State Parks Launches New Virtual Programs to Prevent Drownings on California’s Waterways

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Parks today announced a new series of virtual programs to help prevent drownings when recreating in California’s waterways. The first AquaSMART Live! Lifeguard Program, set for this Thursday, April 1 at 2 p.m. on the department’s Facebook page, will focus on river safety. Participants will be able to travel virtually to Auburn State Recreation Area (SRA), Folsom Lake SRA, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and South Yuba River State Park.

California State Parks Seeking Rangers and Lifeguards to “Live the Parks Life”

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Parks invites individuals to “Live the Parks Life” as rangers and lifeguards in the nation’s largest state park system.
For more than 150 years, rangers and lifeguards have worked closely with the state's network of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to protect visitors to California's State Park System and surrounding communities. The rangers and lifeguards provide not only public safety law enforcement and aquatic rescue services, but they also provide public education through interpretation and protect natural and cultural resources. Their offices are located in or near beaches, deserts, lakes, historic landmarks and state vehicular recreation areas. 

California State Parks Invites Public to Virtually Commemorate the Contributions of César Chávez to Borrego Springs

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Parks invites the public to virtually commemorate the contributions of prominent civil rights, union and farm labor leader César Chávez made at Borrego Springs (San Diego County) in 1966. In partnership with Borrego Springs High School students, State Parks will be unveiling four interpretive bilingual panels at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® that will display how César Chávez supported local farm workers who wanted the National Farm Workers Association as their union. The ceremony will be hosted on the Facebook pages of State Parks and Anza-Borrego Desert SP from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31.

HistoriCorps Helps Breathe New Life into IOOF Hall at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

COLOMA, Calif.—California State Parks is working with HistoriCorps to restore the community hall built by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), one of the oldest fraternal organization buildings in the state. The IOOF Hall is located at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, California, where gold was first discovered in 1848.

Division of Boating and Waterways Begins Control Efforts in the Delta for Aquatic Invasive Plants

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) today announced plans for this year’s control efforts for aquatic invasive plants in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its southern tributaries. Consistent with COVID-19 safety protocols, DBW personnel started herbicide treatments today to help control several invasive plants found in the Delta. 

Henry W. Coe State Park Reopens to the Public After SCU Lightning Complex Fire

LIVERMORE, Calif.—The Diablo Range District of California State Parks is pleased to announce the reopening of areas at Henry W. Coe State Park that were closed due to the SCU Lightning Complex Fire.

Division of Boating and Waterways Offering Grants for Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Programs

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) will be accepting grant applications for quagga and zebra mussel infestation prevention programs from March 22 through April 30, 2021.All applications must be received by5 p.m. on Friday, April 30, 2021.

Division of Boating and Waterways Offers $4.25 Million in Grants to Enhance Public Safety and Protect California’s Waterways

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The 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. The application period for the competitive grant programs, Boating Safety and Enforcement Equipment (BSEE) and Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE), is open from March 15 through April 30, 2021. 

California State Parks Reopens Campgrounds in San Luis Obispo County

SACRAMENTO, Calif. –Oceano Dunes SVRA and Pismo State Beach entering phase II of three-phased reopening plan on Friday, February 19

Day use outdoor areas of park units currently open to the public remain open with modifications and COVID-19 guidelines

California State Parks Invites the Public to Virtually Celebrate Chinese New Year of the Metal Ox

WEAVERVILLE, Calif. — History will come alive once again in Weaverville when a virtual Chinese New Year Celebration and Lion Dance will be presented on the Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park. This virtual event is being offered on the California State Parks PORTS Home Learning Program as well as the Park’s Facebook page. The virtual celebration will be broadcast on the first day of the Lunar New Year - Friday, Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. from the oldest continuously used Chinese Taoist Temple in California known as the Cloud Forest Temple.