepared for release. A second team member records information including, sex, approximate age, weight, location, and other records. On a good day, the total count would be 15. Some days, the count was zero.
 Clockwise from top left: Sara Lockett, Park and Recreation Specialist Eric Kung, Charles Rubia, Jard Gravett, Diana Fong, and Casey Paredes. A flat-tailed horned lizard in its habitat. Diana Fong holding a lizard. Diana Fong prepares to tag a lizard while Sara Lockett documents key data. One of the proper ways to hold a flat-tailed horned lizard.
Mount Diablo State Park Hosts East Bay Stewardship Network Meeting
Story from: Reanna Trujillo, Diablo Range District
 Diablo Range District Planning Analyst Reanna Trujillo and Diablo Range District Office Receptionist Mindy Light direct meeting participants to Mount Diablo State Park's Live Oak Campground. Photo from Megan Harrison, Diablo Range District.
State Parks’ Diablo Range District hosted its first East Bay Stewardship Network meeting on Oct. 4. In 2023, several Bay Area land management and stewardship groups formed the East Bay Stewardship Network as a means for collaboration at a landscape scale across the East Bay. The network is intended help those involved better adapt to climate change, increase the ecological health of the region, build public and political support for landscape stewardship, align regulatory requirements and management strategies across stewardship projects, and strengthen the ability to fundraise for stewardship activities.
East Bay Regional Park District hosted the first three meetings and requested partner assistance to begin a meeting-host rotation moving forward. With the support of Parks California, Diablo Range District staff held the first rotating East Bay Stewardship Network workshop.
The group met at Mount Diablo State Park's Live Oak Campground and despite being outdoors during the heat wave, the dedicated group had a meaningful and successful meeting. Representatives from the East Bay Municipal Utility District, East Bay Regional Parks District, National Park Service, and other partners stuck it out through the heat, building on previous work from those agencies and many other organizations that have come together to develop the network's structure and next steps. We are excited to see the future of the network and what our new connections bring.
Special thanks to Diablo Range District staff, including Mindy Light for coordinating the on-the ground details together with me, Megan Harrison for being a lively meeting host, Gina Benigno for serving as timekeeper and natural resources expert, and Natural Resources Division’s Climate Fellow Juliana Vidal for coordinating the participant survey and agenda, and for handling logistics like coffee and lunch from afar. Thank you also to Parks California for providing the coffee and delicious lunch!
 Some of the meeting participants, from left to right: Tammy Lim from East Bay Regional Park District, Ben Weise from Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, Gina Benigno, natural resources manager for Diablo Range District North, and Courtney Coon from Alameda County Resource Conservation District. Photo from Megan Harrison, Diablo Range District.
California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission to Tour Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area, Consider Draft Final General Plan
Story and photos from: Kevin Murphy, Communications and Marketing Division
 The California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission (Commission) will tour Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) before its discussion of a Final Environmental Impact Report and Draft Final General Plan for the SVRA. Members of the public are invited to participate in the tour, which begins at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The tour will visit several areas of the park unit and is expected to end at 12:30 p.m. The Commission meeting follows on Thursday, Oct. 24, beginning at 8:30 a.m., at the Tracy Community Center. Additional agenda items include planning and legislative updates.
Participants for the tour are asked to RSVP by calling (916) 902-8598 no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. Participants are encouraged to utilize their own off-road vehicles for the tour. Limited seating in vehicles provided by State Parks is available on a first come, first served basis, based on reservations received by the RSVP deadline.
Full details for the tour and the meeting will be available 10 days in advance of the meeting at State Parks’ public notices webpage. Members of the public unable to attend the Commission meeting in person may watch it live at CAL-SPAN.org. For information about the Division of Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation, including a list of SVRAs and available grant programs, visit ohv.parks.ca.gov. California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact (916) 324-4442.
Sonoma State Historic Park Hosts Community Movie Night, Volunteer Visit to Fort Ross State Historic Park
Story and photos from: S. Tyler Markley, Bay Area District
 State Parks employees and their families got into the spirit of Sonoma State Historic Park's first Community Movie Night during a screening of "Star Wars: A New Hope."
Sonoma State Historic Park (SHP) recently hosted two events. First, we are thrilled to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us for the park’s inaugural Community Movie Night last month. It was truly a magical evening, and we were delighted to welcome guests from both near and far for this special event.
With 100 free tickets distributed for a screening of “Star Wars: A New Hope,” the night was filled with excitement and community spirit. From Star Wars-themed cookies and fresh popcorn to refreshing drinks and a lively costume contest, the event was a celebration of both cinematic history and our local community. One of the highlights of the evening was a special introduction to the film given by a representative from Lucasfilm, who shared some wonderful insights about the making of this iconic movie and the enduring legacy of the Star Wars universe.
