The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and its supporting departments, invite you to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Through virtual and in-person events, CNRA departments, commissions and conservancies will be honoring AAPI leaders in the environmental field, who work to protect the environment for current and future generations and encourage others to become environmental stewards.
This year’s theme, AAPI JOY!, honors joy as a powerful expression of resilience. It reminds us that AAPI identities are shaped not only by perseverance and hard work, but also by moments of laughter, triumph and deep cultural pride. AAPI JOY! is a call to celebrate our communities not just for surviving, but for continuing to thrive.
Title: Honoring AAPI Heritage Month at Angel Island State Park
Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 am
Location: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfiWAqKf9js
Description: From 1910 to 1940, thousands of Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrants passed through the Angel Island Immigration Station, leaving behind stories of hardship, resilience and hope. Join Angel Island State Park and the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation live from the historic detention barracks as we explore this powerful chapter of American history. Engage with us in real time and submit your questions through our Q&A feature and our guide may answer them!
Title: Game On! Lunchtime Celebration of AAPI JOY!
Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Time: 11:30 am-1:00 pm
Location: California Natural Resources Building, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA
Description: To kickoff our celebration of joy, the AAPI Heritage Month Planning Committee is hosting a lunchtime mixer at the CNRA building cafeteria. We’re collaborating with Buddha Bowls and Rolls to offer a special menu item for the day, and the committee will provide games. Order online to skip the line at buddhabowlsandrolls.com or bring your lunch and join us for good food, games, and conversation. We will have Mahjong, playing cards, chess and more! Feel free to bring your favorite game – looking forward to seeing you!
Registration: None
Title: The Joy of Dance: Online Hula Class (Staff Only)
Date: May 9, 2025
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Description: Join us for a beginner hula class with Kumu Hula Marc Ha’aheo Asuncion of Ka Pā Hula Kalama O Haʻaheo. In this one-hour class you’ll be introduced to basic hula moves and learn a little Hawaiian along the way! This class is a wonderful way to learn more about Hawaiian culture and get some exercise while you’re at it! No experience required, all ages, genders and abilities welcome!
This is a free event for state staff. We are limiting the total number of attendees in the class to 30 people.
Registration: https://forms.office.com/g/Fd3nHVWYxr
Title: Hands on History at the U.S. Immigration Station, Angel Island
Date: Saturday, May 10th
Time: 11:00am-2:30pm
Location: Angel Island State Park
Description: Take a trip out to the island and make some art while learning about the history of Angel Island! We’ll be doing arts and crafts related to the history of the island. We’ll be set up in the Angel Island Immigration Museum, the historic hospital on site. There’s no need to pay for admission or sign up; this event is free and open to the public. For more information: https://www.aiisf.org/events/hands-on-history
Title: AAPI Joy in Public Service: AAPI Professionals and Their Paths to CNRA
Date: Tuesday, May 20th
Time: Noon to 1 pm
Location: Virtual
Description: Join us for an inspiring panel discussion featuring AAPI state employees from across CNRA departments. While many AAPI cultures have deep-rooted connections to nature, these communities remain underrepresented in many parts of the environmental sector, often due to cultural expectations and generational differences. This conversation will explore the personal journeys of our panelists: what drew them to public service, the challenges they've faced and the wisdom they've gained along the way. Come hear their stories and celebrate the rich diversity shaping California’s natural resources work.
Registration/Microsoft Teams: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/02ea2ae2-132d-4222-9bb8-d3d6bc160685@e9a5da72-0596-4f6c-9711-dfcc228c94d4
Title: AAPI Joy in Nature - Celebrating Leaders in Conservation and Sustainability
Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Description: Join us for a Secretary Speaker Series uplifting the voices of AAPI leaders who are shaping California’s conservation and sustainability landscape. This conversation will explore how careers in nature and conservation offer meaningful connection—to land, to culture, and to community. Hear from AAPI professionals whose work in environmental stewardship, climate action, and sustainability is grounded in joy and purpose.
Register to join: https://ca-water-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QjzyjN9MSseudqnE120iNw#/registration
Title: China Camp Tour and Volunteer Event
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Time: 9am-1pm
Location: 101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA 94901
Description: Join us outside to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with a family-friendly day of service, learning and fun at China Camp State Park. We'll begin with volunteer work to support invasive species removal and fire resilience, followed by a guided tour of the China Camp Museum and historic village, and lastly a casual picnic near China Camp beach. No experience necessary and come for as long as you’d can. Snacks will be provided but please feel free to bring your own lunch. We’d love to see you at this beautiful and historic state park to close out AAPI month and give back to nature.
Registration/Zoom: https://forms.gle/9Y3D3ETHFRgUoRCC8
Asian American & Pacific Islander Month
About AAPI Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich history, vibrant cultures and invaluable contributions of AAPI communities to our nation’s past, present and future. The logo’s colors and floral elements reflect the diversity within AAPI cultures. The lotus flower, revered in Hinduism and Buddhism, symbolizes purity, enlightenment and resilience, and is commonly found in India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Cherry blossoms, celebrated across Asia, particularly in Japan, represent the fleeting beauty of life and are a cherished cultural symbol. Plumerias, considered sacred in parts of Southeast Asia, symbolize new beginnings and are often used to make leis throughout the Pacific Islands, including Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Hawai‘i, New Zealand, Tonga and the Cook Islands. Together, these symbols honor the depth and diversity of the AAPI experience.
