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 August 17, 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.

Trump's week in review: 'Economic D-Day' in Iran; plans to meet with Kim Jong Un:Trump meets with lifeguard who saved 10-year-old boy swept up in heavy surf
Ryan Foley, The Christian Post, Aug. 21, 2026

California Conservation Corps crew leader supports firefighters behind the fireline in Colorado, 1,000 miles from home:Through partnerships with California State Parks, Caltrans, county and city departments, local school districts, and area non-profits, corps members work on projects and assignments ranging from disaster response and wildfire support to trail work, flood preparation and community infrastructure. 

Ashley Na, CBS8, Aug. 20, 2026

Diablo Range Named Official California Conservation Priority:The California legislature approved the designation for the 2oo-mile range, deeming conservation critical for climate goals.

Micheal Wittner, Patch, Aug. 20, 2026

This Picturesque Town North of San Francisco Feels Straight Out of ‘Gilmore Girls’:Mill Valley has redwoods, coastal views, and some of the best hiking trails in California.

Kat Stinson, Travel and Leisure, Aug. 20, 2026

Timber Fire grows to 5,772 acres in Big Sur as crews continue to make progress:The Timber Fire grew to 5,772 acres as of Thursday morning as crews continued to make progress on the blaze.

Stephanie Zappelli, The Tribune, Aug. 20, 2026

Annual Butterfly Ball raises funds for parks, conservation programs: The Central Coast State Parks Association will celebrate its 50th anniversary during the seventh annual Butterfly Ball from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at The Octagon Barn in San Luis Obispo.

Paso Robles Daily News, Aug. 20, 2026

The Teen Lifeguard From That Viral Santa Cruz Rescue Just Went to the White House: President Trump hosted Williams and 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai, the boy he pulled from the surf, at the White House after video of the July 25 rescue in Santa Cruz racked up millions of views. Both families made the trip, along with California State Parks officials including Aaron Bohnen, the second lifeguard who charged into the water that day.

Active NorCal, Aug. 19, 2026

  • Additional Coverage: NY Post (Video)

Big Sur parks closed for Timber Fire as firefighters use state parks as base camps: Some of the most popular parks in Big Sur, which would normally be teeming with campers and day-trippers and have sold-out reservations, are now closed to the public as they take on a key role for firefighters and command staff on the front lines of the Timber Fire.

Felix Cortez, KSBW, Aug. 19, 2026

California State Parks offering free pass for fourth-graders:California fourth-grade families can now add a California State Parks pass to their back-to-school shopping list — for free.

Mammoth Tmes, Aug. 19, 2026

Trump praises 16-year-old lifeguard who saved a boy in California, then bashes a CNN reporter: Trump praised 16-year-old Ryder Williams, who rescued the boy in Santa Cruz last month and was told on Monday he’d receive a “high civilian honor” for the rescue.

Summer Lin, LA Times, Aug. 18, 2026

California expands free state park pass program for fourth graders: California fourth graders and their families will have free access to state parks again this year.

Diana Lambert, EdSource, Aug. 18, 2026

California State Parks opens grant applications to help expand outdoor spaces, recreational opportunities: California State Parks on Tuesday announced they will be accepting applications for federal grants that could bring approximately $27.5 million to expand outdoor spaces and recreational opportunities across the state.

Will Anderson, Action News Now, Aug. 18, 2026

Lake Tahoe’s Boat-In Campground Puts You in Emerald Bay After the Crowds Leave: Tucked on the bay’s north shore at the site of the old Emerald Bay Resort, the boat-in campground offers 20 lakefront tent sites that can only be reached by water or by hiking the Rubicon Trail from D.L. Bliss State Park.

Active NorCal, Aug. 18, 2026

Celebrate the mining life at Miner’s Picnic: On Saturday, August 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., participate in a treasured local tradition at Empire Mine State Historic Park! (Copy of Press Release)

The Union, Aug. 18, 2026

Sonoma Barracks to host ‘Monarchs and Marigolds’ as part of Day of the Dead, Hispanic Heritage Month events: California State Parks will host the first ever “Monarchs and Marigolds” event later this month. (Subscription Required)

Ruchi Shahagadkar, Sonoma Index-Tribune, Aug. 18, 2026

Trump Honors Teen Lifeguard at White House After Daring Santa Cruz Rescue: The 16-year-old was joined at the Oval Office on Monday by the 10-year-old he pulled from the surf last month at Seabright State Beach.

