GEOLOGICAL GEMS OF CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS

The California’s State Park system provides special opportunities to see many aspects of California’s geologic legacy. In late 2015, we published a set of 55 four-page flyers (GeoGems) in support of State Parks interpretive natural history programs. The flyers are well illustrated and describe the geology as well as select geological processes and features exemplified at 55 state parks throughout California. The flyers are combined into a single document titled Geological Gems of California State Parks, however the formatting allows for each flyer to function as a stand-alone handout. A poster that provides the highlights of these parks and their geological features, as well as a discussion of California’s geomorphic provinces and associated bioregions is also included. The flyers and poster are available on-line. Hardcopies can be distributed and displayed at visitor centers.

The intent of the GeoGems is to share geological information with the general public at a higher level than is currently available while keeping the language accessible to California state park visitors including teachers, geology students, as well as park interpretive staff. Photographs and images were used extensively in each GeoGem to stimulate curiosity and draw readers into the geologic stories. Whether readers simply flip through the pictures or peruse the text they will become better educated on the diverse geology of California, and the geological wonders present in California’s State Parks. Each flyer describes a geologic feature or process, its importance, and where visitors should look for it in the park. The Geological Gems of California State Parks are published as California Geological Survey, Special Publication # 230.