Lieutenant Governor Visits Empire Mine State Historic Park
Story from: Kaytlen Jackson, Sierra District
 Sierra District staff pose with Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis at Empire Mine State Historic Park. From left to right: District Partnerships and Communications Manager Kaytlen Jackson, Interpreter I Jean Rhyne, Lt. Gov. Kounalakis, District Cultural Resources Program Manager Alex Neeb and lead tour guide volunteer and park historian George Sanford. Photo from Sierra District.
Empire Mine State Historic Park recently welcomed California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis during her ongoing tour of all 58 California counties. Sierra District staff were honored to host the lieutenant governor, sharing the rich history and ongoing stewardship of one of California’s most significant Gold Rush–era sites. Staff shared their experiences as land managers and the challenges they face, including wildfire risk and preserving aging cultural resources.
During her visit, the lieutenant governor toured the historic Bourn Mansion and clubhouse, both decorated beautifully for the holiday season. She also saw our incredible docents in action at the operational blacksmith shop and explored key industrial features of the park, including the mine shaft and mine yard. Despite the rainy weather, it was a successful visit, highlighting State Parks’ important role in connecting all park visitors with their shared history.
Los Angeles River Farmers’ Market: The Holiday Edition
Story and photos from: Angeles District Community Engagement Team
 Clockwise from top left: Community engagement staff strike a pose with the East Wind Foundation lion dancers. A shopper perusing the handcrafted wares at the market. Telescopes provide visitors a chance to gaze at the stars and the Dumbbell Galaxy.
The holiday edition of the Los Angeles River Farmers’ Market brought festive magic and a touch of cosmic wonder to Los Angeles State Historic Park on Dec. 4. The event welcomed an estimated 400–500 visitors, all eager to enjoy seasonal shopping, local food and a surprise celestial experience that became one of the day’s highlights.
Organizers were thrilled when a member of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society reached out just days before the market, offering to bring five telescopes to provide attendees an unexpected chance to explore the night sky. Families and astronomy enthusiasts gathered to observe stunning sights, such as the Dumbbell Nebula, (a bright planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula famous for its hourglass shape), adding a unique and memorable dimension to the holiday celebration. And if that was not enough of a surprise, the East Wind Foundation performed a lion dance down the market corridor!
Alongside the star-gazing and lion dance, visitors enjoyed a vibrant open-air marketplace featuring handcrafted goods, seasonal treats, fresh produce and delicious offerings from local food vendors. The event successfully blended community, creativity and curiosity, offering a joyful kickoff to the holiday season. We especially want to thank the California State Parks Foundation for supporting programming with live music and face painting.
The Los Angeles River Farmers’ Market takes place every Thursday, from 3 to 7:30 p.m., rain or shine. For more information about the market visit Food Access Los Angeles.
Games, Crafts and Acting: Monterey State Historic Park Hosts Winter Wanderers Day Camp
Story from: Chris Linhares, Monterey District
 Campers toast with their freshly brewed hot apple cider during Monterey State Historic Park's Winter Wanderers Day Camp. Photo from Isabella Brown, Monterey District.
We welcomed the New Year in style at Monterey State Historic Park (SHP). Our second annual Winter Wanderers Day Camp took place on Jan. 2-4. Thirteen excited third, fourth and fifth graders from Monterey County joined State Parks staff for a variety of winter-themed crafts and historic exploration. Campers took part in many activities, including constructing their own gingerbread adobes, simmering hot apple cider on a wood burning stove and collaging their own New Year’s vision boards. Campers had a blast enjoying their tasty treats after crafting them.
In addition to the winter crafts, campers also got a chance to learn about Monterey’s vast cultural and natural history through activities such as “Pin the Cravat on Robert Louis Stevenson,” Chinese New Year lantern making, and a lesson on gray whale winter migration. The camp culminated in a theatrical performance for campers’ friends and families in California’s First Theater. The historical significance and rustic atmosphere were felt by all who attended, and our young actors more than lived up to the building’s long legacy.
Sponsored by the Adventure Pass Program, Winter Wanderers was free to fourth graders, making the camp accessible to even more of our community. Families mentioned this offering was perfectly timed after an expensive holiday season. Thanks to the Adventure Pass, 11 of our 13 campers were able to attend the program without charge.
We want to extend our sincerest thank you to everyone involved in making this camp a success. This includes funding from the Monterey State Historic Park Association, the support of the families who enrolled their campers into the program, and the dedicated staff who worked diligently to ensure a safe and fun environment for all the campers who attended.
Winter Wanderers was a fantastic way to start 2026. We look forward to the many adventures and events to come at Monterey SHP in the new year.
 Clockwise from left: A camper shows off his gingerbread adobe model moments before it was devoured. Photo from Guide I Chris Linhares. Linhares leads students through practice of their skit titled, “'Round the Horn.” Photo from Isabella Brown. Guide Trainee Margie Lodes leads a camper towards success during a game of “Pin the Cravat on Robert Louis Stevenson.” Photo from Chris Linhares.
