This is for a 3" x 2.25" oval patch that reads: CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS - CALI QUAIL - 1985

Cali Quail and “POP Into A Park” burst on the scene in 1985 with the publication of a Cali Passport and a Cali-themed Junior Ranger Teachers Guide (by Jenny Verardo).  The Cali and POP program were a joint effort between California State Parks and POST Cereals and Pacific Bell. POST Cereals used Cali to promote a line of non-nutritious and sugary children’s cereals by offering free state park entry or a Cali stuffed doll for sending in box tops from selected cereals.  

There many other Cali themed projects including Kids Can Do It All, Reading Rewards, Rangers to the Rescue, and a creative writing contest for fourth to sixth grade school kids who could win Coleman products.  

In the parks, there were six Cali Quail mascot costumes.  These were designed and produced by Disney for a reported $5,000 each.  Reportedly, the costumes were very hard to get into and the wearer was nearly blind due to the small eye openings.  Governor George Deukmejian got into the Cali swing of things when he was pictured with Cali in the department News & Views newsletter. 

There does not seem to have been much in the way of Cali memorabilia items like pins, stickers, or patches, apart from the Cali plush toy from Post.  One unusual Cali related item was the large 6.5” gold-colored state park system badge that came with the Cali costume, the largest officially used badge in department history!    

The Cali and POP program faded from the department by the late 1980s.  It is not known when exactly the last Cali costume was official used. 

To provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

California Department of Parks and Recreation manages 280 park units, which contain the finest and most diverse collection of natural, cultural, and recreational resources to be found within California. These treasures are as diverse as California: From the last stands of primeval redwood forests to vast expanses of fragile desert; from the lofty Sierra Nevada to the broad sandy beaches of our southern coast; and from the opulence of Hearst Castle to the vestiges of colonial Russia.

California State Parks contains the largest and most diverse natural and cultural heritage holdings of any state agency in the nation. The State Park System includes State Parks, State Natural Reserves, State Historic Parks, State Historic Monuments, State beaches, State Recreation Areas, State Vehicular Recreation Areas, State Seashores and State Marine Parks. Within the system are Natural and Cultural Preserves, lakes and reservoirs, coastal beaches, historic homes, Spanish era adobe buildings, lighthouses, ghost towns, museums, visitor centers, conference centers, and off-highway vehicle recreation areas.  Together, State Park System lands protect and preserve an unparalleled collection of culturally and environmentally sensitive structures and habitats, threatened plant and animal species, ancient Native American sites, historic structures and artifacts... the best of California's natural and cultural history.

With over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites and 4,500 miles of trails, the State Park System provides wonderful recreational, educational, and inspirational opportunities for over 67 million visitors a year.

 Keywords:  park ranger, conservation law enforcement officer, warden, national parks, local and regional park officer, badge, flash, pin, superintendent, California Beaches & parks, CA state park system, division of parks, peace officer, police, Yosemite, division department of natural resources,