Volume 20, Number 4 Newsle�er of the CALIFORNIA STATE PARK RANGERS ASSOCIATION Autumn 2020 “State Park experts and professionals advoca�ng for State Parks since 1964.” President’s Message I have served on the CSPRA support of the California State State Park Board for nearly eight years as Parks 150th Anniversary in Career by a Director, Treasurer, and the 2014,including funding and Charles lastfour years as President. I being one of the editors for Melhert. have enjoyed this service and the Staff Photo Album. feel I have been able to Active make a lastingpositive Organized the largest and promotion contribution to CSPRA, the considered to be one of the of the World Ranger Congress CSPRA membership, and finest California Parks and CSPRA member California State Parks. Conference ever, that was participation for bothin held Yosemite Valley, during Colorado and in Nepal. Here’s an overview of the the department 150th most significant projects and Anniversary (2014). CSPRA’s active support for efforts that I was substantially the Cadet graduation involvementwith or that I Acting as CSPRA’s ceremonies. headed up during my time on representative to the the Board or as President: International Ranger Leading the CSPRA effort to Federation (IRF) for nearly 20 protect the cultural resources Establishment of the Ranger years. of Jack London SHP that Foundation (RF) and my resulted in the filing the first- service as RF President. Major Initiating CSPRA organizing ever CSPRA legal action effortsby the RF include Line World Ranger Day events on against the department. of Duty Death grants, Covid-19 an annual basis. victim grants, disaster relief Taking an active role in the program, grants for Latin Bringing CSPRA conferences legislation to ban smoking in American Rangers to attend back into state park locations state parks. the 2019 Nepal World Ranger (Morro Bay, Fort Tejon, Mono Congress andseveral other Lake, Anza-Borrego and It has been my honor serve worthwhile projects. Donner Memorial) and on the CSPRA Board and as including local park staff in President. I hope to continue Developing affiliation the conferences. to be activein several areas agreements with the including the Ranger Association of National Park CSPRA’s active support of the Foundation, the legal action, Rangers (ANPR), the California California State Park Ranger World Ranger Day events, and Parks Hospitality Association 150th Anniversary in 2016. the affiliation with the (CPHA) and the California International Ranger League of Park Associations Promoted and edited several Federation. (pending). state park related books including Me and the Mother Headed up CSPRA’s active Tree byPetey Weaver and My The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page1 CSPRA Ranger Foundation OFFICERS 2020 Wildfire Relief PRESIDENT Mike Lynch, Re�red Ranger/Supt. At the six week point in the The RF anticipates that (530) 613-4732, [email protected] Ranger Foundation (RF) there will be more grant wildfire relief program. 32 applications from the VICE PRESIDENT Ann Meneguzzi, Re�red, Sup. Rgr. grants (27 from Santa Cruz current fires and with new (209) 373-9844, [email protected] District) have gone out for a wildfires threatening various total of $28,417. There are parks right now, there will SECRETARY Jeff Price, Re�red Ranger, Sup two pending requests. no doubt be additional (805) 278-9201, [email protected] losses by park staff. Grants have gone to all TREASURER Tom Bernardo, Re�red Ranger/Supt. classifications of the state If you would like to help and (916) 990-2009, [email protected] park family: camp hosts, donate to the RF wildlife maintenance, rangers, relief effort, go online at DIRECTORS Miles Standish, Re�red Ranger interpreters, administrative, h�p://www.ranger.founda�on/ (831) 466-9789, [email protected] seasonals and retired all suffered loses due to the Or you can write a check to: Joanna Kerbavz, Env. Scien�st (650) 720-5007, [email protected] wildfires and also include Ranger Foundation and mail three grants