Nature & Conservation
California’s State Parks offer breathtaking landscapes, vital ecosystems, and accessible spaces for all to connect with nature, wildlife, and the outdoors.
California State Parks protects and preserves the state’s natural biodiversity, while educating visitors about the importance of conservation and sustainability. Explore our resources for interactive content, educational activities, and park events to learn about California’s incredible ecosystems, and how to get involved in conservation efforts.
Planning for a Changing Landscape
More extreme wildfires, drought, Sea Level Rise, and other effects of climate change are impacting state parks. These complex challenges call for interdisciplinary and creative approaches to build sustainable and resilient solutions.
Cannabis Watershed Protection Program
The Cannabis Watershed Protection Program is a multidisciplinary team dedicated to restoring watersheds affected by illegal cannabis cultivation. State Parks created the program in 2019 with funding from Proposition 64 (The Control, Regulate, and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act), to repair the damages done by decades of illicit growing activities throughout California State Parks.
Featured Nature Parks
Dos Rios
Once farmland now restored floodplain, Dos Rios provides the perfect habitat for several protected species such as, the riparian brush rabbit, riparian woodrat, Swainson’s hawk, Central Valley Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, least Bell’s vireo, and the greater Sandhill crane.
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
the Lost Coast Trail follows the whole length of the rugged Sinkyone coastline. Gray whales pass by during the winter and early spring. Roosevelt elk roam the grasslands. Sea lions and harbor seals hang out in rocky coves. It’s an…
Castle Crags State Park
Majestic Castle Crags have inspired enduring myths and legends. More than 170 million years old, these 6000-feet tall granite spires in the Castle Crags Wilderness border the northwestern edge of Castle Crags State Park.
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
The reserve was established to preserve the spectacular "tufa towers," calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. It also protects the lake surface itself as well as the wetlands and other sensitive habitat…
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos SNR is outstanding for sightseeing, photography, painting, nature study, picnicking, SCUBA diving and jogging. The offshore area, part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, forms one of the richest underwater habitats in the world popular with divers.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Calaveras Big Trees State Park preserves a mixed conifer forest with two groves of giant sequoias - the North Grove and South Grove. In addition to the giant sequoia trees, you will find the Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek, ancient volcanic…
Providence Mountains State Recreation Area
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy one of the most iconic and time capsule parks in California. This unique and remote travel destination offers a frontier experience of timeless landscapes and breathtaking views. The park is also home to the beautiful Mitchell…
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California and is known for its vast landscape and diverse wildlife. The park features washes, wildflowers, palm groves, cacti and sweeping vistas. It is home to the Peninsular Bighorn…
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve
This State Natural Reserve is located on California's most consistent poppy-bearing land. Other wildflowers: owl's clover, lupine, goldfield, cream cups, and coreopsis, to name a few, share the desert grassland to produce a mosaic of color and fragrance each spring.
Elephant Seal Guided Walks at Año Nuevo State Park
The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve. Año Nuevo docents go through extensive training and are highly knowledgeable in the…
Explore Nature & Conservation Resources
The Water Cycle and California Water Project In-Person Field Trip
Students will learn about the history of our state’s Water Project and the natural processes of how the park naturally receives and cycles its water.
Shasta State Historic Park Educational FAQ (Padlet.com)
Whether you have a question about the ports program, our park, or a recently watched webinar, ask your questions here and we will get back...
Ahjumawi Lava Springs
This is a place of slow time, heat, cold, mosquitoes, primeval basaltic lava flows, ticks, bears and pristine water.
Hungry Valley Native Grasslands
Large tracts of land throughout the state of California were once dominated by native perennial bunchgrasses, but only about 1% of California’s valley grasslands remain...
Science and Nature at Russian Gulch State Park
Read about science and nature at Russian Gulch State Park
Nature Journal in Your Neighborhood – YouTube
Watch a YouTube video about keeping a nature journal
Tide Pool Animals (padlet.com)
Learn about tide pools
Youth Educational Resources for San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park
A place for students to access digital educational content and learn more about historical, cultural, and natural topics related to San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic...
Surf Beach Shoreline Monitoring Program
Learn about the Surf Beach Shoreline Monitoring Program at San Onofre State Beach
Park Rules at Chino Hills State Park
Learn about park rules at Chino Hills State Park
Elephant Seal Guided Walks at Año Nuevo State Park
The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast...
Natural History of The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Learn about the natural history of The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Proteja los mérgoles jaspeados: ¡esté limpio de migajas! – YouTube
Watch a YouTube video about the Marbled Murrelet (spanish subtitles)
Junior Ranger Activity Book – Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Download a junior ranger activity book connected with Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Tidepool Tips at Asilomar State Beach
Learn how to tidepool at Asilomar State Beach
Guided Tours at Asilomar State Beach
Schedule a tour at Asilomar State Beach
Humboldt Lagoons State Park – YouTube Video
Join California State Park Ranger Maurice Morningstar and explore the ever-changing Humboldt Lagoons State Park. Discover the incredible mysteries of the largest lagoon system in...
