Honoring the Life and Career of State Park Ranger Patricia M. Scully
Story from: Tyler Hersko, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 Left: Patricia M. Scully, State Park Ranger I. Top and bottom right: Scully converses with visitors at a state park. Photos courtesy of the family of Patricia M. Scully.
The State Capitol grounds hosted the annual California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony on May 4, where family and friends gathered to honor the lives of California peace officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Three State Park Rangers have been killed in the line of duty: State Park Ranger I Patricia M. Scully; State Park Ranger II Richard D. Schnurr; and State Park Ranger II George Kowatch III. All three were killed in traffic collisions.
For California Peace Officer Memorial Day 2026, State Parks reflected on the life and career of Ranger Scully, who served in the department as a badged officer from March 21, 1975, to May 6, 1976.
Scully was born on April 8, 1951, in Sacramento. She grew up on a family-owned poultry ranch in Rio Linda and attended American River College for two years, where she played on the field hockey team with her sister, Mary. She then transferred to California State University (CSU), Sacramento and received her bachelor of arts degree in social science and anthropology in January 1974. Scully received scholarships and awards of merit for her academic achievements during her college tenure.
Scully joined State Parks after earning her bachelor’s degree and was one of two women among the 38 cadets to graduate from Parks and Recreation Academy Class 18 in late 1974. Scully was passionate about environmental preservation and worked on a historical survey of Año Nuevo State Park during her time outside work.
Scully’s final assignment was at Pescadero State Beach in Half Moon Bay on the San Mateo coast. Outside of work, Scully was working on a master's degree in anthropology and environmental resources at CSU Sacramento at the time of her death. Scully was killed by a drunk driver on May 6, 1976, while patrolling the San Mateo coast state beaches; she was 25. A section of Highway 1 north of San Gregorio in San Mateo County was dedicated in honor of Scully via a Senate Resolution introduced in 2012.
State Parks honors the life and career of Scully, as well as the lives and careers of Schnurr, Kowatch, and all of the state’s peace officers who have died in the line of duty. Thank you for your service; you will not be forgotten.
 The United States flag is carried during the Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony at the State Capitol on May 4. Photo from Tyler Hersko.
San Diego County Honors Fallen Officers at 2026 Regional Law Enforcement Memorial
Story and photo from: Waldemar Jacob Pflepsen III, Colorado District
 Left to right: State Park Peace Officers (SPPOs) (Rangers) Nathan Cooper and Andrew Ferreira (Colorado Desert District), SPPO (Lifeguard) Nick Hamilton (San Diego Coast District) and State Park Superintendent III W. Jacob Pflepsen III (Colorado Desert District).
San Diego County held its annual Regional Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony on May 6, honoring state, federal, tribal and local law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty within the county. The memorial is unique in its broad recognition of service, commemorating not only California peace officers or members of a single agency, but all fallen law enforcement personnel who served in San Diego County. This spirit of inclusivity reflects the region itself, home to 18 federally recognized tribal reservations, seven major military installations and the busiest international border crossing in the Western Hemisphere.
A wide range of law enforcement agencies work together to serve and protect this complex and dynamic region in the southwestern corner of the United States.
Among those remembered during the ceremony was State Park Ranger George Kowatch III of Colorado Desert District, honored alongside fallen federal agents, sheriff’s deputies and 2025 memorial inductee Officer Lauren Craven of the La Mesa Police Department.
State park peace officers from Colorado Desert and San Diego Coast districts were honored to represent the department during the annual memorial event.
China Camp State Park Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Story from: Andreas Agocs, Communications and Marketing Division
 Top left: The staff who made the event a success, from left to right, Relevancy and History Program Interpreter Adam Brodner, Friends of China Camp (FOCC) Park Manager Chris Young, FOCC Program Coordinator Carly Jackson-Clark, Bay Area Deputy Superintendent Cara O'Brien, State Parks Director Armando Quintero, Interpreter I Cynthia Pu, FOCC Executive Director Martin Lowenstein and Interpreter I Deborah Lee. Top and bottom right: The Marin Chinese Cultural Association Lion Dance Team were a crowd attraction. Middle bottom: Mahjong tables invited attendees to test their skills. Bottom left: The FOCC table. All photos from Brian Baer, Communications and Marketing Division.
