California State Parks Reminds Visitors to Use Free Pass Programs, Explore the Outdoors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Parks, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the California Natural Resources Agency are reminding visitors about three new ways to explore the great outdoors for free. Fourth graders can obtain a free California State Park Adventure Pass to explore 19 select state parks for free for a full school year. All Californians can check out a California State Parks Library Pass by using their library cards to access more than 200 participating state park units. Families receiving California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs), individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and income-eligible Californians 62 and over can apply for the Golden Bear Pass with their smartphone or other web-based device in just minutes and have access to more than 200 California state park units.

CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA GET BEARWISE

 New program makes it easier to live responsibly with bears 

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev., Jan. 30, 2023 – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) are proud to support BearWise, the innovative North American program that helps people live more responsibly with bears. The BearWise website, www.bearwise.org, offers a wealth of scientifically sound information and practical advice. The state wildlife agencies will work closely with the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California State Parks, and Nevada State Parks to incorporate the BearWise messaging as part of their united effort through the Tahoe Interagency Bear Team. This will ensure that residents and visitors across the Lake Tahoe Basin will receive th https://bearwise.org/

Spanish Boating Safety Course Now Available

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) announced today the availability of a boating safety course in Spanish. Like its English counterpart, the Curso de California para Navegación home study eBook is free and helps Californians be compliant with the mandatory boating education law that requires power boat operators to carry a California Boating Card to legally operate a motorized vessel on California or California-shared waterways. Applying for a card is simple. Boaters can start their application process by visiting CaliforniaBoaterCard.com or by calling (844) 421-8333. The card only costs $10 and lasts a lifetime.

2022 Governor’s Historic Preservation Award Recipients Announced

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— The California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) is pleased to announce the five recipients of the 2022 Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards. Each of the projects represents exemplary achievements on behalf of preserving California’s richly diverse heritage. This year’s award recipients range from the rehabilitation of a historic resource to preserve and tell the story of what is considered the “Ellis Island of the West,” to a podcast that advances the work and mission of historic preservation.

California State Parks Urges Public to Stay Away from Mattole Road in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

WEOTT, Calif.— One day after California State Parks closed Mattole Road in Humboldt Redwoods State Park due to storm damage and the risk of a potential landslide, the department is reminding the public to stay away from the area and releasing new photos of the buckled road.

Commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the Gold Discovery at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

COLOMA, Calif.— California State Parks invites the public to commemorate the 175thanniversary of James Marshall’s discovery of gold at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (SHP) this Saturday, January 21 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Gold Discovery Day, which was inaugurated in Coloma in 1948 on the centennial of the discovery, will include activities and living history demonstrations throughout the park. 

California State Parks Closes Mattole Road in Humboldt Redwoods State Park Due to Storm Damage and Potential Landslide Risk

WEOTT, Calif.— California State Parks today closed Mattole Road in Humboldt Redwoods State Park until further notice due to the recent storm damage and the risk for a potential landslide. The closure is located 1.5 miles west of the juncture with Highway 101. Mattole Road runs west from the highway at the confluence of the south fork and main stem of the Eel River, then traverses through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. 

California State Historical Resources Commission to Consider Seven Properties for Action

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California State Historical Resources Commission (Commission) will consider on Friday, January 20, six nominations for federal historic designation and one nomination for state historic designation.

Public Advised of Hazardous Current at Lake Natoma - Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks urges visitors to exercise extreme caution while enjoying Lake Natoma, a subunit of Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, over the next several days. Significant water releases are expected from both Folsom and Nimbus Dams as the next storms approach the Sacramento area. As releases at Folsom Dam increase, water levels may raise rapidly resulting in strong currents that are unsafe for recreational activities on or around the lake shore. The strong currents may also prompt park officials to close parts of the lake starting Friday, December 30, and continuing until the water and currents recede.

Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division to Host Grant Workshop on January 9-10

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division invites entities that provide off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation opportunities to a two-day grant workshop in Bakersfield on January 9-10. In-person and virtual opportunities will be available. Participants will be informed on the various motorized grants available and how to apply for them.