The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Did you miss the Hispanic Heritage Month video premiere on Henry Cowell RSP's page? No worries, we've got it here for you! Hispanic Access Foundation’s short film, #IAmCheo, will inspire you to fight climate change and pollution and Henry Cowell RSP’s State Park Interpreter Leslie Reyes shares her love of redwoods and why it’s so important to protect them.

This Hispanic Heritage Month we want to highlight an amazing Mexican-American interpreter at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park! Meet State Parks Interpreter Leslie Reyes! She has been a PORTS interpreter for two years, doing virtual programs before it was cool to Zoom. She has worked with California State Parks since 2013. She loves being outside and connecting students and visitors from all over California and the world to the animals that live in parks in Santa Cruz. Please join her Thursday, October 15 at noon for a Facebook Premiere on Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park’s page to learn more about her story and view Hispanic Access Foundation's short film, #IAmCheo. You’ll be as inspired as Leslie to protect our environment and fight climate change after watching! #HispanicHeritageMonth #LatinxHeritageMonth

In honor of Hispanic heritage month, meet Martin Rizzo. He recently joined State Parks as the Historian for the Santa Cruz District. His grandfather, Santiago Jim Martinez, was born in Gallup, New Mexico, where he raised goats and traded with the local Diné (Navajo) families before moving to California in the 1920s. Their family’s Martinez and Chavez ancestors trace back to the initial Spanish colonial settlement of Santa Fe in the early 1600s. Martin grew up hearing storie...s about the Spanish borderlands of New Mexico, about his grandfather’s mixed blood heritage, and their ancestors participation in the Spanish and Mexican military. His father gave him his name, Martin, in honor of their Martinez family roots. In fact, it was Martin’s fascination with these family stories that inspired him to study history, and to focus on Spanish colonial and Indigenous history as themes for his dissertation and publications. #HispanicHeritageMonth #LatinxHeritageMonth See more

Meet California State Parks’ new director, Armando Quintero.He has been a life-long student of State and National Parks. Throughout his career he has engaged with public lands as a park ranger, personnel specialist, volunteer, science professional, fundraiser, resource manager, elected official, avid park visitor, dad and more. He loves parks, public lands, and waters and feels there could be no greater privilege in his life than to serve parks and the public. Please join us on Monday, October 12 at 10:45 a.m.on California State Parks (@CaliforniaStateParks)Facebook for an interview with the new director to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Castro Adobe State Historic Park! #HispanicHeritageMonth #LatinxHeritageMonth

Moment of relaxation near the creek #takeabreath#redwoods#nisenemarks

This upcoming Sunday (9/20), The Advocates for The Forest of Nisene Marks will be leading a trail work day, helping to brush back the trails in the vicinity of the kiosk parking lot. If you are interested in helping out, please email the Advocates at [email protected]. Make sure to bring water, lunch, and come outfitted in long pants/closed-toe shoes. The event will occur from 9:30 am-2 pm. To learn more about the Advocates, check out their website here: http://www.nisenemarks.org/

Just because Labor Day is over, doesn’t mean summer fun has to end! Our virtual Junior Ranger programs are now available on YouTube! This fun program is designed especially for 7 to 12 year olds. For each program, junior rangers can earn a unique stamp to put in their logbook. Participate in multiple programs and they can earn some very cool rewards!

If you love The Forest of Nisene Marks, then we know you probably love Big Basin Redwoods State Park too. It’s a local (and international) favorite! We know many of you have been worried about the park after hearing about the damage from the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire. If you’d like to help Big Basin, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/BigBasinRecovery to donate to one of Big Basin’s partner organizations.

Thank you all for filling our hearts with your #BigBasinMemories. We deeply appreciate the many requests we’ve received to assist with the restoration of Big Ba...sin Redwoods State Park. You can support the recovery of Big Basin by donating to our partner organizations at parks.ca.gov/BigBasinRecovery #czulightningcomplex See more

Upper sections of Nisene Marks are closed due to wild fires. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

In response to the CZU August Lightning Complex fires, the following state parks are closed until further notice. Thank you for your understanding and stay safe.

The following parks are currently closed in response to the CZU Lightning Complex Fires: Año Nuevo, Big Basin, Rancho Del Oso, Butano, Castle Rock, Portola,Henry Cowell, Wilder Ranch, and San Gregorio.