California State Parks’ Northern Buttes District announced a series of free educational and recreational programs at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, aimed at children and adults.
These initiatives, including “Art in the Park,” “Junior Rangers,” and “Walk into Wellness,” are designed to provide engaging outdoor activities for local families throughout the summer and into the fall. Additionally, the district will host its first-ever “Biodiversity Day” in September.
Art in the Park” invited children aged 7 to 12 to participate in creative sessions, with the final two summer events held on Wednesday and August 14. The program was part of a broader effort by California State Parks to foster outdoor recreation opportunities for young people, encouraging them to explore nature through artistic expression.
The “Junior Rangers” program, also aimed at children 7 to 12 years old, provided a hands-on experience in local history and gold panning. The remaining sessions, held on Saturday and August 10 at Bidwell Canyon Campground, allowed children to learn about the historical significance of the Bidwell Bar gold mining town. Participants received a gold-panning certificate and a Junior Ranger Adventure Guide booklet, offering further self-directed activities at home.
Looking ahead to the fall, the Northern Buttes District will host its inaugural “Biodiversity Day” on September 14 at the Thermalito North Forebay. This family-friendly event, running from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., will encourage attendees to document the plants, insects, and animals of the area using the iNaturalist app. Activities will also include a story walk for younger children and a driftwood art project.
Amanda Sellers, a State Parks interpreter, emphasized the importance of these programs in fulfilling the department’s mission to provide high-quality outdoor recreation.
“Part of our mission at California State Parks is to create opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation and these programs meet that need. California State Parks puts out number different programs like Art in the Park for local districts to pick up pick up and we’re excited to be part of statewide initiative,” Amanda Sellers, State Parks interpreter, said, as reported by Enterprise-Record.
