California State Parks and partners invite marina and yacht club operators to learn how to properly respond to an oil spill by attending an oil response communication seminar. Seminars, being held between March and June of this year, will teach participants the proper response skills to avoid dangerous environmental and public health issues during an oil spill. Advance registration is required.

The California State Historical Resources Commission (Commission) will consider eight historic places for federal historic designation at its next commission meeting being held on Friday, January 31 in Sacramento. The Commission meeting will be held at 9 a.m. in the auditorium of the Natural Resources Building, located at 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento (95814).

The California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) is pleased to announce the five recipients of the 2019 Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards. Each of the projects represents exemplary achievements on behalf of preserving California’s richly diverse heritage.

The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications from public government agencies for the purchase and deployment of floating restrooms on California waterways. Interested applicants should review the grant guidelines and submit a grant application to DBW’s office by Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 at 5 p.m. PST.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) has taken an important step at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) to improve air quality conditions for nearby communities. On Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, State Parks began fencing off 48 acres around an area commonly referred to as the foredune area (Post 4-1/2 to Post 6) to meet a Jan. 1, 2020 San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Stipulated Order of Abatement (SOA) deadline. It is important for the public to know that the department will be honoring all current reservations at the SVRA. Additionally, the off-highway vehicle riding area will not be impacted by the closure of the foredune area.  

Looking to burn off some holiday calories and start the new year on the right foot? California State Parks invites the public to absorb the wonders of nature with a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day. Dedicated docents, volunteers and staff will be providing about 50 hikes at state parks throughout California. 

The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications for shoreline erosion control and public beach restoration projects. The deadline to submit applications for funding in fiscal year 2021/22 is Monday, Dec. 16, 2019.

California State Parks is proud to announce it has connected more than 500,000 students to state parks via virtual field trips since 2004. The grassroots program known as Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students (PORTS®) engages underserved students by creating equitable digital access to state parks at no cost to schools, teachers or students.

California State Parks is honoring the service of veterans, as well as active and reserve personnel, by offering free admission to 144 state parks on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11. 

California State Parks has closed Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park due to the Getty Fire burning in Los Angeles County. The public is advised to avoid these parks and any other areas that are closed during this time.