SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Thousands of Californians took part in more than 600 “Spring into Action” Clean California Community Days events throughout the state during an 11-day period to clean up roadways, local streets and public spaces.

The series of events from March 17-27 were part of the Clean California initiative, Governor Gavin Newsom’s $1.2 billion, multiyear cleanup effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs and engage communities to transform public spaces.

“Clean California is empowering communities and restoring pride in our shared spaces up and down the state, and I thank the thousands of Californians who banded together for the Community Days events to beautify and transform their neighborhoods,” said Governor Newsom. “By making a difference at the local level, we are helping create a cleaner, more beautiful California for all.”

Clean California Community Days included:

Hundreds of local events including: 58 tree planting/gardening events with 363 trees planted; 265 community trash collection events; 202 public community cleanups; 39 educational and entertainment events; and six temporary public art installations;

1.64 million pounds of trash collected during the 11-day period – five times the weight of the Statue of Liberty;

More than 10,500 volunteers participated in community beautification efforts.

“The overwhelming response and participation from Californians throughout the state to transform community spaces demonstrates the power of Clean California,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “With the support of Governor Newsom and the commitment of our communities, we are reducing litter and making lasting positive change.”

“Californians are looking for ways to engage in their communities to green and beautify neighborhoods, and Clean California is a powerful way for them to take action,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. 

Clean California will continue to engage communities and raise awareness on the negative impact litter has on natural resources, waterways, public safety and public health, driving a cultural shift of shared responsibility and instilling community pride for the cleanliness of our roadways and public spaces. The recently launched “Zero Litter is the Goal” campaign focuses on volunteerism, community activation and grassroots partnerships to maintain the positive momentum of Clean California Community Days.

To encourage local-level engagement, Caltrans is also developing a program in which communities throughout the state can earn a special Clean California designation by meeting criteria centered around preventing and cleaning up litter, promoting recycling, and greening or beautifying neighborhoods.

To support communities with tools and resources, Caltrans will be providing downloadable public education materials on topics such as litter prevention, volunteer recruitment, and K-12 materials. Additionally, members of the community are encouraged to continue to organize their own cleanup events and can get started by visiting CleanCA.com.

Since launching Clean California in July 2021, Caltrans and local partners have removed 1.45 million cubic yards of litter from state highways – the equivalent of more than 24,400 tons or enough trash to fill the Rose Bowl over 3½ times. Caltrans has hired more than 850 team members as part of Clean California. Clean California grants have funded 231 projects to revitalize and beautify underserved communities, some of which are already complete and now sources of community pride. In February, Governor Newsom announced a new round of $100 million in grants for local beautification projects.

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - California State Parks invites individuals to “Live the Parks Life” as rangers or lifeguards in the nation’s largest state park system. Starting March 24 and through June 10, 2023, individuals can apply for the State Park Peace Officer Cadet exams. Cadet academy graduates can serve the state as rangers and lifeguards to safeguard both visitors and the historical, cultural and natural resources found in 280 state park units. Offices are located near beaches or waterways, or in deserts, parks, museums, historic parks and state vehicular recreation areas.

“Serving as a ranger or lifeguard in California’s State Park System is a unique opportunity to make an everlasting impact on the state’s natural landscapes and the millions of people who visit them,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “I know firsthand how rewarding it is to provide natural and cultural resource protection and ensure public safety.”

The minimum age to be a peace officer is 21 years old. Candidates are required to have a valid California driver’s license and have 60 units of college credits, with 21 units being general education.

The entire selection process for becoming a ranger or lifeguard takes approximately 15 months. The first step in the selection/examination process is to mail, email or hand deliver an application during the open application period. The application is used to determine if the candidate meets the minimum qualifications for admission into the examination, which consists of the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery written exam. This exam is used to admit the candidate into the next phases of the selection process, which include the physical agility test, background investigation, oral interview, and medical and psychological evaluations. Successful applicants will be sent a notification to attend the eight-month-long POST-certified law enforcement academy.

The academy instruction prepares cadets physically, mentally and emotionally to enter the workforce as a state park peace officer ranger or lifeguard. Rangers and lifeguards are sworn officers equipped with a firearm and badge. Cadets will learn how to conduct investigations, make physical arrests, use firearms and perform emergency responses. Training also includes how to actively protect park resources, assist visitors and run interpretive programs.

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the State Park Peace Officer Cadet Academy: 

Do I have to carry a firearm to serve as a ranger or lifeguard?
Yes. Cadet training includes how to conduct investigations, make physical arrests, use firearms and perform emergency responses. 

What is the age minimum and age maximum to apply? 
Candidates must be at least 21 years of age to become a peace officer. State Park Peace Officer's mandatory retirement age is 65 years, but there is no maximum application age. 

I have not completed two years of college yet. Can I still apply while I am still taking classes? 
Candidates may be enrolled in college at the time of application but must have at least 21 units of general education credits satisfying general education curriculum standards with courses (which may include courses in natural science, social science, mathematics, language and humanities). By the time of appointment, a candidate must have completed 60 semester units of study at a state-accredited college or university. A degree in park administration, natural sciences, social sciences, law enforcement or a related field is desirable.  

