group

 

Director's Recognition Awards   |  Award Categories & Descriptions   |  Award Sponsors  |  19th Annual Director's Recognition Awards

2002   |  2003   |  2005   |  2006   |  2007   |  2008   |  2009   |  2010   |  2012   |  2013   |  2014   |  2015-2016  |  2017  |  18th Annual

 

Adaptation Award

Recognizes those who have taken remarkable steps in preparing for and protecting against the adverse and imminent consequences of climate change.

Dr. Reinhard E. Flick

Division of Boating and Waterways and

Natural Resources Division

Dr. Flick is recognized for his decades-long tenure of the only state-funded oceanography program which has produced a body of knowledge used by organizations ranging from local agencies to the State Legislature and the National Academy of Sciences. Thanks to his research on coastal flooding, we know more about which state beaches and recreation areas are expected to be submerged and when. 

flick

Ingenuity Award

Recognizes craftmanship and expert application of hands-on technique.

Patrick Metcalf

Gold Fields District

Patrick is recognized for his dedication, creativity and technical expertise for spearheading the acquisition and installation of a new sawmill at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in 2017.

patrick

Innovation Award

Recognizes those who have found new and exciting ways to respond to changes and accomplish the despartments mission.

California State Parks Backpacking Adventures Program

Santa Cruz District

The California State Parks Backpacking Adventures Program is recognized for offering the only guided backpacking trips available to the public led by State Parks professionals, setting a direct example of environmental stewardship and high-quality outdoor recreation. 

caspba

Partnership Award

Recognizes partners—support organizations, teams or individuals—who have demonstrated a high level of commitment over a substantial period of time toward accomplishing department's mission.

Tina Conway - Field Trip Foundation

Santa Cruz District 

Through Tina's Field Trip Foundation, she has made it possible for income eligble families to visit Año Nuevo State Park and experience the elephant seal season. 

conway

Professional Integrity Award

Recognizes employees who have demonstrated a high degree of honesty, integrity and idealism in the face of adverse pressure. 

Julia Miura 

San Diego Coast District 

Julia is recognized for helping to reform the entire special events program at the San Diego Coast District and for her commitment to detail, thoroughness, honesty and hard work.

miura

Resilience Award

Honors an indivdiual or team who tirelessly and valiantly rose to enormous challenges during an emergency response situation and/or recovery effort.

Northern Buttes District 

The Northern Buttes District Staff is honored for rising to enormous challenges during the 2018 Camp Fire. Through selfless courage and commitment they have preserved California's natural and cultural resources while also protecting the public and California's communities. 

nbd

 

Trailblazer Award

Recognizes those who have intorduced new ideas or methods to accomplish the mission of State Parks or pioneered ways to introduce the public to California's outdoors.

Denise Jaffke

Sierra District

Cultural Resources Division 

Denise is recognized for leading the way and navigating new technologies to convey the unique value of California's submerged cultural resources while building the Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Program. 

jaffke

 

Special Commendation Award 

Recognizes employees who have made a significant contribution by going above and beyond the norm and made a substantial impact. 

Leo Carrillo Woolsey Fire Recovery Team

Angeles District

The Leo Carrillo Woolsey Fire Recovery Team is honored for working together to address the restoration and recovery of Leo Carrillo State Park after the 2018 Woolsey Fire. 

lc

Special Commendation Award 

Recognizes employees who have made a significant contribution by going above and beyond the norm and made a substantial impact. 

Curt J. Linse

Oceano Dunes District

Curt is being recognized for helping not only protect park resources, but also creating high-quality recreation for all visitors, particularly for our visitors with disabilities throughout his 30 year career with State Parks. 

linse
 

Special Commendation Award 

Recognizes employees who have made a significant contribution by going above and beyond the norm and made a substantial impact. 

State Park Peace Officer

Response to Camp Fire 

Multiple divisions and districts 

The State Park Peace Officers from various divisions and districts are being honored for working under extremely dangerous and high-pressure situations during the 2018 Camp Fire. They helped save numerous lives and homes. 

sppo

Special Act-Service Award

Recognizes employees who have performed an extraordinary act of heroism extending far above the normal call of duty or service. 

Bernadette Davis, Matthew Khalar, and Brian Powell

Monterey District

This award honors Davis, Khalar and Powell who at great risk of their own safety, courageously acted to protect park visitors at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. 

bigsur

Special Act-Service Award

Recognizes employees who have performed an extraordinary act of heroism extending far above the normal call of duty or service. 

Keven Harder

North Coast Redwoods District

Keven is recognized for saving the life of a surfer in great distress at Moonstone Beach in the Trinidad area. 

harder

Special Act-Service Award

Recognizes employees who have performed an extraordinary act of heroism extending far above the normal call of duty or service. 

Sarah Tichy

Northern Buttes District 

Sarah is recognized for saving a boy's life while off-duty, she took immediate action when she saw the boy was unresponsive. 

tichy

Special Act-Service Award

Recognizes employees who have performed an extraordinary act of heroism extending far above the normal call of duty or service. 

Andrew Ahlberg 

Ocotillo Wells District

Andrew is honored for helping rescue a motorist critically injured in a remote area of Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area. 

ahlberg

Special Act-Service Award

Recognizes employees who have performed an extraordinary act of heroism extending far above the normal call of duty or service. 

James Carey and Ryan Randar

Sierra District

Carey and Randar are recognized for working together to bravely rescue a drowning victim at South Yuba River State Park.

 

randarcarey

Special Act-Service Award

Recognizes employees who have performed an extraordinary act of heroism extending far above the normal call of duty or service. 

Ean Miller 

Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District

Ean is honored for saving multiple lives in two seperate rescue incidents in the Sonoma-Mendocino Coast area. 

miller