Stay warm this winter with us!





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*State Parks E-News*

*February, 2023*






Sunset behind a lighthouse
*New Washington State Parks brand:
**talking about an evolution*

As we unveil our new brand with its rich colors, designs and messaging, we bring you one more behind-the-scenes peek at our creative process:

Last year, we spent months listening to our communities and reviewing research on our park users. At the end of that process, we took a step back and surveyed the landscape. (See what we did there?)

As we examined our former logo and visual identity, we realized it didn't represent the growth our agency has experienced, so we decided it was time for a change.

Multiple rounds and hours of discussion led us to an engaging new logo that will be flexible enough to grow with State Parks and stay relevant for decades to come.

Read about our rebranding process in our new blog post [ [link removed] ].

Kingfisher in flight
Warm up your winter with state park events

Can you believe it?s already February? Whether 2023 is flying ? or crawling by for you, you can spice up your season by attending an event or program with us! Several Washington state parks are sailing through winter with fun and learning for you:?

*"Deception Pass State Park: "*

*Bird Walks, *10 a.m. - noon, Sat. Feb 18 ? Cornet Bay;?Sat. March 4 ? Bowman Bay

*March Mammal Madness Ranger Hour,?*4 ? 5 p.m., Fri. March 3 - Oak Harbor Library

*Forest Walks,?*1 ? 2:30 p.m., Sat. Feb 18 and 25 - Cornet Bay

*"Cama Beach/Camano Island State Park:"*

*The Great Northwest Glass Quest,?*8 a.m. ? 6 p.m., Fri. Feb 17 ? Sun. Feb 26 ? Cama Center

*Sound Water Stewards interpretive program,?*Noon ? 2 p.m.,?Sat. Feb?18 ? Cama Center

*"Mount St. Helens Visitor Center:"*

*Bird Walk on the Boardwalk and warm refreshments
*Sun. Feb 19, 8 ? 9 a.m. ? Mount St. Helens Visitor [email protected]

*"Statewide:"*

*Great Backyard Bird Count,?*Fri. Feb 17 ? Mon. Feb 20, Head to your favorite Washington state park [ [link removed] ], identify the birds you see and hear and submit your data [ [link removed] ]!

Be sure to check our Calendar of Events [ [link removed] ] for updates throughout the month!

Photo by Mike Hoefgen, Lake Sammamish State Park

Yurt paradise point
*Find last-minute campsites, yurts and cabins!*

Valentine?s, Galentine?s and Singles? Appreciation Day are done for the year, but there?s still more of February to enjoy?

The following parks have cabins and yurts available the weekend of Feb. 24-26, and even more have openings midweek through this month:


* Belfair
* Dash Point
* Paradise Point
* Battle Ground Lake (One left; get it while it's hot!)
* Steamboat Rock (Only one left; hop on it now!)
* Lincoln Rock
* Riverside Bowl & Pitcher

*Book your last minute getaway!* [ [link removed] ]






*Jump start your spring and summer:*






park aide rides tractor lawnmower
*Park aide recruitment?**revs up*

Whether it?s your first job out of school, a military-to-civilian career transition, a mid-life reinvention, or a fabulous encore, we want you as a park aide!

Choose from parks in the Channeled scablands and high deserts of Central Washington, on the Columbia River, Puget Sound - and more!

In particular, we?re looking for park aides to work in these gorgeous regions:


* *Eastern Columbia Gorge* ? Maryhill, Columbia Hills
* *Blue Mountains* ? Sacajawea, Camp Wooten, Fields Spring, Lyons Ferry, Steptoe Butte
* *Central Lakes* ? Alta Lake, Bridgeport, 25-Mile, Lake Chelan
* *Upper Cowlitz* ? Seaquest, Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, Lewis & Clark, Ike Kinswa
* *Okanogan Highlands* ? Pearrygin Lake, Curlew Lake, Conconully

Read about a former park aide?s career success [ [link removed] ]?with State Parks in our blog.

*Apply today!* [ [link removed] ]



Moorage and docks
*It?s never too early to plan for boating season:?*

*Buy moorage permits now!*

Ahoy boaters!?Before you set out on your waterways adventure, make sure to buy a Moorage Permit [ [link removed] ]?so you can stay overnight at our docks, buoys, floats and linear moorage sites.

Washington State Parks has the largest state-managed mooring system in the nation, with more than 40 marine parks and?8,500+ feet of public moorage space.?Our marine parks show the best of Puget Sound and offer plenty of activities:?


* Clamming?
* Crabbing?
* Fishing?
* Hiking scenic island paths?
* Watching forest critters?
* Star gazing??
* And more?

Visit our website [ [link removed] ] to purchase your Moorage Permit. Happy exploring!??






Steptoe Butte

Thanks, "Solo Sophie" for recognizing the gems that are Steptoe Butte and Larrabee State Park: Hidden Gems and Secret Spots in Washington State You'll Love (solosophie.com) [ [link removed] ]

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Parks in the news:

Curious about cross-state travel by bike, horse or foot? The Beverly Bridge across the Columbia River [ [link removed] ] links the east and west sides of the Palouse to Cascades Trail [ [link removed] ], and "Daily Journal of Commerce" gave it the gold medal for economic and sustainable design.

"Travel Lens" has named Deception Pass the fifth most beautiful state park in the nation ? and the fourth most Instagrammed! Deception Pass ranked 5th most beautiful state park in U.S. | The Seattle Times [ [link removed] ]

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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 1111 Israel Road S.W. ? Tumwater ? WA 98501-6512 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
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