Congratulations to Local Heroes for the 23rd Annual Director's Recognition Award
The annual awards program honors California State Park employees, volunteers, and park partners’ passion, tenacity, and innovative contributions.
Some of this year’s recipients are being recognized for working tirelessly during and after the Palisades Fire, others for delivering outdoor education and leadership programs for diverse communities statewide, and others for risking their own lives to save others. This year’s recipients are leading with integrity and are setting standards that continue to lift the department.
A couple of our local California State Park staff are recipients of these awards!
The Trailblazer Award recognizes those who have introduced new ideas or methods to accomplish the mission of State Parks or pioneered new ways to introduce the public to California’s outdoors. Scott Green of the Sierra District received this award.
State Archaeologist Scott Green out in the field!
State Archaeologist Scott Green introduced the idea of Poetry in the Parks in 2018 when he completed a project about Ken Rexroth's cabin at Mt. Tamalpais State Park. Scott's research led to an understanding that Parks provide inspiration to many poets throughout the state. Scott decided to celebrate this inspiration and planned and organized the first Poetry in The Parks event.
Since that time, Scott has organized several other Poetry in the Parks events that feature local poets and poet laureates. There have been more than eight Poetry in the Parks events, and they continue to grow and attract people from all over the State.
Scott provided a venue to celebrate the inspiration of State Parks and what that has meant through history. He then tied that history to a modern poetry movement and has used that event to inspire others to be inspired by nature and their time at State Parks. Poetry in Parks events expose people to not only poetry but also State Parks and reveal how the Parks themselves are an inspiration to thoughts, society, and growth.
Folks enjoying Poetry in the Parks.
The Special Act or Service Award recognizes employees who have performed an extraordinary act of heroism extending far above the normal call of duty or service and who performed at great risk to their own safety in an effort to save human life and/or property…our own Lake Sector First Responders - Sierra District team’s Logan Conner, Brooke Fellers, and Taylor Jackson received this prestige award.
We are proud to highlight the Director’s Recognition for Special Act Award recently received by Sierra District Lifeguard Logan Connors, Officer Brooke Fellers, and Sergeant Taylor Jackson.
Left to right: Officer Brooke Fellers, Sergeant Taylor Jackson, and Lifeguard Logan Connors
A solemn reminder of recreating safely and the importance of personal floatation devices.
On June 21, 2025, at D. L. Bliss State Park, these dedicated first responders acted without hesitation after receiving reports of a capsized boat with occupants stranded in the water during a severe storm. Despite strong winds and heavy waves, they immediately launched a rescue effort, fully aware of the personal risk involved.
Demonstrating extraordinary courage, they swam out in freezing waters to reach those in distress, placing the safety of others above their own. Their unwavering commitment to public safety exemplifies the highest standards of bravery and duty.
“QUOTE” by Michael Myers, Executive Director of the Sierra State Parks Foundation.
