BLM and Partners Celebrate America's 250th at the King Range National Conservation Area

On July 4, against the stunning backdrop of northern California’s rugged coastline, the Bureau of Land Management and local partners celebrated America 250 and Independence Day at Mal Coombs Park in the King Range National Conservation Area. 

The event, hosted by the Shelter Cove Arts and Recreation Foundation and Cove Connect, brought the community together for a parade, live music, games, fresh local seafood, artisan vendors, and family-friendly activities. Throughout the event, BLM staff engaged visitors at a booth, educating them about the King Range NCA, the nation’s shared heritage, and the importance of public lands with a 3-D map, public lands trivia, and interactive games.

In the lead-up to the holiday weekend, the BLM welcomed an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps team from Denver, Colorado, who spent three weeks supporting projects in the King Range NCA including invasive plant removal, facility improvements, and trail restoration and maintenance. The crew joined local volunteers to decorate Shelter Cove and nearby BLM day-use areas with roughly 800 American flags, creating a patriotic display along the parade route.

Artist Laci Dane from Humboldt County, who served as the King Range NCA's June Artist-in-Residence, added a splash of color to the celebration. Known for her playful, imaginative style, Dane creates imagery inspired by the natural world. Her residency concluded with the unveiling of new murals in the BLM restrooms at Mal Coombs Park, the only public restrooms in the community, transforming them into vibrant works of art celebrating the landscapes, wildlife, recreation opportunities, and community of California's iconic Lost Coast. 

"I wanted to represent the spirit of this rare place in a way that felt joyful and welcoming," reflected Dane. The murals celebrate the landscape, wildlife, and recreation that make the King Range NCA and Lost Coast special. 

From colorful murals to community-driven celebrations, the day highlighted how partnerships, volunteers, artists, and the BLM help enrich the King Range NCA. The event not only honored America’s 250^th anniversary but also inspired stewardship and community engagement for years to come.