Summer 2026

Photograph of two uniformed California State Park Interpreters standing in front of an outreach table at a forested fair grounds.

Resources? Resources!

Summer is here, and so are the long summer hours… and the visitors… and the programs… and the projects… and, and, and! With so much to attend to, this issue of The Catalyst is all about helping you get well-resourced. Here you’ll find resources for messaging, resources for making things, resources for getting trained, and even resources for getting inspired.

We do work for the California Natural Resources Agency, after all, and you in your uniform are the face of those natural, cultural, and recreation resources that our parks help protect. Whether visitors are on the water or in it, hiking or riding, camping or day-tripping, your work is vital for helping Californians love and protect these precious resources. Thank you for all that you do!

—The Catalyst Team

Your Questions Answered!

I want to go to an external training, but I can’t afford it!
Wait, where do I get a uniform?

Snowy Plover Toolkit

Angeles District staff share everything you need to run a beachside pop-up program on these beloved shorebirds.

Talk About Water Safety

Simple, well-timed conversations can make a real difference and help prevent emergencies.

The Man Behind the Camera

We turn the camera back around on Brian Baer in this month’s “Beyond Interpretation.”

Coastal Safety for Field Trips

This toolkit helps you prepare visitors of all ages for a safe and fun experience at your park!

Explore Where Rivers Meet

Dos Rios shows what’s possible when Parks and educators work together to create meaningful outdoors access.

2026 Director’s Awards

Photograph of people, some in parks uniforms and others in business casual wear, standing in line on a stage accepting a group award.

Read about the many inspiring interpretive staff who were recognized alongside individuals across nearly all classifications within State Parks at the annual Director’s Awards.

LEARN MORE

Graphic of three intertwined speech boxes with various punctuation accompanied by the text, "What's up? Resources for Interpreters"

Looking to Make a 3D Print?

OHV interpretive staff offer up their new Bambu H2S 3D printer to help you with your next project!

Science Illustration Interns

A new 11-week internship program generates creative energy that can be shared in your park.

NEW Natural Resources Interpretation Training

33 expert trainers + 2 online cohorts + 3 in-person workshops = 1 new training model

Illustration of a bulletin board with text reading "Dates to Know"

JUNE

June, All Month: Pride Month
6: virtual Dockwalker training
8: World Ocean Day
10 – 14: California State Parks Week
16: (Re)Turning to the River Podcast Launches
19: Juneteenth Federal Holiday
21: Summer Solstice

Start Planning For…

9/1: Annual Adventure Pass period begins
9/5 – 9/13: California Biodiversity Day/Week
9/7: Labor Day State Holiday
9/15 – 10/15: Latino Heritage Month
9/19: California Coastal Cleanup Day
9/25: California Native American Day
October: California Archaeology Month
October: California Archives Month
November: Native American Heritage Month
11/10 – 11/13: NAI Conference in Oakland

JULY

All Month: Disability Pride Month
1: New State Parks Events Calendar public launch
3: Independence Day Federal Holiday observed
4: Independence Day State Holiday
31: 2027 Route to Parks grant applications due

AUGUST

5: Intro to PORTS Training (virtual)
12-13: PORTS Training (virtual)
24: PORTS Launch
31: PORTS Programs Resume

Want to subscribe to The Catalyst?
Interested in writing an article? Want to share a resource? Got a success story?

Write to us at: interpretation.staff@parks.ca.gov

Summer 2026 Catalyst Team Members:
Anne Cooper and Devin McCutchen (editors)