Mendocino Sector Hosts Surfer Awareness and Lifesaving Training at Russian Gulch State Park
Story from: Brandon Burson, Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District
 State Parks Lifeguard Cole Freeling demonstrates a rescue technique during a recent Surfer Awareness and Lifesaving Training at Russian Gulch State Park. Photo by Julian Cazares, training participant.
Mendocino Sector lifeguards hosted the annual Surfer Awareness and Lifesaving Training (SALT) at Russian Gulch State Park (SP) on Dec. 13. The training instructs surfers within the local community how to recognize and react to fellow surfers and swimmers in distress. By recognizing the first signs of distress, attendees are able to take appropriate action to help save lives in the water. The event is also a great way to build community relationships and promote the importance of aquatic safety along the coast.
Attendees came from as far away as Guerneville and Santa Rosa, about two hours from Russian Gulch SP. After a presentation in the rec hall, lifeguards brought the class to the beach, where they went over basic rescue techniques and strategies in the water. At the end of the training, lifeguards hosted a barbecue at the beach for all the attendees.
The lifeguard program is aiming to host another SALT training in Point Arena in the near future and keep the program as an annual event. Thank you to cooperating association MendoParks for its assistance in promoting and organizing the event.
 Clockwise from top left: The full class of attendees and lifeguards suit up and get ready to get into the water. Photo from Julian Cazares, training participant. State Parks Lifeguard Mauricio Tomaselli mans the grill for the post-training barbecue. Photo by Rogue Russell, Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District. State Parks lifeguards Cesar Martins, Koa Chamberlin, Rogue Russell and Adam Kubo go over rescue techniques. Photo by Julian Cazares, training participant.
Pink Bear Breast Cancer Awareness Project Successful Again in 2025
Story from: M.G. “Mike” Lynch, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division
 The black and pink bear patch and pink bear pin (top left) were joined in 2025 by special Pink Patch Project patches for maintenance staff and park aides. Photos from California State Parks.
California State Parks first approved the Pink Bear patch and pin program in 2018 to highlight National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, celebrated in October each year. As part of the program, State Parks’ staff were officially authorized to wear the Pink Bear patches and pins on uniforms during October. The Pink Patch Project is a nationwide program where public agencies produce pink versions of their patches to further breast cancer prevention, treatment and research.
In 2025, Pink Bear patches for park aides and maintenance staff were introduced and $3,850 was raised in patch and pin sales and donations. All proceeds were given to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), rated A+ and 4-stars by the two principal charity watchdogs, Charity Navigator and Charity Watch. A total of $28,918 has been raised since 2018. Partners for the Pink Bear patch and pin program include the Ranger Foundation, the California State Park Rangers Association and the California State Park Anniversary Committee. These nonprofit groups promote the program, process the orders and provide funding to pay for the pink patches and pins. As these partners directly fund the cost of producing and mailing the pink bear patches and pins, 100% of sales are donated to BCRF.
A special thanks to Tom and Tess Bernardo who do all the shipping and handling of the pink bear orders. The Pink Bear patch and pin program will continue in 2026.
Pigeon Point Wins National Lighthouse Dance-Off
Story from: Nicole Drake, Santa Cruz District
 Life is better when you dance, and even better when you dance at Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park (SHP). As part of our San Mateo coast community, Coastside Country Line Dancing helped the Pigeon Point Light Station enter the U.S. Lighthouse Society’s annual Lighthouse Dance-Off. The dancers got cowboy boots on the ground and moseyed us into a tie for first place.
This first-place win came with a $500 donation to Coastside State Parks Association (and eternal bragging rights, of course). Pigeon Point SHP collaborated with Coastside Country Line Dancing, which is a line dancing club based in Half Moon Bay. Its community participation is off the charts, and we are happy to share the park with all kinds of groups and people.
The light tower of Pigeon Point Light Station SHP is currently under construction, but Coastside Country Line Dancing came to show that California's state parks are for everyone — all the time! The dancers grapevined and rock-stepped down to Pigeon Point and highlighted the unbeatable environment here. Between the iconic lighthouse, the historic Fresnel lens and the waves crashing against Northern California’s rocky cliffs, Pigeon Point Light Station is bound to have something to make anyone stop in their tracks and gaze in awe.
Watch Pigeon Point's winning submission here. Watch the U.S. Lighthouse Society's video of all the winners.
 PARTNER NEWS
Parks California Reflects on 2025 and What to Look Forward to in 2026
Story from: Parks California
 Visitors at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Photo from Parks California.
Parks California rang in the new year reflecting on the milestones that shaped 2025 and sharing thanks to partners, tribal nations, community leaders, grantees and supporters who continued to support their efforts. In 2025, Parks California:
- Celebrated the sixth anniversary of Parks California’s first grant program, Route to Parks.
- Announced the 30 grantees of Arts in California Parks.
- Launched a grant program to support community-guided planning.
- Supported the 10-day Prescribed Fire Training Exchange.
- Continued to support a data tracking system for indicator species that are vital to our ecosystem.
- Continued to build the future of climate stewardship.
Read more about Parks California’s milestones and what’s coming up in 2026.
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