China Camp State Park (SP) kicked off Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with a celebration on May 3. State Parks partners and community organizations with ties to the park were represented at several tables, including the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, the Marin History Museum, Angel Island SP and Friends of China Camp (FOCC), the nonprofit that operates the park and cohosted the event.
FOCC Executive Director Martin Lowenstein and Bay Area District Deputy Superintendent Cara O’Brien opened the day’s activities by emphasizing the park’s significance in the past and present. China Camp SP protects some of the last remaining tidal salt marshes in the San Francisco Bay Area, while its historic China Camp Village preserves the remnants of the last Chinese American shrimp-fishing community on the shores of San Pablo Bay. Celebrating AAPI Heritage month at the park with its unique history embodies the values of “community, connections and caring” said O’ Brien in her opening remarks.
Minutes later, the sounds of Chinese drums and cymbals filled the air above San Pablo Bay, when the Marin Chinese Cultural Association Lion Dance Team stunned both children and adults with their skillful, athletic and imaginative performance. A bingo contest offered the chance to win prizes, while several mahjong tables drew crowds of kids and grown-ups alike.
Inside the China Camp Village Museum, which is housed in the former shrimp cooling facility, a presentation by David Lei from the Chinese Historical Society of America placed China Camp into the context of the wider Chinese American experience. Chinese shrimping villages around the San Pablo Bay were not isolated or remote but part of a global network that at one point supplied shrimp for Chinatowns as far away as Manila, Lima and Australia.
Elizabeth Lee, vice president of programs and development of the nonprofit CyArk, presented the innovative virtual guided tour of China Camp, produced in collaboration with State Parks and FOCC. CyArk used video, photogrammetry and lidar technology to make the village come alive in 3D. As climate change and sea level rise threaten coastal resources like China Camp Village, the digital tour makes the park accessible to new audiences and future generations.
China Camp Village’s past came to life during a walking tour with Milton Quan. The Quan family, who ran the village’s general store and café that still operates on weekends in the park, is closely connected to China Camp. Milton’s older brother Frank was the last remaining resident of China Camp Village at the time when the property became a state park in 1977. Frank kept living in the park until his passing in 2016.
During the tour, the 91-year-old Milton Quan was every bit as lively and spirited as during his youth in the 1940s and ‘50s. He shared memories of a life that centered on the bounty of shrimp and the strong women in the Quan family, but also included the encounter and friendship with actor John Wayne, who shot a Hollywood movie at China Camp in 1950. “When I was a kid, life was incredible,” said Quan, repeatedly.
Learn more about China Camp SP in the latest Adventure of the Month blog. Find more California state parks with connections to AAPI heritage here.
 Clockwise from top left: View of historic China Camp Village; the Quan family's house facing the beach; Milton Quan in front of the family's former general store and cafe; Quan with Director Quintero; the Quan family in 1943, with the then 9-year-old Milton in the front row on the right.
Connecting Homeschooled Students to MacKerricher State Park
Story from: Kat Gabrielson, Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District
 Left: Interpreter I Kenzi Lamb, ready to teach students about the wonderful life and survival of harbor seals. Right: Interpreter I Steve Jahelka helps an excited student spot colorful tide pool creatures. Photos from Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District.
The Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District Interpretive Team launched a new pilot program with a splash this spring: Homeschool Field Trip Day. Designed with local homeschool families in mind, the event brought together the best of our hands-on K-12 programs into a single day — making the most of those precious daytime low tides and opening the door for more students to explore the coast.
A total of 98 participants joined us for a day of discovery centered on the amazing adaptations of tide pool creatures and marine mammals. At the welcome station, students picked up materials to guide their adventure. From there, families journeyed between stations: dreaming up and drawing fantastical ocean animals perfectly suited for survival, exploring real tide pools alongside interpretive guides, and quietly observing harbor seal mothers and pups at the rookery through binoculars.
The day was filled with curiosity, creativity and a sense of wonder at the many ways life thrives along the coast. As we look ahead to next spring, the team is excited to grow this program even further. Behind the scenes, post-event reflections are already shaping improvements — from adding name tags to help connect homeschooled groups to weaving in clearer themes, safety tips and wayfinding clues — so that next year’s experience is even smoother, safer and more magical.
California State Parks K-9 Program Marks 57 Years of Excellence
Story and photos from: Mike Gleckler, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 2026 K-9 program participants.