to Solano it to: Frank Padilla, Jr, Ret. Ranger/Supt. County rangers. To date, (805) 660-0245, [email protected] 2020 wildfire relief Tom Bernardo, Treasurer Kim Preston, Ret. Admin. Chief donations have amounted to 11426 Gold Country Blvd. (530) 589-0250, [email protected] nearly $27,000 and Gold River, CA 95670 additional donations, one Steve Ptomey, Interpreter III (559) 972-5844, [email protected] from the California State Park Foundation, are Neill Fogarty, Supervising SPPO pending. (707)364-5173, [email protected] Rob Picke�, Supervising Ranger (661)618-6924, [email protected] PAST PRESIDENT Victor Bjelajac, North Coast Redwoods [email protected] ADMINISTRATION Mike Lynch, Ac�ng Execu�ve Manager P.O. Box 3212, Bowman, CA 95604-3212 MEMBER SERVICES Betsy Anderson (707) 884-3949, [email protected] INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS Jeffery B. Price, Webmaster [email protected] www.cspra.com The CSPRA Wave ISSN 0087-9176 Brian Cahill, Editor [email protected] Published by CSPRA, PO Box 3212 Bowman, CA 95604-3212 Deadline for next issue January 1
The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page2 2020 Honorary Ranger Award The COVID pandemic prevented 2020's in-person CSPRA Gathering & Retiree Rendezvous at Donner Memorial State Park. However September 14 was still Honorary Ranger Day for David Allen of Native Sons of the Golden West (NSGW). In 1918 NSGW donated the Donner Monument and eleven acres to commemorate the Donner Party history. David Allen and NSGW are active in the current Donner Project to restore the deteriorating original monument. Social distancing meant only a few were nearby as Mike September 14 socially distanced ceremony at the Donner Lynch named David Allen Monument. Pictured L-R Tom Bernardo, Carl Chavez, Hon- the 2020 Honorary Ranger orary Ranger David Allen, Mike Lynch, Ann Meneguzzi because of his years of support for Donner Memorial The Awards Committee is David Nelson, SP through his volunteer accepting nominations for [email protected] or efforts as a leader of NSGW the 2021 Honorary Ranger. direct to:honorary- for historic recognition and Contact Carl Chavez, @cspra.com preservation. [email protected] or World Ranger Day Celebration July 31 A low-key, socially distanced gathering held at Donner Memorial SP Visitor Center. California State Parks and Rangers Association Stand with the World's Rangers
Mike Lynch (CSPRA President),Jeremy Lin (Donner Memorial SP),Bill Bowness (Donner Memorial SP), Ann Meneguzzi (CSPRA VP),Heidi Doyle (Sierra State Parks Foundation) and Patsy Lynch. The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page3 Park Rangers Create Their Own Adventures
Ranger Wualmort Moreno, Venezuela (Note this story was machine translated and we resisted the urge to rewrite it to preserve the author’s voice as much as possible) "No one can pass through life, more than can pass through a field, without leaving clues behind, and those clues can often be useful to those who come after you in search of their way." -Lord Baden Powell own canoe, in a way of life, teacher, Clan Wood Badge, I start with this phrase, more than work, which was in the Scouts and Rescue of because just as I am a born at 8 years old, as a the Unit Rescue Group Ranger forever, I am also a cub, in the herd of the Scout Industrial Safety and Rescue Scout, forever and "I will Group Humboldt 724, in Technician (UTSIR), in San alwaysBe Prepared". Caracas Venezuela. Cristóbal, Táchira state, Venezuela. If I had been asked 20 years My name isWualmort ago, what do you expect to Moreno, Deputy Ranger of I was born, in my be a Park Ranger in 20 the Venezuelan Ranger grandparents' house, in the years, I would not have Corps, attached to the beautiful town, imagined what I would live Táchira Region, I am a coincidentally, in the limits and do, because I was Lawyer and Higher and boundaries of the creating my own adventure, University Technician in "Chorro El Indio" National and I would only row my Tourism, also a university Park, where I work.