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of several key partners. We extend our deepest thanks to our friends at Sonoma Petaluma Parks for their invaluable help, as well as to the dedicated staff here at Sonoma SHP who worked tirelessly to bring this event to life. A special thank you also goes out to Lucasfilm for not only granting us the opportunity to screen the film, but for sending the representative to make the evening even more memorable for our guests.
More recently, Sonoma SHP and Petaluma Adobe SHP volunteers took a special trip to Fort Ross SHP for a day of hiking and guided tours to learn about the fascinating connections between our state parks. With temperatures reaching 103 degrees in Sonoma, heading to the cooler coast was tempting on its own, but what really made the day unforgettable was the incredible Fort Ross team.
The staff and volunteers were absolute professionals and true experts on the topics they shared. The tour of the fort was so engaging that a few of our volunteers went home inspired to do further research on the historical connections we discovered. I have continued to receive emails from our volunteers letting me know what a memorable day they had. I have often heard the saying, "History is all connected," but after spending a day at Fort Ross, that phrase has never felt truer. For anyone looking for a fantastic day filled with beautiful views and captivating history, I highly recommend a visit to the park.
Finally, one last huge thank you to the entire Fort Ross SHP team for making it such a perfect day! If you would like to join us for future outings like this one, consider signing up as a California State Parks volunteer. Not only will you have the chance to participate in field trips like these, but you’ll also help share our state’s rich history with the public.
 Volunteers from Sonoma SHP and Petaluma Adobe SHP escaped the heat when they visited the coast for a special tour of Fort Ross SHP.
Will Rogers State Historic Park Hosts Polo Classic
Story and photo from: Angeles District
 The polo field at Will Rogers State Historic Park.
Will Rogers State Historic Park (SHP) hosted the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic on Oct. 5. The sold-out event attracted up to 5,000 patrons for a celebration of polo, fashion, and gourmet street-food cuisine.
Attendees enjoyed a match between the Will Rogers Polo Club and Team Veuve Clicquot, captained by world-renowned polo player Nacho Figueras. At halftime, guests participated in the tradition of “stomping the divots” on the field, ensuring a safe competition for horses and players in the second half.
Park visitors watched the match from several scenic overlooks along the Inspiration Loop Trail. Additional trail highlights on this clear afternoon included views of the Los Angeles skyline, the Santa Monica Mountains, and Angeles District state park units.
The event continues the legacy of polo and equestrian activity at Will Rogers SHP. Actor, columnist, radio personality, and social commentator Will Rogers, who lived at the property from 1927 until his death in 1935, hosted and competed in polo matches and enjoyed horsemanship activities. The polo field is the only remaining outdoor polo field in Los Angeles County. Polo games are held every weekend from May through September, with matches free to the public.
 PARTNER NEWS
Tour de Parks California Spans Morro Bay State Park to Hearst Castle
Story from: Michael Bridges, Parks California
 Top: Group photo at the end of the ride Bottom left: Gazelle e-bikes helped power some riders along the coast. Bottom right: Marmot tents at campsite create a colorful scene. Photos from Parks California.
The Third Annual Tour de Parks California took place last weekend, this year in partnership with the San Luis Obispo Coast District team and leadership. More than 60 participants enjoyed kayaking, camping, birding, hiking, plein-air painting, golfing, cycling, and a grand tour of Hearst Castle. The activities illuminated some of the breadth of park experiences that engage communities. New friendships were formed, and relationships were strengthened. Participants spanned the decades, from grade-school artists and explorers to one celebrating her 80th birthday with the 32-mile bicycle ride from Morro Bay to San Simeon! The town of Harmony even opened its creamery at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday morning for guests to enjoy ice cream along their bicycle ride north.
Moreover, the event raised critical funds for the work of Parks California in supporting all 280 state parks. "Tour de Parkers" engaged their networks throughout the year to support parks and then came together on this magnificent autumn weekend to celebrate together, experience parks, meet park leadership, and forge connections with like-minded folks. Marmot, a key sponsor, gifted a waterproof windbreaker jacket for each participant and donated 40 tents, sleeping bags, and pads to be used for Parks California events. Gazelle USA made the cycling possible for more folks, by donating e-bikes for those who preferred one, along with a support vehicle for the cycling. Smog City Brewing Company of Torrance and Athletic Brewing Company of San Diego donated beverages for the weekend. Stay connected with Parks California to find out which parks will be toured in 2025!
  Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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