SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California State Parks graduated 17 cadets in Paradise, California, on Friday, April 12, who will "Live the Parks Life" as rangers and lifeguards in the country's largest state park system. From the program's beginning on September 5, 2023, this class has stayed committed to their responsibility as keepers of the state's most valuable natural and cultural resources as they advance to the next stage of their careers. Their class motto is “Live with honor, serve with pride.”

California State Parks, the California Arts Council, and Parks California today announced the launch of a new Arts in California Parks grants program – the Local Parks Grant Program. A total of $8 million in grants is available to local non-profit and community organizations to support art and cultural programs in local communities across the state.

California State Parks today announced the department is developing a comprehensive general plan for the future of Clear Lake State Park in Lake County. The plan will enrich the visitor experience, address critical resource management and infrastructure needs, and incorporate public input into decisions about the park’s future direction. An initial step to gathering public input is an online survey that is now open until May 15, 2024, in English and Spanish.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., — With more than 200 events, the public is invited to celebrate the third annual California State Parks Week, June 12-16, presented by California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League, Parks California, and California State Parks Foundation.

Due to the road slip out on Highway 1 at Rocky Creek in Monterey County, all State Parks in the Big Sur Area are now closed to day use and camping. That includes Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Limekiln State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Point Sur State Historic Park.

California State Parks today announced a grant opportunity to fund projects near military bases to acquire, or acquire and develop, lands for public outdoor recreation, and increase resilience to climate change through recreation. A total of $40 million is available, nationwide, from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) grant program. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, state agencies, and park districts and special districts with authority to acquire, operate and maintain public park and recreation areas.

Orick, CA (March 19, 2024) — Today the Yurok Tribe, Save the Redwoods League, National Park Service and California State Parks signed a landmark memorandum of understanding, a historic first step toward transferring ‘O Rew, a 125-acre ecologically and culturally important property, from Save the Redwoods League back to its original steward, the Yurok Tribe. In addition, the agreement describes the four partners’ shared vision for long-term co-management of the site as a gateway for the visiting public to the adjacent Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP). This would be a first-ever cooperative arrangement for the National Park Service and California State Parks on tribe-owned land. The partners envision building a new visitor and cultural center and trails at ‘O Rew that will highlight the distinct histories and cultures of local tribes.

California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications to help local public entities enhance safety on California’s waterways and protect them from abandoned and unwanted vessels. Up to $4.25 million total is available in grant funding. The application period for the competitive grant programs, Boating Safety and Enforcement Equipment (BSEE) and Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE), is open through Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and its partners are encouraging off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts to “Share the Trails,” the theme for the upcoming Spring OHV Safety Week, taking place from March 23 to 31. This semiannual event promotes safe and responsible OHV recreation across California's dedicated OHV public lands. This year’s theme reminds OHV recreational users to focus on sharing the responsibility of following safety protocols and protecting the state’s natural resources.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—California State Parks today announced the selection of 19 local projects that will receive grants totaling $6.7 million from the California Habitat Conservation Fund Grant Program. These grants will help local agencies with the protection, restoration, and enhancement of wildlife habitat to maintain California’s quality of life. Since 1990, approximately $84 million has been allocated to habitat conservation projects throughout California.