2012 Calendars Are Here!

Plan ahead with these beautiful wall calendars from local photographer, Michael Santa Cruz.


This year's edition of the Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos calendar is stunning and includes several images of our parks. It is available in all five of our parkstores.




Visit his website to see the selection of other calendars that he offers for sale. http://apollopub.com/home.html

Michael says about his work"I have been taking pictures for most of my life because photography is my way of being able to share the beauty I see with others. I am a nature lover and an art enthusiast finding my peace and joy in the great outdoors and in the beautiful creations of others. We are all surrounded by a magnificently beautiful world. Yet in our busy, complex life-styles, much of this beauty becomes forgotten and ignored. It is my hope that these photographs can bring you some of the great joy and peace I felt when I was taking them."

Mother's Day in the Parks

Why not take your favorite mother for a walk in the park this weekend?

Upcoming events this Sunday, Mother's Day, May 8th include:
"Search for the Fountain of Health" at Rancho Del Oso
"Wildflower Walk" at Rancho Del Oso
"The Women of Big Basin" at Big Basin
"Redwood Loop Walk" at Big Basin
"What's That Bird?" at Big Basin
For more information on these and other park events for the month of May, click here.

Here are some suggested gifts from our 5 parkstores.

Natural Bridges

French Metal Barrettes

State Parks Hiking Guide, Metal Water Bottle with State Parks Logo, Happy Camper Socks

Seacliff

Seacliff Water Bottle, California State Parks Beach Towel, Whale Watching Handbook

Wilder Ranch

Local Butterflies Guide, Lupines and Monarchs T-Shirt

New Brighton

Chinese Silk Covered Journal, Sandalwood Fan

Santa Cruz Mission

Coiled Basket, Dentalium Shell Necklace, Abalone Earrings

Wilder Ranch is Busy This Spring

This local favorite has so much to offer. With it's 34 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails visitors have many lovely vistas to enjoy and habitats to discover.
A good place to start exploring is in the historic complex which consists of about half a dozen historic buildings that are open to the public. See farm animals in their fields, pens and stalls.
On many weekends costumed docents are on hand to regale you with Wilder Ranch lore and demonstrate skills from an earlier time.




You can step inside the visitor center and meet some of the people who have called this place home.


You can also learn about the habitats, plants and wildlife in these beautifully painted in murals.



While you are there, stop in to the parkstore and browse among carefully selected merchandise which reflects the park's themes. Your purchases help Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks in our mission to support the educational programs in the park.


Upcoming Events:
On Saturday April 30 you can be a part of the annual event "Spring Garden Planting Day" from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Help plant the heirloom vegetable garden as it would have been c.1900. Also enjoy composting demonstrations, gardening information and children's garden crafts. The event is held on the grounds of the Wilder Ranch Cultural Preserve.

On May 15-17 Wilder Ranch will become the newest site on the international Xterra tour. Xterra operates the nation's leading off-road triathlon series as well as a trail run series which has rapidly become its fastest growing segment. You can read more on their website here. If you go, stop by the Friends booth in the Expo area to say "Hi".

For more information about Wilder Ranch State Park, visit the California State Parks website here or become a fan on Facebook here.

Take a Look Under the Sea

"Marc Shargel is an inspired photographer who has the unique ability to capture the mystery, deep beauty, raw power, and fragile nature of the underwater world that is our California coast. Through his eyes and exceptional talent, each of us can explore and embrace our living, yet threatened, coast."

—Fred Keeley, former Speaker pro Tempore, California State Assembly. Author of the Marine Life Management Act.

All three volumes in this beautiful set of books by Marc Shargel are now available at Natural Bridges State Beach and Seacliff State Beach. The books are organized geographically into three California coastal regions: Southern, North Central and Far North, each with stunning photos and educational text.
We also have some of these images available on notecards. It was hard to chose just a dozen images for our stores from the amazing assortment he offers!


And, especilly for kids, we have "Incredible Ocean", an around-the-world journey that is as fantastic as it is fascinating. This amazing book is filled with facts and photos about our boundless oceans and the many types of animals who call them home. A global mapping feature helps children locate where each subject can be found throughout the world.

Spring Shawls

When I attended the San Mateo Gem and Jewelry Show, I was not looking for shawls. But when I found this selection with butterflies and flowers in bright spring colors, I had to bring some back! The prices are great at only $25 each. They are lightweight, just right for keeping the chill off in the evenings. They are made from 70% Pashmina and 30% silk and have a delightful feel. Available exclusively at Natural Bridges State Beach.
Remember that Mother's Day is coming up on May 8th!

April is National Garden Month

We have seeds from local companies to make your garden grow!
Douglas-Michel butterfly plants is a husband/wife team from Aromas that has been supplying us with varieties of milkweed seeds for many years. They run a home-based nursery that is dedicated to providing quality plants that attract butterflies; and to educating the public about the challenges presented in preserving the environment for butterflies. Their specialty is growing Monarch host plants including Ascelpias curassavica ("Silky Gold" and "Red Butterfly"), Asclepias Speciosa, and Asclepias Fruticosa (nut tree). Visitors to Natural Bridges are often motivated after visiting the park, to plant milkweed as this is the only plant on which the Monarch butterflies choose to lay their eggs. These are available at Natural Bridges only.

This year we chose selections from the vast seed offerings of Renee's Garden in Felton. Owner, Renee Shepard, established Renee's Garden to do what she likes best - searching out the very best seeds from around the world, testing them in her own gardens, cooking (and developing recipes around their unique characteristics), and sharing them with other gardeners.
The seeds are enclosed in individually written packets which feature beautiful watercolor portraits, personally written descriptions, complete growing instructions, a quick-view planting chart, growing tips, harvesting information and cooking ideas.





















Variety packets of Renee's seeds are available in all 5 of our parkstores.

For 101 suggestions for celebrating National Garden Month visit the National Gardening Association website here. http://www.nationalgardenmonth.org/index.php?page=101ways

Celebrate at Wilder Ranch on April 30 by attending the Spring Garden Planting Day/Earth Day Celebration. On Saturday, April 30 from 11:00am to 3:00pm, you can plant a seed for Earth Day at Wilder Ranch State Park. You’ll get your hands dirty while helping plant a little history in the Wilder Ranch Heirloom Garden. Ranch Hands of all ages are welcome. Children can plant and bring home their own sunflower or heirloom bean. There will be living history demonstrations, composting information, and refreshments. For more information follow this link. http://www.santacruzstateparks.org/whatsnew/news_detail.php?id=178

A Thanks to Tim Ward Art Studios

One of the local businesses that helped out tremendously with our "Save The Lifeguards" campaign was Tim Ward Art Studios. Tim generously donated his time to create the logo for the campaign. We were so fortunate to have his talent in this area.

In the design and illustration realm, Ward's involvement in action sports culture has evolved from local notoriety to international distinction. He has worked with some of the largest names in these industries and has also created an extensive portfolio outside of them.

Many of us locals know him for his popular line of Santa Cruz stickers which you will see on cars all over town. We have been carrying these stickers quite successfully in our parkstores at Natural Bridges and Seacliff State Beaches. Tim donates a portion of the proceeds from these stickers to local environmental organizations.



















Artwork by Ward covers a wide range- from beautiful oil on canvas paintings and dreamlike graphite drawings to regularly published illustration and internationally acclaimed logo branding. In much of his painting and drawing work, Ward strives to share the serenity and the beauty of the ocean and sky. These images are striking and subtle all at once. His unique graphites and colorful oils have been exhibited in California and Hawaii.

To see more of Tim's work, visit his website at www.TimWard.com