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Good Times newspaper features Castro Adobe State Historic Park
The remarkable history of the Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe was showcased in last week's edition of the Good Times newspaper. The in-depth article traces the origins of the two-story adobe all the way to its revitalization as Castro Adobe State Historic Park.
Friends has played an integral role in partnership with State Parks in the restoration of the historic adobe and the creation of the new state historic park. Friends undertook the restoration of the Castro Adobe in order to preserve and interpret for the public the only remaining building of the Rancho era in the Pajaro Valley. The work to restore the building has taken two decades but is nearing completion. Visits to the Castro Adobe will be back soon, as the construction schedule and COVID-19 guidelines allow.
Learn more about the project in the Castro Blog or make a donation toward the restoration effort.
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New local history book illuminates stories of Indigenous individuals and families
By examining historical records and drawing on oral histories and the work of anthropologists, archaeologists, ecologists and psychologists, a new book authored by Martin Rizzo-Martinez, State Parks historian for the Santa Cruz District, sets out to answer questions regarding who the Indigenous people in the Santa Cruz region were and how they survived through the nineteenth century.
We Are Not Animals traces tribal, familial and kinship networks through the missions’ chancery registry records to reveal stories of individuals and families and shows how ethnic and tribal differences and politics shaped strategies of survival within the diverse population that came to live at Mission Santa Cruz, now Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
This monumental work includes a forward by Amah Mutsun Tribal Chair Valentin Lopez. We Are Not Animals is being offered in the ParkStore Online at a special discount to support and disseminate this important research. This book is also available at the Mission ParkStore, now Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
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State Parks guided backpacking program returns with three trips in 2022
Registration is now open for the California State Parks Backpacking Adventures (CASPBA) program, which will offer three guided backpacking tours in the Santa Cruz Mountains this summer.
Led by experienced backcountry naturalists, the CASPBA trips are enjoyable for novice and advanced backpackers alike. Trips are tailored to each group’s skill level, including night hikes for the active and native plant teas for the relaxed.
The 2022 trips include:
- The Skyline Sojourn will take backpackers to panoramic Black Mountain at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve for the first night, before descending off the ridge into tranquil Portola Redwoods State Park, where they will spend two nights under towering old-growth redwoods.
- In Pursuit of Perseids is a one-nighter specially scheduled around the peak of the annual Perseids meteor shower. The views at Castle Rock Trail Camp make for some of the best meteor viewing in the Santa Cruz Mountains, so campers will stay up stargazing, telling stories and learning about the night sky. Both days’ hikes offer spectacular skyline views as hikers loop around Castle Rock State Park and Sanborn County Park.
- An Adventure Among the Ancients takes the scenic route to Slate Creek in Portola Redwoods State Park, making detours to some of the park’s iconic natural features like Tiptoe Falls and The Old Tree. For Day 2, hikers will leave the packs at camp and complete the Peter’s Creek Loop, a spectacular hike featuring ridgeline views, a lush riparian creek ecosystem, and the park’s marquee redwoods.
CASPBA has been on hiatus due to the pandemic and the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. Trips this year will avoid burned areas and will also follow all state and local COVID-19 guidelines. Trips are open to adults 18 and older. Children ages 13-17 can participate when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Spaces are extremely limited and a waitlist is available, register today. Email backpacking@parks.ca.gov, or call (831) 291-8273 with questions.
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Join the State Parks volunteer team
Interpretive programs and field trips are making a comeback this season and State Parks has many volunteer opportunities! Get involved with docent and trail volunteer work across Santa Cruz and San Mateo County state parks and beaches. Some local opportunities are:
- Seacliff State Beach is looking for volunteer docents to share the beautiful beach with school groups and visitors. Docents play a key role in special events, school programs, guided walks and visitor center operations. Join the upcoming online and in-person docent training course starting in April. To apply, fill out this application by March 11.
- Lend a hand! Wilder Ranch State Park is looking for volunteer docents to share the beautiful and culturally significant ranch with school groups and visitors. Docents play a key role in special events, school programs, natural and cultural history tours and visitor center operations. Help bring history to life and join our upcoming docent training course starting in March. Training will include both online and in-person portions. To apply, fill out this application or for more info email or call 831-426-0505.
- Want to make a difference? Become a docent at Natural Bridges State Beach and share the beauty of this park and tidepools with school children and the general public. Help lead tours and answer visitor questions, work on restoration projects and assist in the visitor center and bookstore. Training days are Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings, March 6-27. Training will be a blend of in-person and Zoom meetings. To apply, fill out this application or for more information, email or call (831) 423-4609, ext. 8.
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