Snowy Plover and Least Tern Protection
Young Western Snowy PloverOceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), a popular OHV park with approximately 1.4 million visitors annually, is an important breeding site...
Shifting Sands
Oceano Dunes SVRA comprises approximately 3600 acres of unstabilized and stabilized sand dunes.
Bringing Back the Tule Elk
Naturalists estimate that half a million elk roamed California before 1849! Learn about the history of these animals.
Collections:: Tule Elk | Smithsonian Learning Lab
Learn about the Tule Elk
Red Rock Canyon State Park Interpretive Program Schedule
See a schedule of interpretive programs at Red Rock Canyon State Park
CA State Parks Santa Cruz District – YouTube Channel
Watch videos and learn about the natural and cultural history of the parks we protect and care for, like redwood trees, historic adobes, banana slugs,...
Reserve Activities for Santa Cruz District State Parks
Schedule a guided walk at Big Basin
Fremont Peak Observatory – Public Programs
The Observatory is open to the public for scheduled viewing and educational programs. When the summer advection fog rolls in from Monterey Bay and covers...
Wonder Hikes 2025 at Mount Diablo State Park
Have you ever wondered about the many species of organisms that inhabit our world beyond the sidewalks and streets? This is the hike for you!...
Exploring Mitchell’s Caverns
The Mitchell Caverns are formed from limestone that was once plant and animal materials that formed when this area was the bottom of a shallow...
Virtual Tour of Mitchell Caverns
Explore a 3D virtual tour of Mitchell Caverns! This remarkable cave system showcases nature’s artistry with its intricate limestone formations, towering stalactites, and stalagmites.
Sugar Pine Point State Park Kayak Tours
We supply your kayak, paddle, and mandatory personal flotation device. Tours are 1 hour long, with 30 minutes of kayaking instruction/getting comfortable in the water...
Northern Elephant Seals
Two of California’s coastal state parks host large, strange-looking creatures each winter as breeding grounds for northern elephant seals
Shasta State Historic Park Online Educational Resources (Padlet.com)
Explore posts, questions, and resources on Shasta State Historic Park’s Padlet page.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park – Instructional Resources and Grade level NGSS Support
Read information for teachers about how to make a memorable experience for students
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve – School Programs
The Tijuana Estuary offers free visits to elementary, middle and high school groups. School visits to The Tijuana Estuary are theme-based and integrated with the...
Self-Guided Field Trip at Humboldt Lagoons State Park!
Explore in-person school field trips to Humboldt Lagoons State Park!
In-Person Field Trip at Chino Hills State Park
Explore in-person school field trips to Chino Hills State Park!
Cedar Springs History In-Person Field Trip at Silverwood Lake!
We will discuss the history of the park, covering Natives, Europeans, and the park since it was founded in 1972. Along the way, we will...
In Person Field Trip to Hendy Woods State Park
Hendy Woods State Park’s educational program offers guided redwood ecology hikes, nature journaling and bird watching expeditions as student activities
In-Person Field Trips at Pismo State Beach
Book in-person field trips for Pismo State Beach
California History and Nature on the Homestead
A small park that memorializes important California figure William Brown Ide and his contribution to the state’s history!
Elephant Seal School Group Program at Hearst San Simeon State Park
California State Parks invites students of all ages to discover the fascinating world of elephant seals! Each year, thousands of students are welcomed to explore...
Virtual Adventurer
Virtual Adventurer, an official mobile app of California State Parks, offers a diverse range of educational and exploratory experiences suitable for all ages and abilities
Nature in Your Neighborhood
Printable activity sheets to help kids start with nature journaling with the plants and animals found in your neighborhood.
Climate Kids CONNECTS
Climate Kids Connects is our online education portal consisting of digital resources and activities about important climate topics that support youth, educators, and the community...
Colors of Conservation Coloring Book
Check out the new Climate Kids Coloring Book – Colors of Conservation – to learn more about local plant and animal species, and what we...
PORTS Program – YouTube Channel
View recordings of live PORTScasts on the PORTS: Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students YouTube channel.
Fun Facts About California State Parks
Learn some fun facts about CA State Parks!
Marvelous Marbled Murrelets
The marbled murrelet, a seabird about the size of a robin, is a redwoods inhabitant listed as endangered in California and threatened in the U.S....
The Nature Journal Connection – John Muir Laws
This is a free educational video series with John Muir Laws created in partnership with the Children’s Creativity Museum. Each video is between 10 and...
Redwood Ed: A Guide to the Coast Redwoods for Teachers and Learners
Redwood Ed is a resource for those who want to learn about the coast redwood community and those who want to help others learn about...
The Conifer Connection
A Resource for Learning and Teaching About Coniferous Forests and Watersheds