California State Parks - round - Junior Ranger Patch

Description

This is for an apprx. 3.25"  round patch that reads:
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS -
JUNIOR RANGER
The patch features a saber-tooth cat.  California designated the saber-toothed cat as the official state fossil in 1973
Junior Rangers
is one of California State Parks’ most popular programs. It is offered in over 70 state parks.
The program has two primary goals:
* Provide an opportunity for children to participate in fun, hands-on activities designed especially for them;
* Develop in children an appreciation for the cultural and natural resources preserved in state parks, an awareness of the interrelationship among those resources, and a desire to help protect them.
Junior Ranger activities cover a variety of topics, including animals, plants, history, weather, recycling and park careers. They are tailored to the local environment and the resources of the park where the program is held. Each activity provides a worthwhile experience that promotes further thought and action by the child, rather than just instruction.  The statewide Junior Ranger program officially began in 1973, after several years of trial programs. Former Junior Rangers are now bringing their own children and grandchildren to the programs. Some Junior Rangers have gone on to become California State Parks employees.  The Junior Ranger program, in inspiring children to become resource stewards, is truly a promise to the future of California and the world.
Mission
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,