Winter/Spring 2025
The work you do is vital
Spring is one of my favorite seasons. Seeing all the green grass and watching trees blossom and flowers bloom leaves me with a sense of hope and optimism.
The start of 2025 has been rough for so many people. We’ve had parks burn. I am hearing a lot of fear and uncertainty around what is taking place in the federal government and how it might impact us in state parks.
In California State Parks we remain committed to making parks more inclusive and welcoming for all visitors and to continue to build climate literacy. I want to encourage you when you feel weighed down by things to get out into nature, enjoy the springtime beauty, and to breathe deeply. All of you do amazing work and continually inspire me. Thank you for the work you do and the passion and commitment you bring. The work you do is vital.
—Heather Holm
Your questions answered!
- My first guided walk is in 2 weeks. Where do I even start!?
- A great volunteer, but they won’t share ALL of our park’s history.
1st Ever I&E Excellence Awards
Over 100 park staff gathered virtually to celebrate the talented interpreters who educate and inspire Californians to forge meaningful connections with the natural and cultural stories of our state parks. Meet the awardees!
"BIGI" Love for Interpretation
Learn how Kaylie Williams reconnected with her “Why” for the field of interpretation at this year’s BIGI Training.
Lessons from BIGI 13
Couldn’t make this year’s BIGI? Here were 4 lessons from the attendees.
Sonoma Women's History Crawl
Deborah Lee shares what it takes to organize a community event with 18 partner organizations.
Rachel Young: Coordinating Volunteer Coordinators
Meet your biggest ally in sustaining your parks’ volunteers in this month’s edition of Beyond Interpretation.
I&E Embarks on 5-Year Strategic Plan
In partnership with the California State Parks Foundation, California State Parks will develop a 5-year interpretive strategic plan over the course of 2025. The plan will provide direction for statewide interpretive priorities.
Coming Full Circle with 360° Tours:
Alec Knapp shares how he is exploring new online tools for building high-quality, interactive, 360° tours in Northern Buttes District.
Upcoming Dockwalker Trainings and New Dockside Episodes:
Learn about the most recent offerings from the interpreters in the Division of Boating and Waterways.
Elephant Seal Docent Program:
Monica Rutherford shares how Hearst San Simeon State Park’s 77 docents logged 8,328 volunteer hours and engaged over 127,500 visitors, all in just one year!
Statewide Webinars:
Explore the busy calendar of webinars that are FREE and open to all State Parks staff, volunteers, and partners. Eligible for FOCUS training credits.
Tabletops: Take Two
San Diego Coast District and the Southern Service Center rolled out new interpretive “table runners” at Torrey Pines SNR/SB.
FEBRUARY
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ALL MONTH: Black History Month
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February 26: Statewide Webinar: Protecting Wildlife
MARCH
- ALL MONTH: Women’s History Month • March 3: World Wildlife Day
- March 8: International Women’s Day
- March 20: Spring Equinox
- March 31: Cesar Chavez Day Holiday
APRIL
- April 2-3: Spring Volunteer Coordination Training (VIPP)
- April 9-10: Spring Volunteer Coordination Training (VIPP)
- April 19: National Jr Ranger Day
- April 20-26: National Volunteer Week
- April 22: Earth Day
START PLANNING FOR…
- May: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- May: State/National Preservation Month
- June: LGBTQ+ Pride Month
- June 11-15: State Parks Week
Interested in writing an article? Want to share a resource? Got a success story?
Write to us at: interpretation.staff@parks.ca.gov
Winter / Spring 2025 Catalyst Team Members:
Anne Cooper and Devin McCutchen (editors) — Kim Milruya (graphic designer)
Copyright (C) 2025 CA State Parks, Interpretation and Education Division. All rights reserved.