This article originally published at Why California chose a threatened reptile and a hardy shrub as its latest symbols. A ...

California has 42 official state symbols after Governor Newsom signed three bills to create new symbols in 2024, including ...

The big berry manzanita is a poignant reminder of resilience amid California’s extreme weather cycles. The native shrub is ...

Governor Newsom has declared the giant garter snake and bigberry manzanita as official state symbols, highlighting California ...

It’s not always easy getting the average person obsessed with snakes. They’re often an object of fear. But some enthusiasts want to change that — like Michael Starkey. He’s the founder of the ...