I have always identified with nature and always, somehow, conscious and unconscious, I have protected and fought for it. I remember that in 1982, when I was admitted to the Santo Tomás de Aquino Seminary, when I was only 11 years old, I participated in the combat of my first vegetation fire, in the pines that were near the seminary. I remember it was at the beginning of the year and my parents had bought me some new shoes and give
The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page4 them to me, with the fire. previously, I worked as a From there, my self-denial rescue on the roads and Civil for nature began, following Defense, for that time, not learned guidelines, during being able to obtain my life as a Wolf Cub Scout permanent work. That is, and then as a Scout. there were already previous sacrifices, with long shifts, As a teenager, I joined weekends, Christmas and Rescue Groups, specializing New Years, carnivals and in mountain rescue, and as Easter, in operations, for an adult, I continued as a many years, but they were Clan leader, in the Scouts of always 24-hour shifts, with Venezuela, obtaining my 24 free. "Wood Badge", in Clan, today, with pride to make But as a Ranger, they were worthy young people weeks and many times they formed, for the service of were prolonged by other God, family, country and more followed weeks, by life. operations, fires, Rescue, loggers and others. In February 2002, trying to mountains of the city of San find my calling, in Rescue Cristóbal, by vehicle). In the "El Tamá" National and protection of Nature, I Park, that great adventure submitted my CV to join the I left and arrived scared, but began, which today I live as proud National Park with the impetus to do my a way of life, being a park Institute. I remember that I job and more ... There ranger. There, I had to had the interview, and I had began "my own adventure", rescue missing people, help the profile to be a Field alone and protecting a fairly with floods, first aid, help Technician, but I wanted to large area, on foot and on the communities present in be a Park Ranger, ignoring horseback. In the latter, I the National Park. Once, I the sacrifices and life that I was assigned a horse called saw a boy pass in front of would have when obtaining "Tenso", a spirited the stall, stop him and I this wonderful job. quarterhorse, and we got asked him where he was connected at once, my going, he replied going to I entered to take the Ranger faithful friend, and we the warehouse, on the way course, and I have always traveled many paths, in that to buy a headache pill, you commented, that I thought National Park. I started to imagine, he came from that being Ranger, despite get to know communities three hours walking and He my age, was like Ranger and I also started to get was missing four more Smith from the comic series away from my children and hours, to buy a pill? "The Yogi Bear", that was my my family. thinking of being Ranger in I experienced many Venezuela. So, as I said at the situations there, in that post beginning, it is a way of life, in Santa Elena. Many times I finished my studies as Park since I would leave home for they told me that the Rangers, and on October 25, 20 days, to be alone, for military were worse because 2002, I showed up at the just two days off and that I they spent more time in the headquarters of INPARQUES had four hours to walk, from posts, and yes, it is true; TÁCHIRA, at seven in the the post, to the exit of the but never comparable with a morning, to be transferred National Park , many times Ranger, alone, in the to where I was assigned as leaving at three in the mountains, without Park Rangers, to El Tamá morning to get to the main companions and the only National Park, in the Region road, early, and thus share communication a radio Táchira, for the Western with my family. transmission, when there sector, Santa Elena Ranger was light. Station, (4 hours in the I must emphasize that The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page5 There was so much Education, Surveillance and almost 980 meters high, loneliness that what made Control tours, control of called by the native me sleep was the static of natural risks, attention to Pemones Kerepakupai the portable radio I had, tourists, local and strangers, Venáen, which means "jump since not even the radio among other things. from the deepest place "). A station signal came. But just very beautiful experience, as I experienced sadness, I was also a park ranger in imagine the work of a Park also joy and a lot of Nueva Esparta state, on Ranger who knows people satisfaction of having Margarita Island, in Laguna who have never left their helped, during my de la Restinga National Park, birthplace, who do not know outstanding years in that a coastal marine park. cities and know their place. ancestral experiences, There I began to be a learning from their humility, From there I went to the sponge in terms of how they live in the jungle. Chorro el Indio National knowledge. I learned from Park, closer to the house, fellow Rangers how to make Then, they highlighted the but more work in rescue and the journey through the Dinira National Park (Dinira, police areas, protecting mangroves in the dark, in the ancestral indigenous forests and hunting, crimes without a guiding light from language of the native provided for in Venezuelan the boat and everything is Arawaco means: "Dinta" law. They gave me the done in memory. That is, at hills in the shape of breasts, opportunity to study and I night, without a flashlight or comparing the fact of giving graduated as a Higher