NEWS CLIPS

 The opinions and views expressed in the news stories of interest do not always reflect those of the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

News Stories of Interest 

California Department of Parks and Recreation 

Week of March 2, 2026 

The opinions and views expressed in the news stories of interest do not always reflect those of the California Department of Parks and Recreation 

Why a big bird could reignite California redwood trees feud: In July 2025, Quantum Limit filed a lawsuit against Okell Holdings for planting redwood trees “just a few feet away” from its property, which Quantum’s owner, Glenn Rice, said was like “dropping a bunker buster bomb” into his Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard. Sarah Neish, The Drinks Business, March 6, 2026 

Mendocino Coast State Parks Hosting Free Whale Festival Events Throughout March: Each March, the Mendocino Coast becomes one of the best places in Northern California to watch gray whales migrate north—and local state parks are hosting a series of free events to celebrate the spectacle. Zach O'Brien, Active NorCal, March 6, 2026 

Mystery as vandal beheads lilies at Instagram-famous California flower field: The mysterious attack in Garrapata State Park’s Calla Lily Valley targeted the area’s gorgeous calla lilies, which have attracted hordes of visitors during their viral spring bloom. Nina Joudeh, New York Post, March 5, 2026  

Signs of spring blooming at Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve after wet, warm winter: The warm and wet weather this winter has led to the start of a dazzling super bloom at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. Niku Kazori, ABC Los Angeles, March 5, 2026  

For the first time in a century, condors nest on Yurok land: The nest marks a milestone for the partnership between the Yurok Tribe and Redwood National and State Parks. Jefferson Public Radio, March 5, 2026  

Trump Poised to Preempt State Authority to Allow Sable to Restart Offshore Oil Production in Santa Barbara County: Department of Justice Issues Opinion Asserting That President or Secretary of Energy Can Use Defense Production Act to Restart Production Despite Unmet State Regulatory Requirements 

Nick Welsh, Santa Barbra Independent, Mar. 5, 2026 

State Seeks Public Input on General Plan for El Capitán, Refugio, Gaviota Parks: California State Parks is seeking public input on early planning concepts that will guide future management of three state parks along Santa Barbara County’s Gaviota Coast. Nick Forselles, Noozhawk, March 5, 2026  

Spring breaking in California’s Redwood National and State Parks: Covering over 130,000 acres of lush, verdant land between Crescent City and Orick, California, Redwood National and State Parks is worth the drive south, especially for upcoming long school breaks. Makenzie Whittle, The Bulletin, March 5, 2026 

Former Providence councilor wins $19M lawsuit from California crash. What to know.: A jury has awarded former Providence City Councilwoman Helen Anthony just shy of $19 million after finding that the California Department of Parks and Recreation was at fault when a docent hit and seriously injured Anthony in a crosswalk in 2023 (subscription required to access full story online). Katie Mulvaney, Providence Journal, March 5, 2026  

  • MORE COVERAGE: Boston Globe (subscription required)  

Control Efforts Begin for Aquatic Invasive Plants in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) announced its plans for this year’s control efforts for invasive aquatic plants in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its southern tributaries (Delta).   
Contra Costa News, March 5, 2026 

Someone Beheaded Blooms in Big Sur’s Calla Lily Valley: Tourists hoping to photograph Calla Lily Valley, one of California’s most Instagram-famous floral blooms, last week were instead greeted by an unusual scene. Rather than walking through brilliant white petals, they were met with the stalks of decapitated lilies, apparently chopped down under the cover of night. Owen Clarke, Outside Magazine, March 4, 2026  

Popular An~o Nuevo viewing area closes after bird flu infects elephant seals: California's An~o Nuevo State Park has temporarily closed access to the popular elephant seal viewing area north of Santa Cruz for the rest of the season after seven elephant seal pups tested positive for avian flu, marking the first outbreak of HPAI H5N1 in marine mammals in California (subscription required to access full story online). Noe Padilla, USA TODAY, March 4, 2026  

California state park's viral flower field destroyed overnight: On Monday morning, California State Parks chief ranger Mike Dippel began receiving alarming phone calls: Visitors reported that someone had chopped down all the flowers at Calla Lily Valley, a coastal ravine in Garrapata State Park on the north end of Big Sur where bunches of blooming calla lilies amass a mountain of social media virality every spring. Sam Mauhay-Moore, SFGATE, March 3, 2026  

Stanislaus joins TID in approving Turlock Lake reopening. Here’s when it’ll happen: Proposals for reopening Turlock Lake to recreation were approved Tuesday, clearing a hurdle to start seasonal recreation activities in summer 2027. The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors and the Turlock Irrigation District board both unanimously approved a 10-year joint agreement with the state to reopen Turlock Lake State Recreation Area. Ken Carlson, The Modesto Bee, March 3, 2026  

Wildflower explosion only 4 hours from LA — but it won’t last long: The sweeping carpets of color are also popping up all over the state at places like Anza-Borrego Desert State Park along Henderson Canyon Road and at Red Rock Canyon State Park, with displays of primroses and coreopsis on show. And for those not lucky enough to travel to one of California’s national parks, there’s also a PoppyCam live feed for visitors who want to check out the brilliant hills of orange blooms as they pop up at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve from mid-March to May. kjerkovichcap and Katie Jerkovich, California Post, March 3, 2026  

