A First Pandemic Hike
On a clear day last November, two of us from Sierra Club ICO stand with a group of 25 youth at Topanga State Park’s Trippet Ranch. We stand here in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains, feeling the weight of Topanga’s history. We remember the people who made their lives here for so long […]
Celebrating Black History and Culture in California State Parks
“Footprints” is a Parks California blog series highlighting the contributions of people and communities in state parks. Revisit our past blogs on the impact of women, as well as LGBTQIA+ and Hispanic and Latinx communities in the outdoors. Check out our most recent post honoring California’s Indigenous heritage and impact. One of our favorite things […]
Thank you for giving us so much to be grateful for
Thank you. Thank you for giving our team so much to be grateful for. Thank you for continually supporting us, and more importantly, our collective vision – in partnership with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and other partners – to strengthen parks so they are welcoming for all people. As we wave goodbye […]
King Tides are Coming to a California Shore Near You
Strong King tides are coming to a coast near you! King tides are stronger than normal tides at the full and new moon phases and occur during specific times of the year for different locations on Earth. In California, we experience King tides during the winter. King tides are larger than normal tides for both […]
Partnering and Learning from Tribes to Integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge
How can we partner with tribes to integrate traditional ecological knowledge in conservation and land management? That was the question addressed by speakers from the Yurok and Gabrielino-Tongva tribes at a workshop during the California Invasive Species Conference held in October. Traditional ecological knowledge, also known as Tribal Ecological Knowledge or TEK, is the relationship established by tribes through their generational experiences […]
Footprints: Honoring California’s Indigenous Heritage and Impact
“Footprints” is a Parks California blog series highlighting the contributions of people and communities in state parks. Revisit our past blogs on the impact of women, as well as LGBTQIA+ and Black communities in the outdoors. Check out our most recent post celebrating Hispanic and Latinx communities. This Native American Heritage Month, we honor and […]
Backpackers on the California Coast
In May of 2021, I backpacked for the first time with my son at the Point Reyes National Seashore. Point Reyes NS has over 70,000 miles of forest, grassland, and shoreline combined; it’s on the traditional lands of the Coast Miwok. Point Reyes NS offers 4 backpacking campgrounds (Coast, Glen, Sky, and Wildcat; Sky campground is currently closed due to […]
Leadership, Partnership, Stewardship: Reclaiming the Name of Sue-meg State Park
The California State Park and Recreation Commission recently voted to change the name of Patrick’s Point State Park in Humboldt County to Sue-meg State Park as a part of the Reexamining Our Past Initiative. This name change – the first so far among the California State Park System – will more accurately reflect the history […]
Footprints: Uplifting the Impact of Hispanic and Latinx Communities on California State Parks
“Footprints” is a Parks California blog series aimed to highlight the contributions of people and communities on state parks. Revisit our past blogs on the impact of Women, as well as LGBTQIA+ and Black communities in the outdoors. Hispanic Heritage Month (celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) presents a dedicated time and space to […]
Coastal Clean Up Day Can Be Every Day!
California has a beautiful scenic coastline that stretches 840 miles (1,350 km) and is home to a large diversity of life and recreational opportunities. Many Californians found their way to beaches this summer to enjoy the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean and a break from the heat. California State Parks manages 128 coastal park units, […]