light, they knew by heart, sap and life). There is the Technician in Tourism, and where to go and where very famous El Vino Hotel Management, with there were or not waterfall, very visited by that title I started to be mangroves ... What an local and foreign tourists, Superintendent of the experience. In turn, I saw and we stopped them Chorro El Indio National Park the natural phenomenon of Larense, another experience and the "Abra Río Frío" the glowing lagoon, at night, of people, cultures and very Natural Monument, there I I think by the concentration good friends ... A beautiful made a commitment to work of salinity. and large national park, is the 24 hours and seven days distributed by three states, a week, coordinating After there, go to Canaima Lara, Trujillo and operations and always National Park, Southeast Portuguesa. protecting the Park and the Venezuela, another majestic Monument, work on wildlife experience, both by the Then, I returned again to recovery, Environmental Angel Falls (The waterfall of the Táchira Region, to the Chorro el Indio National Park, where I specialized in Environmental Police, and graduated as a Lawyer. Thanks to the National Park Institute, nowadays with hierarchies, as Deputy Park Ranger, I have achieved everything proposed in my work and in my life, with my achievements. The only thing I think is that I did not see my children grow up, nowadays grown and out of the country, I wish I had had more time with them, as children and
The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page6 surveillance tours and this beautiful career and to control, the ranger posts live, live, live, the joy that and the love and defense of work is being done to nature, we have no defend nature, doing the difference, from one right thing, because it is the country to another. And with right thing. the same sacrifices and way of life, as a Ranger. I still have a lot to learn, help and defend natural I am an instructor of the areas, I aspire to be able to new park rangers and I help other Rangers around always tell them two the world, how I do it here phrases that is my in my beautiful country of characteristic, one that the Venezuela. Being able to park ranger creates his own help the Ranger Foundation, adventure within the park take my experience and and the second that the knowledge to other adolescents. But they park ranger never gets lost latitudes, and see the future formed as a good man and in his park, two maxims that of us, reflected every day, in woman, being proud of their I always make them what gives us life, nature. park ranger father and understand and reach. identifying where they are I have my children, I have going, with other park I had the happiness, the planted many trees and rangers from other honor and grace of God, to now, I will dedicate myself countries, naming me. My meet Jeff Ohlfs, from the to write a book about my children, Sthefany and Ranger Foundation and a Ranger adventure. There is Danny, my pride ... and dream of meeting other little time, and the words to they know the sacrifice and Rangers from all over the write, in these 25 park what they fought for for world, participating in the ranger masters, but the only what gives us life, nature Ninth World Ranger thing left for me to say is and the National Parks and Congress, held in Nepal, in Thank you, my Lord and Natural Monuments, not only November 2019. God, for giving me so much of Venezuela, but of the satisfaction as a ranger. world. Thanks to the Ranger Today, I am already 50 years Foundation, for taking me old, just 25 years as a park into account, for realizing so ranger and more. Something much greatness and humility that was born from being in me, in my life and being Scouts, from feeling Meeting in person Mike and hopefully someday, I empathy for nature and his Lynch and Jeff Ohlfs of the will be able to compensate life, in a Seminary, of living Ranger Foundation and them with my work and every moment on every today of the International help, the many that they journey, of vigilance and Federation of Rangers, as have done for me. I can control. well as other great people, never thank you ... who made me see that we More than 6 masters ago, I are important Rangers in the Finally, the only thing I can met Oswaldo Barassi was world, and as a Ranger, I will express to you is that the the Ranger of Brazil and be a Ranger forever. Great Rangers are beings that Marcelo, and through social and humble people. many times people do not networks, we were building know, but thanks to us, the a friendship and getting to Thanks to the Ranger planet can breathe every know Rangers from other Foundation, I had that day. God bless you. countries, other commitment to participate experiences, but always the and meet other colleagues, Ranger Wualmort Moreno same and in common, the to thank God, for giving me Venezuela The CSPRA Wave – Fourth Quarter 2020 – Page 7 Touched By History
ByRangerSusanC.Grove This was originally written in 2002 for the Big Basin centennial but has new res- onance for today