The California State Parks K-9 Program is now in its 57th year, standing as one of the longest-running and largest K-9 programs in the state. With 15 teams currently on the roster, the program continues to play a vital role in supporting public safety and resource protection across the California’s State Park System.
The department’s K-9 teams gathered in San Luis Obispo on April 29-30 for their annual patrol qualifications. The Peace Officer Standards and Training and State Parks evaluations highlighted another strong showing, with teams demonstrating a high level of professionalism and skill. Each K-9 team was required to exhibit proficiency in obedience, patrol operations, and searching and tracking, core competencies essential to their work in the field. The performances reflected the significant time, training and dedication required to meet and exceed qualification standards.
Each year, two teams are recognized for their outstanding achievements. The Mike Callen Top Dog Team Award honors the team with the best overall performance at qualifications and throughout the year, while the Dave Graham Achievement Award recognizes the team that has shown the most improvement, as selected by their peers.
State Parks would like to recognize the dedicated teams of the California State Parks K-9 Program:
- Michael Cueto and K-9 Zehn (patrol), Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division (LEESD) Special Enforcement Team
- Sgt. Thomas Cunningham and K-9 Doc (patrol and explosives detection), Monterey District
- Benjamin Ellis and K-9 Jerry (patrol and explosives detection), San Luis Obispo Coast District
- Gabe Garcia and K-9 Lui (patrol and narcotics detection), Channel Coast District
- Martin Gilbertson and K-9 Ivan (patrol and narcotics detection), Sierra District
- Mark James and K-9 Yukon (patrol and narcotics detection), Gold Fields District
- Brian Lane and K-9 Freddie (patrol and narcotics detection), San Diego Coast District
- Alexandra Thomas and K9 Rex (patrol and narcotics detection), North Coast Redwoods District
- Kyle Meza and K-9 Ghost (patrol and explosives detection), Central Valley District
- Matt Pasquarella and K-9 Hugo (patrol and explosives detection), Capital District
- Raymond Rathjen-Gonzales and K-9 Bak (patrol and narcotics detection), Oceano Dunes District
- Matthew Sage and K-9 Pyro (patrol and explosives detection), Orange Coast District
- Janessa Sederquist and K-9 Oz (patrol and firearms detection) Northern Buttes District
- Sgt. Angelica Stevens and K-9 Arrow (patrol and explosives detection), Orange Coast District
- Brett Weber and K-9 Rino (patrol), LEESD Special Enforcement Team
For those interested in learning more about the K-9 Program, please contact the Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division: Assistant Chief Mike Gleckler (michael.gleckler@parks.ca.gov) or Captain Sasha Wessitsh (sasha.wessitsh@parks.ca.gov) or visit the K-9 Program page.
 This year’s Mike Callen Top Dog Team Award was presented to Ranger Kyle Meza and K-9 Ghost (left) from Millerton Lake State Recreation Area (Central Valley District). The Dave Graham Achievement Award was awarded to Ranger Benjamin Ellis and K-9 Jerry (right) from Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument (San Luis Obispo Coast District).
A Heartfelt Thank You to Field Personnel for Supporting Dispatch Staff
Story from: NORCOM and SURCOM
 The Northern Communications Center (NORCOM) and Southern Communications Center (SURCOM) extend a heartfelt thank you to field personnel for their support and generosity in recognizing communications staff during Dispatcher Appreciation Week (April 12-18), and for their ongoing partnership throughout the year.
Throughout Dispatcher Appreciation Week, staff enjoyed a steady stream of food and treats generously provided by both supervisors and field personnel. These gestures created a welcoming and appreciative atmosphere that staff looked forward to each day. Among the highlights was a raffle featuring a variety of donated prizes, which brought excitement, engagement and a sense of camaraderie across both NORCOM and SURCOM.
We also recognize and thank the California State Park Rangers Association and the State Parks Anniversary Committee for their gracious donations and support in helping make this celebration possible. Their contributions played a key role in enhancing the week and ensuring it was meaningful for our staff.
Most importantly, this week served as a reminder of the strength of our partnership. The coordination, communication and mutual respect between dispatch and the field remain the foundation of our success. While we are often the voice on the radio, it is your work in the field that brings every response to life. Thank you!
Earth Month Highlights from Angeles District
Story and photos from: Angeles District
 State Parks staff posing for the Point Dume State Beach volunteer event hosted on April 4 during Earth Month.
