State Parks Live Streams May 18 to 24

Local California State Parks in Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties are now offering livestream educational programs for K-12 children and general audiences during the COVID-19 event.

Wilder Ranch State Park

Facebook: @WilderRanchStatePark | Instagram: @ wilder_ranch_state_park

Baking Out of the Wilder Cookbook: Shortbread

Sunday, May 24 at 1:00 pm

Join us in the kitchen of the 1859 Gothic Revival farmhouse for a baking demonstration using a recipe pulled right out of the Wilder cookbook. This week we will be baking short bread using a 150 year old recipe! The recipe will be shared on the Wilder Ranch Facebook page prior to the livestream so you can bake along with us! You will need butter, sugar, egg, flour and salt. Baking at home is a great activity for kids, but please be sure they have adult supervision. This program is aimed at 2nd-3rd graders and their families, but everyone can enjoy. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live! www.facebook.com/WilderRanchStatePark

If you are unable to join us live, all programs are recorded for later viewing. Free event. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

A Long Dairying Tradition

Sunday, May 24 at 3:00 pm

Wilder Ranch State Park preserves one of the oldest dairying traditions in California. So old in fact that it predates the state itself! Join us for a livestream from the oldest standing structure at the park as we take a step back in time to learn about one man’s journey that brought dairying traditions all the way from Siberia to the Mexican territory of Alta California! This program is for an all-ages audience. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live! www.facebook.com/WilderRanchStatePark

If you are unable to join us live, all programs are recorded for later viewing. Free event. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

Natural Bridges State Beach

Facebook: @NaturalBridgesStateBeach | Instagram: @NaturalBridgesStateBeach

Read-A-Loud at the Beach

Tuesday, May 19 at 1:30 pm

Join Interpreter Martha as she reads Bonnie Barnacle Finds a Home by Evelyn Dabritz to learn about the life of a barnacle, including how they change as they grow before settling on the rocky shore. This program is aimed at 1st-3rd graders and their families, but everyone can enjoy. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live! www.facebook.com/NaturalBridgesStateBeach

If you are unable to join us live, all programs are recorded for later viewing. Free event. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

Who Lives Under the Ground?

Tuesday, May 19 at 3:00 pm

When you look there are many holes in the ground at Natural Bridges. How can you tell whose hole it is and who may live beneath our feet? Explore the visitor center to discover these interesting animals. This program is for an all-ages audience. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live! www.facebook.com/NaturalBridgesStateBeach

If you are unable to join us live, all programs are recorded for later viewing. Free event. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

Dr. Suess Read-A-Loud: Clam-I-Am! All About the Beach

Thursday, May 21 at 11:00 am

Join us for a live Read-A-Loud of the book Clam-I-Am: All About the Beach by Dr. Seuss, a Cat in the Hat Learning Library book. This program is aimed at 1st-3rd graders and their families, but everyone can enjoy. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live! www.facebook.com/NaturalBridgesStateBeach

If you are unable to join us live, all programs are recorded for later viewing. Heavy rain cancels. Free event. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

Bobcats

Thursday, May 21 at 1:30 pm

Join us as we learn about bobcats. Often mistaken for their larger cousin, the mountain lion, these kitties are smaller but just as fierce! This program is for an all-ages audience. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live! www.facebook.com/NaturalBridgesStateBeach

If you are unable to join us live, all programs are recorded for later viewing. Free event. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

Salt Marsh Safari

Friday, May 22 at 11:00 am

Join our park’s first Facebook Premiere Live out at the salt marsh for a hands-on exploration into the most diverse habitat at Natural Bridges. This program is aimed at 3rd-6th graders and their families, but everyone can enjoy. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live! www.facebook.com/NaturalBridgesStateBeach

If you are unable to join us live, all programs are recorded for later viewing. Free event. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park

Facebook: @SantaCruzMissionSHP

Daily Life at the Mission: Gardens

Monday, May 18 at 11:30 am

What did people eat during the Mission era? We’ll check out what’s growing in our demonstration garden and think about how foodways changed as a result of the missions. Have your 4th grade Mission Project questions ready for a Q&A session at the end of the program! This program is aimed at 4th graders and their families, but everyone can enjoy. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live! www.facebook.com/SantaCruzMissionSHP

Free event. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

Gardens of Time

Monday, May 18 at 2:00 pm

Stroll through history as we visit the various gardens within our courtyard and patio. We’ll look at what’s blooming and changing and get to know some plants up close. This program is for an all-ages audience. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live!
www.facebook.com/SantaCruzMissionSHP

Free event. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Facebook: @BigBasinRedwoodsSP | Instagram: @bigbasin_sp

Read-A-Loud in the Redwoods: Everybody Needs a Rock

Sunday, May 24 at 9:30 am

Join State Park Interpreter Susan as she reads Everybody Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor. Ten rules explain how to find your own perfect rock, on a walk or in your backyard! This program is aimed at K-2nd graders and their families, but everyone can enjoy. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live! www.facebook.com/BigBasinRedwoodsSP

If you are unable to join us live, all programs are recorded for later viewing. Heavy rain cancels. Free event. Event made possible by Mountain Parks Foundation and California State Parks.

Snakes Alive!

Sunday, May 24 at 2:00 pm

Meet a live snake! Learn about snakes and their amazing adaptations for survival. Ask your questions about snakes and we’ll answer live! This program is for an all-ages audience. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live! www.facebook.com/BigBasinRedwoodsSP

If you are unable to join us live, all programs are recorded for later viewing. Heavy rain cancels. Free event. Event made possible by Mountain Parks Foundation and California State Parks.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Facebook: @HenryCowellRSP | Instagram: @henrycowellredwoods.sp

Keystone Species

Saturday, May 23 at noon

Some animals and plants have a very special role; you can think about them as very similar to the last block you pull from the “Jenga” stack before it all falls down. These special organisms are called “keystone species.” Join us to learn all about keystone species and examples that can be found at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. This program is aimed at 2nd-6th graders and their families, but everyone can enjoy. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live! www.facebook.com/HenryCowellRSP

If you are unable to join us live, all programs are recorded for later viewing. Heavy rain cancels. Free event. Event made possible by Mountain Parks Foundation and California State Parks.

Coast Redwood Adaptations

Saturday, May 23 at 1:30 pm

Coast redwood trees are some of the oldest organisms on Earth. Join us to learn about the most striking adaptations that ensure their prosperity and longevity. This program is for an all-ages audience. Like our Facebook page to receive a notification when we go live! www.facebook.com/HenryCowellRSP

If you are unable to join us live, all programs are recorded for later viewing. Heavy rain cancels. Free event. Event made possible by Mountain Parks Foundation and California State Parks.

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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.