It was April of 1991, years ago now. How is it possible that much time hasgone by? I reported for my first day of work at Big Basin Redwoods State Park and was assigned to Ranger Brooks Collom on that first day. I soon met the rest of the ranger ranks... Supervising RangerKen Morris,Rangers Mimi Guiney, Steve Oka, Jeff Lee andFred Matsuura. I had transferred to Big Basin fromPfeiffer Big Sur, not because I was awed by the grandeur or history of the park. campground patrols (on foot teens. The campfire circle and Instead, I needed to be within every Friday and Saturday Andrew Hill's studio were also a commutable distance of my nights), interpretive programs, in the same vicinity, creating a husband's graduateschool in "exterior" patrol of the fire hub for the park near Opal the Silicon Valley. roads, fielding questions such Creek, on the opposite side of as "where is the tree that you the road from the current My first memory of Big Basin is drive through?", and when I Headquarters. as a camper when I was 10 could squeeze it in, research. years old. I'membarrassed to Thecreation of the State Park say that feeding the deer was Living in the "custodian's System in 1928 led to increased the highlight of our outing. At cottage", built in 1939, put me publicity for thehandful of that time, the camp store sold right in themidst of historic parks in existence at that time. "deer food", a mixture of rabbit Governor's Camp. If only the In 1933, a Civilian Conservation pellets andoatmeal. Little did I broken down walls of the old Corps(CCC) camp was know that 20 years later,I lodge and the still-strong established at Big Basin. The would spend hours attempting trunks of the towering trees hard work of the CCC to educate visitors about the could talk. They would have enrolleesled to a significant hazards of feeding human food much to say... increase in the quality and to the deer. quantity of facilities at the Big Basin was very remote in park.Many beautiful redwood Mygentle lectures often fell on those days. Facilities were structures constructed by the deaf ears. Many adults my age fairly limited, roads were poor CCC are still in use today had brought theirchildren to and automobiles were few.A including Park Headquarters, the park specifically to feed "clubhouse" was built along the the park store, the campfire the deer and to cultivate the bank of Opal Creek when the center and dressing rooms, and same fond memories in their park was created. It is no the nature lodge. During the offspring that they had of the longer in existence. A lodge, 40s and 50s, Big Basin thrived activity.Along with "please still standing, cabins and a duringwhat I would consider its don't feed the deer" contacts, I tennis court, long gone, were golden days. It became a true soon fell intothe routine of erected nearby in the early vacation destination and
The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page8 offered a wide range of center of activity and the site recreational opportunities of many park naturalist including a swimming pool, conferences. rowboats in Opal Creek, shuffleboard and other Currently,the lodge building is activities at the busy lodge, a unusedand largely unnoticed. dancefloor,tennis, and very The hub of activity has shifted popular nature walks and across the road and centers campfire programs. Facilities around the store, nature lodge included a store, dining room, andheadquarters buildings. cabins, a gas station and a post The park is everybit as busy, office. The post office served but today's visitors come the park employees, the simply to camp, hike, picnic, concession employees, and the and gaze atthe centuries old staff andcampers from the trees. Shuffleboard is nowhere three Girl Scout camps that is be found. Duringmytimeat Big Basin in operated at the park. A small the early 90s, I was fortunate village of residences and Big Basin Redwoods was not to meet PeteyWeaver and dormitories was erected near only the firsttraditional park Leonard Penhale, who have thelodge and was no doubt a in our current system, it had both since passed on. I busy place in summer. the first woman park ranger, received instruction from Mr. Harriett "Petey" Weaver who Penhale on how to care for the As the years wore on and saw a joined the staff at Big Basin in animals, still on display at the shift toward preservation rather 1930 and served as a seasonal Nature Lodge. than recreation,activity in the here and at other parks for 20 park quieted down. The Girl years. It has the first nature I've sat at Park Headquarters Scout camps closed and museum in the State Park and chuckled over the became park campgrounds. system. The store building was yellowed newspaper clippings The post office closed and constructed in 1937 by the CCC announcingPaula Peterson's became the snack bar.The and the lunch counter portion hiring, one of which headlines dancefloor closed in 1951, the of the building wasconverted "Paula's Pretty,and a Park swimming pool was filled-in in to a nature lodge in the early Ranger!" I've gazed in awe at 1953, the cabins at thelodge forties. Park NaturalistLeonard original Andrew P.Hill were torn down in 1961 and Penhale taxidermied all the photographs and I've caressed the lodge closed. The gas animals for the displays in the the leather covers of the station then closed as well late 40s and early 50s. Big visitors' registries in which I and was torn down in 1973. Basin also had the first found the old fashioned permanent woman park ranger, signatures of park visitors With the cabins and employees Paula Peterson, who washired spanning 20 years starting in dormitories gone at the lodge, in 1972 and was featured in 1904. the lonely building stood alone numerous newspapers where it has once been the announcing her new career. I've climbed the same concrete stairway as did hundreds of CCC enrollees, day in and day out sixty years before me, the only remainingremnant of the bustling camp. I touched history when I worked at Big Basin, andin turn, it deeply touched me. I came to care for this place in a very special way,as no doubt thousands of others before me, and after me, have cared and willcare in years to come.