Viral Calla Lily Valley flowers cut down at Garrapata State Park: Calla Lily Valley at Garrapata State Park has long been a social media draw, with photos and videos of the blooms frequently going viral on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Now, California State Parks officials say some of the flowers have been damaged. Alicia Alvarez, KSBW, March 3, 2026  

Why the California superbloom is more 'a kind of hype' than actual science: California State Parks is warning visitors not to “Doom the Bloom.” Visitors should refrain from picking the flowers, park only in designated parking spots, avoid trampling the flowers and stay on designated trails. Olivia Harden, SFGATE, March 3, 3036 

This California national park is seeing best flowers since 2016 superbloom. The peak won’t last long: Death Valley National Park is experiencing its best wildflower bloom since the famed 2016 superbloom that brought carpets of color to the valley. Already the park is a riot of yellows and purples — and more is to come. Jack Lee, San Francisco Chronicle, March 3, 2026 

First Confirmed Cases of Bird Flu in California Elephant Seals Stoke Fear As Virus Surges Worldwide: Officials confirmed seven weaned northern elephant seal pups tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) amid a national surge of the deadly virus. Kiley Price, Inside Climate News, March 3, 2026  

Invasive Golden Mussels Continue to Plague Waterways: The Department of Water Resources is currently investigating methods to stop the spread, partnering with agencies like CDFW and California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways to inform boaters to clean, drain, and dry boats before entering and leaving waterways. Valley Ag Voice, Feb. 27, 2026  

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Announces Massive Expansion: California State Parks announced the permanent addition of 153 acres known as the NoraBella property to Big Basin Redwoods State Park, marking the first expansion of the park in more than a decade. Active NorCal, March 3, 2026  

2nd annual Women’s History Crawl happens in Sonoma this weekend: The second annual Women’s History Crawl will take place this week at the Sonoma State Historic Park’s Barracks. Ruchi Shahagadkar, The Sonoma Index-Tribune, March 2, 2026  

‘Huge moment’: Northern California’s first condor egg in 100 years reported in redwood tree: The 6-year-old condors tending to the nest, identified as A0 (or Ney-gem’ ‘Ne-chween-kah) and A1 (or Hlow Hoo-let), were among the first birds released into the wild as part of the Northern California Condor Restoration Program, a partnership between the Yurok Tribe and Redwood National and State Parks. Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, March 2, 2026  

Prescribed fire operations continue around Lake Tahoe: Prescribed fire operations continue this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin and will continue as long as conditions allow. South Tahoe Now, March 2, 2026 

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve reopens: After a four-month closure due to a construction project, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve reopened to the public this Sunday. Sergio Robles, FOX 5, Mar. 2, 2026 

Will There Be A Super Bloom In 2026? Here's What We Know: What we've discovered so far is that conditions may well be favorable for the deserts around California to put on their most magical display this year. Annette Hird, House Digest, Mar. 1, 2026 

State Park and Recreation Commission to host March 4 tour of Clear Lake State Park: The California State Park and Recreation Commission invites the community to join it this week as it tours Clear Lake State Park. Elizabeth Larson, Lake County News, Mar. 1, 2026 

San Pasqual Battlefield would be returned to tribe under state bill: The new Assembly bill specifically calls for the state to transfer ownership of the parcels it owns to tribal leadership at no cost and encourages the City of San Diego to transfer the remaining land to the tribe. Stacy Brandy, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Mar. 1, 2026 

11 Towns Perfect for Retirement in California: These towns and many more below show why California is a top choice to spend one's golden years. Brendan Cane, WorldAtlas, Mar. 1, 2026 

Tourist struck by Point Lobos park volunteer’s vehicle is awarded $18.8 million: Injuries from the crash forced the elected official from Rhode Island to resign so she could focus on recovery. Chase Hunter, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Feb. 28, 2026 

Malibu takes legal action against Los Angeles in sweeping civil complaint: In a sweeping civil complaint filed by the City of Malibu against Los Angeles and a half a dozen agencies, accusing them of “unlawful conduct” causing the Palisades Fire to ignite and spread into Malibu, the city is trying to recoup losses that affect “the long-term fiscal implications for Malibu and its taxpayers.” Judy Abel, Malibu Times, Feb. 28, 2026 

California's Dockwalker Program on The Boating Hour (podcast): Learn about California's Dockwalker program during this episode of The Boating Hour with Captain Rick. We'll talk to Vivian Mantuk, program manager for the Dockwalker program, and learn about the importance of this program to promote safe and sustainable boating in California. The Boating Hour Podcast (KRLA Radio), Feb. 28, 2026 

Bird flu detected in elephant seals along Bay Area coast: Researchers from UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz this week confirmed elephant seal pups along the South Bay coast—at Año Nuevo State Park–have tested positive for bird flu. 

Capitol Public Radio, Feb. 27, 2026 

The Gateway To Northern California's Redwoods Is A Recreation Area With Camping And Hiking: As you drive north on Highway 101 and reach Leggett, you might want to linger for a couple of days to admire the redwoods at Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area. Anahid Akkam, Islands, Feb. 27, 2026