News Release

Native Medicinal Plant Walk, Artist Discussion on "Living with Fire: Adapting to a Changing World," Spotlight Wildfire Awareness Month Public Programs at Whiskeytown

From left: Carr Fire charred wood sculpture, Aundi Taylor, and view of Clear Creek Gorge Overlook on Guardian Rock Trail.

News Release Date: May 13, 2024

Contact: Scott Einberger, 530-356-3958

Whiskeytown, CA - to encourage greater awareness of both the threats and benefits posed by wildland fire to inland Northern California, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is delighted to announce the following upcoming public programs in cooperation with National Wildfire Awareness Month...

• Native Medicinal Plant Walk: Guardian Rock Trail Saturday, May 18th, 7pm-8pm.  Join Artist-in-Residence Aundi Taylor and Wintu leader Art Garcia on an interactive stroll along the first quarter-mile section of Gaurdian Rock Trail. On this paved path from Horse Camp Primitive Campground to Clear Creek Gorge Overlook, learn how to rapid sketch, explore traditional uses of Whiskeytown's native plants, and learn how park plants are adapted to fire. Bring a sketchbook to fully participate in this wheelchair-accessible program.

• Artist Discussion - "Living with Fire: Adapting to a Changing World" Friday, May 24th, 8pm-10pm. As a culminating event for her Artist in Residency, Aundi Taylor will speak about her current project involving exploring the park and community’s recovery from the Carr Fire Megafire through sketches, photography and video within the burn scar. She’ll share insights from her interviews with the public and park personnel that feed into her ongoing experimental documentary video series focused on our environment and community’s resilience and ongoing recovery. Aundi will also talk about her sculpture series that integrates recycled utility wire and burned wood from various California super-fires and will share her immersive sound installation, Chrysalis, which is inspired by the smaller fire shelters that wildland firefighters carry with them in the hopes they never have to be used. Chrysalis will be on display and open to experience before and after the talk.
• Junior Firefighters Saturday, May 25, 11am-11:45am. Children and their families are invited inside the Oak Bottom Fire Station to learn all about Whiskeytown's fire management program with our park firefighters. Unravel a fire hose, hop inside the fire truck, dress up like a firefighter, and more during this interactive program. Upon completion, youth will receive a Whiskeytown Junior Firefighter patch.

Learn more about the challenges of fire management at Whiskeytown and human-caused climate change at Whiskeytown.

Explore Aundi's project titled "Living with Fire: Adapting to a Changing World."

See how to become a Whiskeytown Artist-in-Residence and see the portfolios of past artists.

For more information about Wildfire Awareness Month public programs at Whiskeytown, contact Scott Einberger, Supervisory Interpretive Park Ranger, at [e-mail]. You may also text or call him at 530-356-3958.
 

About Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Whiskeytown is one of almost 430 parks within the National Park System. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area was established in 1965 to protect Whiskeytown Lake and surrounding habitat and to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for the people of the United States. The park protects an immensity of over 1100 different native plant species and preserves historic sites associated with the Wintu People and California Gold Rush. Whiskeytown is visited by around one million people each year. Visitors primarily enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. For more information, visit the park website or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram.