Curious about the highlights at San Juan Island National Historical Park in 2012, or what’s in store for the year ahead? Well, here’s your chance.

National Parks Service staff and volunteers will shine a spotlight on operations and accomplishments of 2012, and preview plans for the year ahead, at a reception and briefing at the San Juan Island Historical Museum, Tuesday, Jan. 8. The event will take place in the musuem’s Etta Egeland Resource Center, 405 Price Street, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The preview of “big ticket items” for 2013 include continued work on an environmental impact statement for prairie restoration, finalization of design specifications for the 2014 renovation of the historic Crook house, and continued coordination with San Juan County and the Federal Highways Administration on the realignment and design of Cattle Point Road.

“We are very upbeat about last year’s accomplishments,” Parks Superintendent Lee Taylor said. “As we look at the docket for 2013 we’re beginning to realize it could be one of the key years in the history of the park. We want the community to be involved from the outset, and this reception is a way to make that happen.”

In addition to its “big ticket” plans, the park will also conduct its usual assortment of spring and summer programs, such as Bloom Week (a wildflower festival at American Camp); a Civil War Sesquicentennial celebration, which includes a July 3 performance of the “Life and Times of General George Pickett”, in partnership with San Juan Community Theatre; and the annual Encampment and Weaving weekends at English Camp.

Among the accomplishments of 2012, are the renovation by park staff and contractors of the entire lower story of blockhouse at English Camp, establishment of a connector trail linking the English Camp and Mitchell Hill trail systems, continued restoration of the American Camp prairie, and the establishment of an environmental education program, starting with Friday Harbor Elementary School’s fourth graders and the Spring Street International School.

The park also welcomed Taylor to the fold, the park’s eighth superintendent since its creation by Congress in 1966.

For information, contact SJINHP staff at 378-2240, extension 2227 or 2228.