(c) Kent Porter / Press Democrat

On Saturday, January 21, the Kashaya Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria, in cooperation with Fort Ross State Historic Park and the Fort Ross Interpretive Association, gathered together for an Opening Blessing of the Fort Ross 2012 Bicentennial.

The Kashaya welcomed Consul General Vinokurov of the Russian Federation, State Senator Noreen Evans, State Parks Director Ruth Coleman, Sonoma County Board of Supevisors Efren Carillo, Renova Fort Ross Foundation's Olga Miller, and many other guests to share food and ceremony. The Kashaya spoke in their native language of their long history on the land they call Metini, offered gifts to the dignitaries, and shared their food with the guests in what was a remarkable moment in the long history of Fort Ross. 

Photo: Consul General Vinokurov sharing an umbrella with Kashaya Elder Violet Parrish-Chappell.

The Press Democrat story and photo album provide more details. 

How many bicentennials has California celebrated? Not so many!  

And ours has just been recognized by Sonoma County's board of supervisors.

Thank you, Supervisor Efren Carillo, for awarding a Gold Resolution to California State Parks and the Fort Ross Interpretive Association on the Bicentennial of Fort Ross State Historic Park. 

photo by Joel Thai

In honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr, holiday, the Fort Ross compound, visitor center, museum, and gift shop will be open on Monday, January 16, 2012 from 10am to 4pm.  The weather has been fantastic and it's a great time to get outdoors. Come visit Fort Ross!

The California Fish and Game Commission today took emergency action to close the abalone fishery along part of the northern California coast. Specifically, the Commission voted 3-0 to close the fishery in the entirety of Sonoma County. This action was taken in the wake of confirmed reports of dead red abalone and other invertebrates on beaches and inside coves along the coast in these areas.

For the full article, see this piece from Department of Fish and Game or this article on water quality. 

Due to Russian River district service reductions, Fort Ross will be closed Monday through Friday from September 6, 2011 at least through the winter months. We will be open on major holidays and weekends only until further notice, depending on funding.

Fort Ross will be open on Monday, January 16, 2012, for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Other service reductions:

• Reef Campground and Day Use is closed. 
• Woodside Campground will close in October 2011 through March of 2012. 
• Fisk Mill and Stump Beach Day Use areas are closed.
• The Gerstle Day Use parking lot will be open but restrooms will be closed; visitors can use the restrooms in the campground if needed.  

Service reductions are subject to change. Please call 707-865-2391 for further information.