What’s up? — I&E Book Club
—Elizabeth Evans, Watershed Program Manager, Interpretation and Education Division
It’s not too late to join in the fun of our first-ever statewide book club. For your reading enjoyment, we’ve selected three informative and inspiring books to get you through the dark days of winter. Park staff, partners, and volunteers are all invited to join our next virtual book club discussion group on Wednesday, February 25th from 1-2pm. Not sure if you’ll finish a book by then? Don’t worry, you’re still welcome to join in the discussion and hear what your peers have to say about the influence these works will have on their future interpretive work.
Link to join the 2/25 webinar: https://ports-ca.zoom.us/j/97334794192?pwd=8uAZ7OayetLbhFbOwm6B2PFC7wERNm.1
#1 The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
(recommended by Daniel Williford, State Park Interpreter II, Interpretation and Education Division)
The Serviceberry, by Braiding Sweetgrass author Robin Wall Kimmerer, offers a bold, hopeful vision for shaping our lives around gratitude, reciprocity, and community—drawing wisdom from the natural world to reimagine how we relate to one another.
#2 The Art of Relevance by Nina Simon
(recommended by Cara O’Brien, Museum Director, Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument)
The Art of Relevance explores how organizations and leaders can connect more deeply with the people they serve. Through stories, research, and practical tools, it offers ideas for making our work more meaningful, inclusive, and impactful—no matter our field. It’s a great conversation starter for anyone interested in community, creativity, and purpose.
#3 California: An American History by John Mack Faragher
(recommended by Alison Parks, State Park Interpreter III, Capital District)
John Mack Faragher explores how our state became one of the most culturally diverse places in the world. Tracing waves of Native communities, settlers, and migrants from across the globe, the book connects California’s natural landscape to the rich mix of people who have shaped its past—and continue to shape its identity today.