The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page9 A Question of Balance
By John Quirk extraordinaire work for an agency historically viewed as Originally published in one for which anyone CSPRA’sCal Ranger could work. journal, Winter 1990. Consequently it is exceedingly There is a coin of convenient to insert inestimable worth and personnel with little indeterminate or no field experience substance. The face or qualification into bears the symbol of high level positions to professional pride. achieve all sorts of The reverse portrays ends: to return the likeness of political favors; to mediocrity. We carry balance the it with us throughout inadequate work-force our career, often parity efforts of higher letting it tumble status agencies; or across our fingers, simply to "park" first this side up then that, of all we might accomplish someone else's problem until watching the vision of if freed of the burden of it recedes or retires. exemplary achievement being just a tiny part of a ever tempered by the huge slow-motion machine. And how professional are we reality of a mountain only But then, it is axiomatic of perceived in view of our halfway climbed. Heads or organizational life that the varied functions? What tails? It is our choice. But very energy, enthusiasm, esteem/ status/ worth does remember it is but one coin; and knowledge that gets us society attribute a cop? the flipside is inexorably hired must be harnessed, teacher? groundskeeper? ours as well. and even curtailed at times, security guard? bureaucrat? before we become valued. How do we extrapolate this With this coin in pocket, notion of professional confident that our Stetson- For public servants extraordinaire? How do we topped image is intact, we organizational life is further answer when confronted by stride forward dedicated to complicated. Our leaders the questionnaire used by the task of preserving the seem to act mostly as sails insurance companies, natural beauty of our in a political wind. "Good' magazines, and environment. We are sure nuf for guvmint work" is the multitudinous others which that we will prevail; that unofficial and unwanted in part always asks people will like us; that we company motto. Mediocrity something like "please check will reach them. If deterred, is the standard. The status is the term which best we will reach their children, well below that of Doctor, describes your employment: or reach out into their Lawyer, or Indian Chief. Professional; Trades; Service urban, ethnic, or economic Industry; Government; niche and show them the Yet another reality of public Other?" Should we check beauty of the larger habitat service is that agencies are them all? we cherish. In our hearts are status ranked within we not professionals government. The Perhaps our confidence extraordinaire? Department of Parks and sprouts from a shared Recreation is not exactly knowledge that Too bad we are only near the top. It is ironic that professionalism is but a government workers. Think we professionals state of mind, an attitude, a
The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page10 moral conviction. We know more than what we appear. that professionalism, like quality, is ephemeral. Once And sometimes, when the defined it is lost. Such things pieces fall together just are pointed at and right, in the periphery we universally recognized notice that someone is whence they occur. Lacking watching. Our eyes meet an essential ingredient, no those of the stranger and we amount of practice can see for an instant that we produce them. have just been perceived as larger than life. And if this is Those of us committed for not enough to make our day, the duration share this the Doctor / Lawyer / Indian essential ingredient as a Chief approaches and family secret. Part enthusiastically says magician's trick, part something which sounds like wizard's skill, part Zen "I always wanted to be a master's perception, our Park Ranger. You know what? resulting craft is surprisingly You have a great job!” not occult at all but rather quite scientific. It is a well- We smile and let the coin honed eye for opposites in tumble across our fingers. attraction: for day and Without looking at it we put night, life and death, earth it in our pocket. The world and water, wind and fire. We spirit of the law while seems right. Once again we strive to make sense of the handling a dangerous are reminded that it is all gray area between disparate situation safely, efficiently, worthwhile. objects. and correctly. It is there for all to see during fires, We dare to appreciate floods, lesser emergencies, mushrooms and the myriad and during just plain tough ABOUT THE AUTHOR of slimy slithery things often times when all those who thought fit only for a witch's work in a park pull together John Quirk is a retired