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Find love at your favorite state parks and beaches this Valentine's Day
With Valentine's Day around the corner, we have some lovely ideas for you!
Here's to a lovely Valentine's Day!
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Hiking trails still impacted by storm damage; state beaches open
State Parks staff and contractors have made immense progress on repairing storm damage at local state parks and beaches during the past month. From clearing fallen trees and small landslides to fixing washed-out sections of trails, the efforts are appreciated.
A few parks continue to have partial or full closures for safety reasons at this time:
Please respect park and trail closures for your safety and to avoid further damage to the parks.
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Community support surges for Seacliff State Beach Recovery Fund
Seacliff State Beach is feeling the love lately. The community has come together to support recovery efforts for the beach, which sustained extensive damage from the January storms.
Friends launched the Seacliff State Beach Recovery Fund nearly a month ago. Donations already exceed $45,000. This fund will provide short-term support, followed by investments in long-term recovery work to ensure public access and environmental protection at the beach.
Community groups are finding creative ways to support Seacliff as well. Scrumptious Fish & Chips hosted a fundraiser last weekend that donated a $1 for every meal sold. The Aptos History Museum Mardi Gras event on Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 5-7 p.m. will donate a portion of proceeds to the Recovery Fund. A group of artist friends, Locals 4 Santa Cruz Beaches, designed "Restore our Shore" T-shirts and other merchandise that are now available online. All proceeds benefit the Recovery Fund.
You can also support recovery efforts by shopping the Seacliff State Beach collection on the ParkStore Online or visiting the Seacliff ParkStore. There are many souvenirs featuring the iconic Michael Schwab "Cement Ship" image.
For those who want to lend a helping hand, a beach cleanup will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, from noon to 2 p.m. at Seacliff State Beach. Meet in the upper parking lot. Bring gardening gloves and buckets to collect trash.
Seacliff State Beach is open to pedestrians and cyclists in the lower day-use lot and beach. The upper parking lot is open for vehicles to park. On weekends, find Scrumptious Fish & Chips in the upper parking lot from 12-5 p.m.
Parking is $10 and supports the park.
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Put the "fun" in #FungusFebruary
The wet winter has been a boon for local mushrooms and fresh fungus seems to be popping up everywhere!
The Oak-Loving Elfin Saddle mushrooms appeared again at Castro Adobe State Historic Park during a rain event earlier this month (left photo below).
Slime mold and brain-like jelly fungi are creeping up too. Watch for bright orange growth and you may have spotted these elusive winter growths.
Learn more about the fungi found on your favorite hiking trails. Check out our Fungi collection on the ParkStore Online, featuring our favorite field guides, stickers, socks, and more. Available at our ParkStores and the ParkStore Online.
Remember, take photos not samples when you spot fungus at local state parks and beaches. Curious about your finds? Use an app such as iNaturalist to compare your finds with other hikers.
ParkStore purchases benefit local state parks and beaches.
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