Spring tours and volunteers needed

California State Parks

 

April 30, 2022



Archaeological Site Stewardship Training:

Volunteers needed for Tomo-Kahni

The California Archaeological Site Stewardship Program (CASSP) is holding a 2-day training beginning Saturday April 30 to certify volunteer Site Stewards. Stewards monitor assigned cultural sites on participating public lands state-wide, and report on changes in their conditions to the jurisdiction’s archaeologist.

Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park is seeking additional Site Stewards to monitor the protected ancestral village of the Kawaiisu in the Tehachapi Mountains, for vandalism, trespassing, maintenance issues and other changes. The site may only be visited by the public on guided tours in the spring and fall. CASSP training attendees that would like to monitor Tomo-Kahni will then be registered as State Park volunteers, and may also assist with leading tours at the park and other duties if interested.

The first training day is a free ZOOM webinar workshop on April 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Although there is no cost, you must register at http://www.cassp.org. Webinar topics include local archaeology, safety, cultural resource awareness, Native American perspectives, preservation laws, and site documentation procedures.

The second day of the workshop is an in-person field training for those that completed the webinar. It will be scheduled during the following weeks at Los Padres National Forest and at Cleveland National Forest. Tomo-Kahni may be added as an additional location. The second day requires a separate registration, a signed site location confidentiality agreement, and a $25 fee.

CASSP volunteers can expect to make about one site visit (4 to 8 hours) per month. The agency archaeologist consults with the volunteer regarding the site assignment and to set frequency of visits, and answers questions about cultural resources and agency procedures and requirements.

This workshop is funded by the generosity of donors to Partners for Archaeological Site Stewardship, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. In-kind support is provided by Los Padres National Forest and the Cleveland National Forest. For more information or to register, visit http://www.cassp.org or contact Beth Padon at bpadon@sitestewardship.org.

When: Day 1: April 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. / Day 2: TBD

Where: Day 1: Online Zoom Webinar / Day 2: Los Padres National Forest or Cleveland National Forest (Tomo-Kahni SHP TBD)

Cost: Day 1: Free / Day 2: $25

Registration: email Beth Padon bpadon@sitestewardship.org

Red Rock Canyon State Park Interpretive Programs

Red Rock Canyon State Park’s visitor center is open Wednesdays-Mondays (closed Tuesdays), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The visitor center features colorful displays and dioramas illustrating Red Rock’s unique geology, fossils, Kawaiisu Indian culture, early settler history, flora and fauna, and Hollywood connection. The gift shop offers books, toys and souvenirs. Red Rock Canyon State Park Visitor Center and programs: 37749 Abbott Drive, Cantil (22 miles north of Mojave on Hwy 14, near California City).

Please note: Programs are subject to cancellation without notice. Check http://www.Facebook.com/RedRockCanyonCA for latest updates.

Sat., May 7: Docent led nature walk titled “A Walk Through Time”. You will gain information about weather changes, extinct and present wildlife, Native American uses of plants, and geological make up of Red Rock Canyon. Meet at the Desert View Trailhead near campsite 50 at 9 a.m.

Sat., May 14: Docent led nature walk of the “Ricardo Nature Trail.” Learn about various plants and their flowers along with the small animals and how they adapted to the harsh desert environment. Meet at the Ricardo Trailhead across from the visitor center at 9 a.m.

Sat., May 21: Docent led nature walk of the “Ricardo Nature Trail.” Learn about various plants and their flowers along with the small animals and how they adapted to the harsh desert environment. Meet at the Ricardo Trailhead across from the visitor center at 9 a.m.

Sat., May 28: Docent led nature walk titled “A Walk Through Time”. You will gain information about weather changes, extinct and present wildlife, Native American uses of plants, and geological make up of Red Rock Canyon. Meet at the Desert View Trailhead near campsite 50 at 9 a.m.

Sat., May 28: The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club (AVAC) will conduct an Astronomy Program in the amphitheater located next to the visitor center beginning at 7:45 p.m. Following the presentation, the AVAC and the Ridgecrest Astronomy Club will begin a “Star Party” for viewing planets, constellations, and other celestial objects in the night sky through some amazing telescopes. Star Party will be held at campsites 1 & 2.

Spring Tours at Tehachapi Native American Village Site

California State Parks is currently taking reservations for the spring tour season at Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park in Tehachapi. Visitation is only permitted on a guided tour, which involves a moderately strenuous 3-hour hike.

Although no structures remain on this Kawaiisu (Nüwa) Native American village site, the area’s rich history comes alive through the trained volunteer tour guides and the clues that the inhabitants left behind. Tomo Kahni means “winter home” in Kawaiisu, and rock rings mark the locations of many of the kahni, or homes, that were built of juniper boughs. Hundreds of mortar holes in the park tell of a very active past. The tour also includes Medicine Cave, Nettle Springs and a cave with pictographs- a sacred place of the Kawaiisu.

Spring tours will be offered Saturdays April 23 through June 11. Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. with an orientation at the Tehachapi Museum in Tehachapi and last approximately 4 hours, including travel time to and from the park (transportation is not provided).

Please note: This tour is not safe for those with heart conditions, breathing problems or walking limitations. Weather at the high-elevation park is variable, so layered clothing is recommended. Ample drinking water, sun protection, and sturdy walking shoes are also necessary.

Tour fee is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-16 (age 5 and under are free, but not recommended on tours). Tours are limited to 12 people and fill up fast so reservations are highly recommended for an additional fee of $10 per party. To make a reservation or for more information, call (661) 946-6092 or email Mojave.Sector@parks.ca.gov.

Where: Meet at Tehachapi Museum, 310 S. Green St., Tehachapi.

When: Saturdays April 23 through June 11, 8:30 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m.

Cost: Adults: $5, Children age 6-16 $3, Children under 5 free. Reservations: $10 per party.

 
 

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