cauldron. We as well as to make it through. Harder California State Park anyone understand what to discern but no less Ranger, Superintendent and Muir meant when he spoke important is the National Park of things being hitched to professionalism that occurs Superintendent. His everything else. For us it is in the paper pushed across published works can be always a question of the desks and in the issues found under the name J.R. balance. We find answers discussed in countless Quirk. where others see only meetings and phone calls by questions, and in answers rangers behind desks. A Harvard graduate, John we find questions. worked as a private We are just government investigator before Our professionalism is workers, but in that gray obtaining a graduate degree crafted by the ranger area between the individual and certification as a leading a nature walk who and the organization we see psychologist. In 1977 he left transforms a slough a system. All the slow a federal job in Washington, surrounded by tract homes moving paper and often D.C. to seek a more into an estuary alive and tedious bureaucracy serve to rewarding career. In 1978 he vital to the coastal give substance to the decided that a California environment's health and inspiring nature walk, to the State Park Stetson would fit beauty. It is shaped by the dramatic rescue, to the just fine. After a six-year patrol ranger who adroitly team effort, to professional effort, he was appointed in balances the letter and the pride. We know that we are 1984. The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page11 The author details the exploration, establishment, Book exploitation, and management of the park, Review including its boundary revisions, problems with Alfred Runte, Yosemite: concessionaires (including The Embattled Wilderness. the venerable Ansel Adams), Foreword by Jarrell C. and legislative challenges. In Jackman. Revised and an update to the 1990 Updated Edition. Guilford, edition he includes Connecticut: Lyons Press, information on the 1997 2020; 272 pages; notes, flood and the Mariposa illustrations, index; Grove restoration. The fine paperbound, $24.95. photos and illustrations that revised to bring it up to the appeared in the first (1990) What do you think of when present. edition are carried forward you hear the word in this current volume. “Yosemite”? What images Fellow University of come to mind? California, Santa Barbara In the interest of full alumnus (and CSPRA disclosure, I have had the At the top of my list are Honorary Ranger)Jerry good fortune to know both waterfalls, granite Jackman has provided an Al andJerry for many years. monoliths, wildflowers, introduction to both author I also want to be clear that I glacier-carved canyons, and and subject, and in turn am serious and sincere when the jagged metamorphic honors some of the I say that this book is must Sierran crest. There’s also outstanding professors who reading for any park the bears, the birds, and the helped shape both Jerry and professional, in whatever bugs; luxuriant meadows; Al in their professional capacity, active or retired, and three giant Sequoia careers. (I know, because I, new hire or veteran. It groves. too, was the beneficiary of provides insights into issues those teachers’ intellectual of wildlife and human I also think about the 200 rigor and personal support.) management, recreation miles of paved roads, 800 Jerry’s introduction is and preservation, miles of trails, a thousand- insightful and illuminating, accommodations and plus buildings, three dams, a giving the work to follow a wilderness, development power plant, and the crowds greater depth, and a and maintenance, access that keep me away from the platform from which any and carrying capacity that park during the busy Yosemite aficionado might can be learned from and summer season. similarly view the park and utilized in any number of its complex past. geographic settings and park Alfred Runte takes all of classifications. these (and more) into Runte pays particular account in his landmark attention to some of the We all can still learn from treatise that is a history, an important persons whose the past, and what better analysis, and an appraisal of work and insights impacted way then to study—and this magnificent segment of on the park. His enjoy—one of the greatest the Sierra Nevada that is examination of the roles places on earth, right here among the greatest tourist that biologistsJoseph in the still Great State of destinations in the world. Grinnell, George Wright, California. How it has been managed, Tracy Storer and others treated, damaged and played is critical reading for Reviewed by restored is the subject of any park manager (or this important book, now in Robert C. Pavlik employee or visitor, for that San Luis Obispo its second edition and matter).
