A diorama of Pomo youth with fish catch basket in his village by the lake. Photo courtesy of Leona M. Butts.

CLEAR LAKE STATE PARK – In keeping with its mission, Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association (CLSPIA), will staff the Clear Lake State Park Visitor Center each weekend Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. To 4 p.m. through Oct. 4.

The museum dioramas feature beautiful backgrounds of our woodlands and wetlands and display mounts of our native animals. Of special interest is a diorama of a Native American village on the shore of Clear Lake as it might have appeared some 10,000 years ago. The gift shop always has specially priced items and a great selection of nature related items.

On Sunday, Sept. 14, as summer moves into fall, meet Clear Lake State Park docent Glenn Smith at 8:30 a.m. at the visitor center ramp for a walk. Nature has marvelous ways of revealing itself at this time of year.

CLSPIA was organized in 1983, by a small group of local residents interested in Clear Lake State Park, to assist the Department of Parks and Recreation in providing public education about the valuable and important natural and cultural resources located in Clear Lake State Park and the surrounding area; promote the importance of a strong environmental ethic; raise funds to promote these goals.

CLSPIA recently rescued the Junior Ranger program by funding the last few weeks of the program when state funds were pulled. The gift shop provides fun and educational items for sale. CLSPIA was a part of the Lake County fight to keep all state parks open.

Another milestone for CLSPIA was the contract signing on Aug. 23 with the California Conservation Corp to build an outdoor education pavilion. CLSPIA, led by President Madelene Lyon, has been raising funds to build this unique structure for more than three years. Although some additional funding is needed, this project is coming together through the cooperation of California State Parks, CLSPIA and the local community.

Groundbreaking will take place on Oct. 4 at the “Wild Affair In Your Park” celebration. For reservations for A Wild Affair in Your Park please call 279-4395.

This groundbreaking and fundraising event will showcase local wines, cuisine, musical talent and the outdoor adventures that the future pavilion will provide.

Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.

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