New Melones Lake Holds Second Annual Heritage Day

Written by: Patricia Sanders & Sandra Patania

Visitors at one of the Heritage Day booths.Bureau of Reclamation staff members at New Melones Lake held their second annual Heritage Day on Saturday, April 30, 2016. This special event celebrated the Native American Me-Wuk peoples of Tuolumne and Calaveras counties and their history, culture and traditions. Admission and parking were free for the 80+ participants.

The festivities began at 9:30 a.m. with a traditional blessing from Tribal Elder Robert Cox. Demonstrations of flint knapping and education about Me-Wuk culture continued throughout the day. A special presentation of traditional native dancing by the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuks began at 11 a.m.

Representatives of the Tuolumne County Master Gardeners were onsite to answer questions and provide free native seeds and plants propagated in the New Melones Green House. The Master Gardeners also offered information on invasive species and their eradication.

New Melones Lake Natural Resource Specialist Sandra Patania and Park Ranger Pat Sanders staffed a Quagga and Zebra Mussel Prevention Booth, providing information about protecting cultural and natural resources. Also available was information on the Every Kid in a Park initiative as well as materials on water safety, boating, camping, and trail recreational opportunities at New Melones Lake.

Park Ranger Hilary Maxworthy managed the New Melones Visitor Center which was open for participants to enjoy the displays and exhibits. A free lunch, which included all-you-can-eat hamburgers and hot dogs, was offered to all. Water was donated by the Tuolumne Me-Wuk Tribe, and chips and charcoal were donated by Sandra and Joe Patania.

The New Melones Lake employees strive to preserve historical heritage landscapes for future generations to discover. The staff expects that next year’s Heritage Day event will be even more successful in educating the public on environmental, cultural and wildlife habitat protection.