Ayah Ali-Ahmad, KQED, Aug. 17, 2026

Boat headed for Folsom Lake stopped after inspectors find invasive golden mussels: A vessel with golden mussels was stopped Saturday by marine inspectors before it reached the water at Folsom Lake after the invasive species was found attached to the craft.

Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, Aug. 17, 2026

Stripped of sand, decades-old infrastructure ‘relics’ pop up at the Wedge in Newport Beach: The storm swells come amid a growing El Niño, a climate pattern characterized by warming ocean waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific, as well as increased rainfall.

Ruben Vives, LA Times, Aug. 17, 2026

Poetry in Parks brings free cultural programming to Tahoe City: Poetry, music and art come together on the shores of Lake Tahoe on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 3 to 5 p.m. for Poetry in Parks presented by California State Parks at William B. Layton State Park in Tahoe City. (Copy of Press Release)

Sierra Sun, Aug. 17, 2026

Pigeon Point Lighthouse Rebuilt from the Inside Out: At Pigeon Point Light Station, 50 miles south of San Francisco, 16 ornamental brackets are awaiting installation.

L.L. Poirier, ENR West, Aug. 17, 2026

Heroic 16-year-old lifeguard who saved child to be recognized at White House: Ryder Williams, a 16-year-old lifeguard who was seen rescuing a child in the California surf last month, is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Monday at the White House.

Megan Fahrney, ABC, Aug. 17, 2026

Boat with invasive golden mussels intercepted at Folsom Lake decontamination site: The boat was brought in for a decontamination and tagging, a process required before entering the lake, when crews found the invasive species

Peyton Headlee, KCRA, Aug. 17, 2026

SDG&E wants to put a powerline through Anza-Borrego State Park. Opposition is mounting: San Diego Gas and Electric’s plan to build a high voltage power line across San Diego County through sensitive habitats in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has ignited a backlash among park advocates, residents and politicians across the region.

Philip Salata, iNewsSource, Aug. 17, 2026

Redwood National and State Parks Announce Fall 2026 Artists-in-Residence: The National Park Service, in cooperation with California State Parks and Redwood Parks Conservancy, are excited to announce that Diana Heise of Kansas City, Missouri; Bobby Lee of Santa Ana, California; Nick Vasquez of Oakland, California have been selected as Redwood National & State Parks’ Fall 2026 artists-in-residence. (Copy of Press Release)

Redheaded Blackbelt, Aug. 17, 2026

Fire lines at Partington Ridge are holding as Timber Fire is 15-percent contained: As of 7am Sunday, Aug. 16, U.S. Forest Service officials report that the Timber Fire in Big Sur has burned 4,869 acres and is 15-percent contained, and that fire lines built by hand and with bulldozers to protect the residential neighborhood at Partington Ridge are holding.

Sara Rubin, Monterey County Now, Aug. 16, 2026

Free Fourth Grade Pass now available for California students, provides unlimited free visits to 54 state parks: California fourth-grade families can now add a free state parks pass to their back-to-school shopping list.

Will Anderson, Action News Now, Aug. 15, 2026

Inside the eerie American ghost town where stolen souvenirs are blamed for illness and ruin: The abandoned Gold Rush town of Bodie is said to be one of the most cursed places in America. According to local legend, anyone who removes so much as a rock, nail or speck of dust from the California ghost town will be struck by terrible misfortune.

Rob Waugh, Daily Mail, Aug. 15, 2026

Crews work to restore Big Basin trails following massive fire: In the last six years since the CZU Lightning Complex fire humbled the giant redwoods of Big Basin Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the park has slowly crawled back to life.

Joe Rosato Jr., NBC Bay Area, Aug. 14, 2026

These CA Beaches Have Highest Risk For Theft, Study Says: One California beach is among the most theft-prone in the nation, according to a new study.

Miranda Ceja, Patch, Aug. 14, 2026

Meet Nicolette Hayes, Jack London State Historic Park’s Lifetime Champion: Nicolette Hayes literally grew up inside Jack London State Historic Park. Now she brings an intimate understanding of the park as a new nonprofit board member.

Meg McConahey, Sonoma Magazine, Aug. 14, 2026