Fall 2025
Trying New Paths
Our State Park system is richly woven with well-worn trails and traditions. The Monarchs arrive at their coastal groves every October. Families return to the same campgrounds, year after year, building shared memories across several generations. The flags go up at the kiosk every morning. And don’t forget the bear patch and the Stetson!
But when it comes to interpretation, the principle of “provocation” means keeping your methods fresh. In this edition we hear from creative people all across our 280 units who are trying something different.
What are some new paths you might try at your park this Fall?
—The Catalyst Team
Dear Master Interpreter
Your questions answered:
• Getting crafty hunting down crafting supplies.
• Happy dogs and unhappy owners.
"All-Team" at Anza-Borrego
How do you tell the social media story of California’s largest State Park? With an “all-team” approach!
Meet VANNIE
VANNIE offers a powerful new way to engage audiences across the state. Learn how to request a visit!
California Biodiversity Day 2025
And the award for the park with the most recorded species for 2025 goes to…
Read With a Ranger
Over the past two years, San Diego Coast District staff have reached 1,200 participants across every San Diego Public Library branch.
Questions, questions, questions!
Daniel Williford on momentarily unanswerable questions and question crowd sourcing.
Welcomed Home
A new exhibit at the State Indian Museum reimagines empty cases as an opportunity to celebrate NAGPRA.
Happy Birthday to a Powerhouse?
Celebrating 130 years of the modern American electrical grid where it all first began, in Folsom, California.
2025 Interpretive Excellence Awards
Have you noticed a particularly inspiring Interpreter this year? Perhaps you’ve seen a colleague or team make big impacts with access or partnerships? As 2025 comes to a close, the I&E Division will be seeking nominations for the 2nd Annual I&E Excellence Awards.
Nominations will open the first week of November, and we’re so excited to see who will receive the 2025 Excellence Awards at our Virtual Ceremony on January 28, 2026. If you are interested in being on this year’s review panel, please reach out to elizabeth.evans@parks.ca.gov by November 22, 2025.
Career Opportunities
Browse a selection of the interpretation related jobs currently open across California State Parks.
Junior Ranger Program Library
Need inspiration for a new Junior Ranger program? There’s a new Sharepoint library for sharing (and stealing!) program outlines and supporting materials.
PORTS: Redesigning Access
In a recent Ten Strands article, Brad Krey argues, “Every student in California deserves meaningful access to nature and environmental learning, regardless of zip code, income level, or school resources.”
Statewide Webinars, Fall 2025
Explore the busy calendar of webinars that are FREE and open to all State Parks staff, volunteers, and partners. Eligible for FOCUS training credits.
October
- October, All Month: Archeology Month
- October, All Month: Archives Month
- 21: Webinar—California History 101
- 21: State Parks / CA 175th Photo Contest deadline
- 27: Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Training, CA State Library
- 29-11/2: Interpretive Special Event Training (FOCUS)
Start Planning For…
- 2026, All Year: America 250
- January 1: First Day Hikes
- January 2-3: CA King Tides Project
- January 7: Volunteer Coordination Training (FOCUS)
- January 27: Tribal Consultation Training (FOCUS)
- February, All Month: Black History Month
- March, All Month: Women’s History Month
November
- November, All Month: Native American Heritage Month
- 11: Veterans Day State Holiday
- 15-23: OHV Safety Week
- 17-21: Cultural Resource Interpretation (FOCUS)
- 18: Webinar—Crafting Themes
- 27: Thanksgiving Day State Holiday
- 28: Day after Thanksgiving State Holiday
- 30: 250th Anniversary of the Anza Expedition’s entry into modern-day CA
December
- 4-5: CA King Tides Project
- 6: 160th Anniversary of the Ratification of the13th Amendment
- 10: Webinar—Interpretation Book Club
- 15: Whale Tail Grants application deadline, CA Coastal Commission
- 25: Christmas Day State Holiday
Interested in writing an article? Want to share a resource? Got a success story?
Write to us at: interpretation.staff@parks.ca.gov
Fall 2025 Catalyst Team Members:
Anne Cooper and Devin McCutchen (editors)
Jonathan Camacho (website) — Kim Milruya (graphic designer)
Copyright (C) 2025 CA State Parks, Interpretation and Education Division. All rights reserved.