Angeles District had an impactful Earth Month in April, bringing together community members, partners and park staff for a wide range of events celebrating stewardship, education and connection to nature. From coastal restoration to campfire storytelling, the month showcased the many ways people can engage with and care for public lands.
Earth Month events kicked off April 4 with a volunteer weeding event at Point Dume State Beach (SB), where participants worked with State Parks staff to remove invasive euphorbia and support the recovery of sensitive coastal bluff ecosystems. That same day, families gathered at Pío Pico State Historic Park (SHP) for a lively campfire program featuring hands-on activities, storytelling and community connection. Angeles District was also visited by the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership, where members from around the world toured Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook.
Mid-month events on April 18 highlighted both environmental action and cultural engagement. At Los Angeles SHP, volunteers celebrated Earth Day by caring for "A Monument to Sharing," tending fruit trees that contribute to an urban food forest and promote climate resilience. Nearby, visitors participated in the Power of Pollinators event and fruit tree adoption program. Meanwhile, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook hosted a Cityscape to Campfire Stroll, blending community science, nature exploration and storytelling. That evening, Malibu Creek State Park (SP) welcomed visitors for a special "M*A*S*H" screening with series actor Jeff Maxwell, offering a unique look at the park’s role in film history.
On April 25, Will Rogers SHP featured a full day of celebrations with family-friendly activities, historical programs and opportunities to connect with the park’s natural and cultural heritage. That same evening, Wonderfest at Malibu Creek SP brought together National Geographic Explorers for an inspiring campfire storytelling experience centered on curiosity and conservation. The month concluded with a peaceful and educational bird walk at Malibu Lagoon SB on April 26, welcoming participants of all experience levels to observe local and migratory species. Across the district, Earth Month reflected a shared commitment to stewardship, learning and community. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this month such a success.
 Clockwise from left: Park Maintenance Worker Marvin Mendez and State Park and Recreation Specialist Brenda Yancour at Los Angeles SHP; volunteers work to beautify the area around "A Monument to Sharing" at Los Angeles SHP; Jigsaw Farms returns to Will Rogers SHP.
Owl Rescue at Sonoma State Historic Park
Story and photos from: Juan-Pablo Perez, Bay Area District
 Left: An exhausted owl suspended upside down caught in fencing. Right: A free owl ready to fly.
During our staff meeting on April 16, my coworker Management Services Technician Dana Bravo got a text from Park Maintenance Worker I Paublin Aguilar about an owl stuck in a fence. Dana and I left the meeting early to assess the situation.
I was able to determine there were no sign of serious injury or any open wounds on the owl. Because the owl was not moving and upside down, I knew it had been in that position for a couple hours minimum. With all the blood going to its head, it was clearly exhausted and fatigued.
I quickly grabbed welding gloves and scissors. I held on to the owl’s talons while Paublin made cuts into the fence. Once we freed the owl from the fence, I laid it down on the ground and continued removing the remaining fence pieces. Once we were certain that the owl’s talons were completely free, I carefully scooped it up and slowly brought it to a vertical position. We could all see by the reaction on the owl’s face that it was slowly regaining his bearings and making sense of his surroundings.
Within about 10-15 minutes, the owl was back to normal. Although still a bit fatigued, it remained calm and never once tried to retaliate. We made the decision to release it just a couple hundred feet from the fence line, as this owl is native to the area. I placed it on a pile of wood pieces and it flew off. Big thanks to Dana Bravo, Paublin Aguilar and Senior Park Aide April Farnham for assisting with the rescue.
Parks California Launches 'Caring for California, Together' Campaign
Story from: Debbie Song, Parks California
 Visitors at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Photo from Parks California.
Parks California this week launched "Caring for California, Together," a new statewide engagement campaign that spotlights how people, communities and partners across California are working together to care for the state’s natural and cultural places.
The campaign reflects a shared understanding that public lands are not cared for by any one organization alone. Through partnership, collaboration and community connection, Californians are helping expand access, support cultural experiences and strengthen climate resilience across the state.
Community members, staff, partners and organizations are invited to use the digital toolkit, complete with language and graphics Parks California developed to share how they care for California’s public lands and participate in the campaign.
To mark the launch, Parks California released a new video that brings this collective effort to life, showcasing programs and partnerships connecting people to public lands and to each other. Learn more about the campaign by reading our latest press release.
  
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