The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page12 Wave Goodbye Karl Knapp Carl Drake Lorene Coleman Karl Knapp Carl became a California Anybody that began his career State Lifeguard in 1972 and knewLorene at Parks 45 years worked at Huntington State Coleman knew ago at Prairie Beach and San Clemente that she loved Creek Redwoods State Beach and then playing State Park advanced through the softball. And where he was Department ranks until his she wasn’t one of the last retirement in 2004. just a ho-hum un-badged PI player either. Rangers. It was there that Carl served as a LG Karl would develop and Supervisor II at Huntington, Lorene Ellen Coleman was advance new ways to design as the State Lifeguard Chief born in Hot Springs, South and build trails—establishing / Aquatic Specialist, as a Dakota on May 19, 1932. Her the State Park’s Trails Superintendent III & IV and first homestead was dug into program with District eventually was promoted as the mountains on the Maintenance Chief Don the Director of the State southern edge of the Black Beers. Those methods are Parks Off Highway Vehicle Hills. It’s been told that still used today across the Division. when her mother, Maud entire park system and the Cone, was in labor her dad, principles have been taught Carl ran the statewide Ivan Cone, loaded her into and adopted throughout the lifeguard training program the sidecar of a motorcycle nation. The North Coast is from 1975-1980. He also and drove her to the also whereKarl would meet became the State Parks hospital for delivery. This is his wifePaula starting their resident Economist. how Lorene, the final family including three sons. member to their Cone He was one of the select family, would arrive. Karl left the Redwoods in few that would ever be a the early 1990’s to take the Lifeguard rescue boat She made her way to District Maintenance Chief operator. Doheny placed him Hydesville, California where position at the Sierra close to Surf Watch III's dock they owned a railroad tie District. While there, he and in the harbor if we needed it business for several years. Don developed and led the and it was not already in During her time living in Trails Training program operation. He also oversaw Hydesville, she met the man presented at the Mott our SCUBA program and all that would become her Training Center. He also of the equipment. and husband,Tom Coleman,and developed the largest and continued to fill in as a had three children. In 1965 most sophisticated Rescue Boat skipper at they bought a place out on maintenance program in the Huntington, San Clemente, Palmer Blvd in Fortuna. And Department, which was then and Santa Cruz until he even though they did not modeled in other districts. retired. stay together, Lorene Later,Karl promoted to stayed in that house for the manage the Statewide Roads rest of her life. and Trails program, later serving as the Facilities Lorene was many things to Management Division Chief. many people. She is Karl was a close confidant of remembered fondly as a ex-director Mangat and key dispatcher for the State player on the leadership Parks in the old Eel River Team developing and District serving as an Office executing the department’s Tech at the time of her Transformation reforms. retirement. The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page13 CSPRA is affiliated with Mixed Metaphors & Malaprops several other non-profit organizations that share our By Jeff Price, goals. Seriously Retired The Park Rangers Mixed Metaphor: A Association of California is combination of thoughts a professional that when strung together organization for park produce a ridiculously funny Rangers and other effect of melded clichés. employees of Send along any overheard municipal, county, slips of the tongue - special district, state [email protected] and federal agencies. Dress for success The International Ranger Federation supporting the Restaurants are going out of Group think as a recom- critical work that the business due to the lack of mended deterrent? world’s park costumers. rangers do in We need to keep working on conserving our Up against the wall? natural and this coronavirus thing until cultural heritage. we achieve herd mentality. There I was, staring into the precipice . . . Federation of Western Princess pirates forced Outdoor Clubs Promotion of guests into the ocean? the Proper Use, Some of these I just can’t Enjoyment and explain. After 3 weeks we finally Protection of walked the plank and got off America’s Scenic We’ve passed over a lot of the cruise ship. Wilderness and water and had to bite the Outdoor Resources. bullet. Cuban geography error. Association of National Park Locked up? Domestic terrorists should Rangers communicating for, be sent with the others to about and with They sure racked horns over Guatemala Bay National Park that one! Service employees of all disciplines and providing a forum for professional enrichment
California Park Hospitality Association representing companies and individuals who provide hospitality services under contract with the California State Parks. California League of Park Associations After the Honorary Ranger presentation on Sept 14, Tom supporting the Bernardo presented a special Award of Thanks to outgoing Non-profits that CSPRA PresidentMike Lynch for his dedication, hard work, are partners with innovation, and successes during his term. State Parks. The CSPRA Wave – FourthQuarter2020 – Page14 VOTE! Retiring Soon? Please complete your CSPRA If you or a co-worker will electronic ballot by Member November 12th. Write be re�ring soon, please
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Membership Type (Check one) Date______� Active $10/month � Active Retired $60/year ($5/mo.) � Supporting $36/year* Membership by Mail: � Organization $50/year* CSPRA — Betsy Anderson � Benefactor $1,000/life* PO Box 618 Gualala, CA 95445 * Please include check for 1 year’s dues for these membership levels. The CSPRA Wave – Fourth Quarter 2020 – Page 15 California State Park Rangers Association CSPRA is an organization of State Park professionals dedicated to advancement of the highest principles of public service, established to support and preserve California State Parks for present and future generations Founded 1964