Where is the Cadet Academy located? 
Most cadets attend training at Butte College Law Enforcement Academy (Butte County). However, the department may utilize several academy sites, including Mott Training Center at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, South Bay Regional Public Safety Academy at Fort Ord in Monterey, and the Ben Clark Law Enforcement Training facility in Riverside. It is at the department's discretion to determine an academy location for each class. 

Do I get paid while at the academy? 
Yes. Cadets earn a salary; currently, the monthly salary range is $3,930 to $5,300. Most cadets start at the low end of the range unless they are a current state employee with a salary within the range. 

To hire a workforce reflective of California’s diverse population, California State Parks is committed to ensuring equal access and connecting all job seekers to opportunities through fair hiring and employment practices. For more information on the cadet exams, minimum qualifications, additional frequently asked questions and a timeline of the recruitment cycle, please visit LiveTheParksLife.com.  

Please send questions regarding other employment opportunities at California State Parks to the Workforce Planning and Recruitment Office at recruiting@parks.ca.gov. 

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - All Carmichael’s elected legislators stood up to cheer retired Assemblyman Key Cooley, named Person of the Year at Carmichael Chamber of Commerce Community Awards last week.

Held at North Ridge Country Club, the gala sold out at 200 attendees.

Accepting his award, Cooley congratulated the Chamber for its diamond jubilee. “You’ve been invested in the community and focused on its needs for 75 years,” said the honoree. “If we can’t put shoulders to the wheel to achieve our hopes for the future, then we’re in trouble.

“All of life depends on people committed to the future and to neighbors. In this era, to be that kind of person – that takes gumption. All my fellow honorees have shown persistence in their goals and it’s a pleasure for me – and for my wife Sydney – to be among them.”

Cooley compared fellow award recipients’ efforts to a lesson learned in his Boy Scout career. “They taught us that if you want to put out a fire, you separate all its embers. But if you want to build it up, you push its embers back together. It’s a good metaphor for life. Our efforts to do good, to bring people together and spur each other along build stronger, brighter communities.”

Other 2023 Chamber of Commerce honorees were:

Businessman of the Year - entrepreneur Ernesto Delgado (owner of The Milagro Centre’s Mesa Mercado restaurant).

Businesswoman of the Year - Bonnie Prophet (who runs one of Carmichael’s longest-enduring enterprises: Serritella’s restaurant).

Educator of the Year - Holly Olson (representing the third generation of her family to lead Carmichael’s El Rancho Preschool and Elementary).

Community Advocate of the Year – Linda Martin (who served the San Juan School District for most of her teaching career and now volunteers for many non-profits).

Chamber Ambassador of the Year – Betty Bowles (a Chamber volunteer for 14 years).

Nonprofit of the Year – American River Parkway Foundation.

Learn about the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce at www.carmchamber.com

 

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Storms that swelled waterways in recent weeks have challenged river and flood plain wildlife.

Wind has dislodged nests and uprooted trees. In the February-March nesting season, many baby birds have perished. Flood plain inhabitants that retreat to higher ground have ended up competing for reduced food or in unsafe situations.

Even fish seem to have died from too much water. Trail users last week reported scores of dead carp and bass in Lake Natoma. Fish and Wildlife Department sources ascribed the event to water oxygen depletion that can occur when drought is followed by sustained rain. (Coursing down creeks and bluffs, water flow carries huge amounts of organic matter; bacteria burn oxygen to feast on the fermenting soup in ponds and streams; the banquet consumes oxygen that fish need to survive).

Riverbank dwellers have been washed from homes. California Wildlife Encounters capture specialist Ben Nuckolls was recently called to the Folsom Post office to rescue an adult beaver.

The river-dweller’s misadventure followed February floods. “He must have negotiated several Folsom streets and intersections to arrive at the Post Office,” considered Nuckolls. “Post Office workers found him in a fenced parking lot. When we arrived, he was behind bushes and scared.”

Nuckolls and assistant Christina Sullivan netted the 40-pound rodent. After examination for injury, it was released in a nearby waterway. More recently, Fair Oaks resident Nuckolls and assistant Leslie Ackerman rescued another beaver from Sailor Bar Fair Oaks.

Three baby hawks whose nest fell with an uprooted pine did not survive. “The tree branches were dense,” says Nuckolls. “We did our best to get to the nest but the babies did not make it. In the last few weeks, I have been involved with 20 weather-related rescues. When rescues fail, I carry a heavy burden.”

“We always see more wildlife displacement after storms,” notes Effie Yeaw Nature Center Director Kent Anderson. “Usually, animals just wait it out and get back to their routines after storms. This year, the weather’s been chaotic, with back-to-back storms. Animals tied to the waterways have suffered more.”

Wild Animals in distress should be reported to: Gold Country Wildlife Rescue (530) 885 0862; or the Wildlife Care Association (916) 965 9453; Department of Fish and Wildlife (916) 358 2900.