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Remembering Diane Porter Cooley

It’s with a heavy heart we learned this week about the passing of Diane Porter Cooley, a preservationist of both history and nature, a fierce advocate for youth and a trusted community builder.
 
Diane left her mark on our physical and cultural landscape in so many ways. The number of organizations that counted her as a founder, key supporter, or special champion is legendary. At Friends, we were humbled to be part of that universe of nonprofits that benefited from her time and talents, generosity and freely shared advice and counsel.
 
She was an early advocate who made good things happen at The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, where she had deep family connections.
 
We count her as a true guardian angel of the Castro Adobe. Starting with the community campaign to save the building from melting into the ground after the 1989 earthquake, she was always there at key moments, pushing to create California’s newest State Historic Park in her beloved Pajaro Valley. From getting her hands dirty placing volunteer-made adobe bricks into the building, to connecting people from different walks of life throughout the community to pitch in, to making sure local youth had job opportunities and college students could study archaeology close to home. Diane’s involvement was as varied as it was important.
 
Diane was a force of nature with high standards and an amazing intellect. She helped everyone keep their eyes on the goal down the road, all the while reminding you how you fit into what came before. She had a very kind heart.
 
You always knew it was going to be a very special event when Diane arrived, in her cowgirl hat or in her honorary State Park Ranger Stetson. We will miss you, Diane.

— Bonny Hawley, Friends of Santa Cruz State Park Executive Director
Photos: 
• Diane shares a story in the Potter-Church Garden with the late State Parks Commission Chair, Ernest Chung, and “History Dude” Sandy Lydon. 
• Diane watches alongside Charlene Duval, Castro Committee Chair and Friends board member, as dirt at the Castro is sifted for artifacts. 
• Diane lays an adobe brick made by volunteers in the new cocina wall at the Castro Adobe (April 2008).

Seasonal campgrounds reopen April 1

 
Spring is around the corner and with that comes the reopening of seasonal campgrounds at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and Manresa Uplands State Beach. Additional spaces will become available at New Brighton State Beach and Sunset State Beach for the summer season.

Secure a campsite through Reserve California. A portion of camping fees stays local to support state parks and beaches. Also, no need to pack your own firewood. Buy a bundle (just $10) at a State Parks campground in Santa Cruz County or coastal San Mateo County to support local parks. 

Transport yourself to your favorite state park or beach with a new Zoom background

Are Zoom meetings here to stay? Bring the beauty of a park or beach to your next video conference.

Download one of our free Zoom backgrounds featuring Sunset State Beach, Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, Seacliff State Beach, Castro Adobe State Historic Park, Natural Bridges State Beach, Wilder Ranch State Park, Montara State Beach or a pre-wildfire image of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. 

Apply now to work in beautiful places!

Work with Friends! Become a Senior Visitor Services Aide at Half Moon Bay State Beach. Pay for this full-time and benefited position starts at $21.40 an hour.

Jobs are available now! Friends is a nonprofit organization that works in concert with California State Parks to maintain and enhance the state parks in the Santa Cruz District. Learn more and apply online today!

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Natural Bridges Candle — $18.99

Shop the new Natural Bridges candle

Enjoy the essence of Natural Bridges State Beach at home with this lovely eucalyptus and sea salt candle. Handmade by Coastside Home Goods in Pescadero, the candle is poured into hand-cut recycled wine bottles from California Coastal wineries.

All ParkStore purchases benefit local state parks and beaches.

ORDER NOW

Visit the historic Mills Barn and step back in time

#FindNewAdventure Take a nice, historic and quiet hike to the Mills Barn at Burleigh Murray State Park.

Dating back to the late 1800s, the unique Mills Barn is a good depiction of an English Lake County Bank Barn and is the only one of its kind in California. A bank barn is a two-story barn that is built against a hill allowing access to the second story via a road. This provided an efficient way of feeding the animals sheltered inside.

Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park is on the San Mateo Coast near Half Moon Bay, just over a mile south of the intersection of Highways 1 and 92.

Last chance for Guided Elephant Seal Walks

Only a few weeks remain to reserve your spot on a Guided Elephant Seal Walk before tours end March 31. On this walk, you'll learn about and observe the large colony of northern elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park.

This moderate walk through the Año Nuevo Natural Preserve led by volunteer docent naturalists offers an up-close view of northern elephant seals in their natural habitat. 

Año Nuevo State Park is located about 20 miles north of Santa Cruz on the west side of Highway 1. The parking fee of $10 is separate from the tour fees and supports the park. You must have a ticket to walk into the preserve area.

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