Environment

Waves crash against the Santa Cruz coastline near a lighthouse

Coastal Protection

September 2, 2026

California lawmakers have sent AB 1448, the California Coastal Protection Act, to Gov. Gavin Newsom. The bill would block state infrastructure from supporting expanded federal offshore drilling.

Is Our Water Safe?

A recent notice about chromium-6 in local water has residents uneasy. But experts say the situation is more nuanced—and far less alarming—than it first appears.

Wetlands Day

The City of Watsonville and Watsonville Wetlands Watch will host the annual World Wetlands Day celebration on Saturday from 9:30am to 1pm along Struve...

Supervisors Approve Draft BESS Plan

Rules would give local control to controversial facilities By Todd Guild Of The Pajaronian The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday moved forward with...

Tons of Toxics at Moss Landing

Researchers monitoring effects on wildlife Staff report Editor’s note: This story came in part from a report by San Jose State University Professor of Marine...

An ocean view, pollution included

...right here in our county, our litter, our cigarette butts, our plastics are going into our watershed, and we’ve got to stop it.

Talks Continue on Battery Energy Storage Systems

About 150 people gathered July 17 at the third in a series of meetings about proposed local Battery Energy Storage Systems.

Phoenix Rising

California State Parks has released a plan to rebuild campgrounds and ease access to Big Basin Redwoods State Park, our oldest state park.

Storage Wars

A series of public technical workshops will examine the role and risks of battery energy storage systems in modernizing the energy grid.

Pajaro River Levee Project at Risk After Trump Claws Back Funding

Millions of dollars already allocated to blue states have been steered to red states, affecting the Pajaro River Flood Management Project.

Elkhorn Forever Campaign Aims to Raise $12 Million

Elkhorn Forever will ensure the long-term health of Elkhorn Slough’s ecosystem, which is home to more than 700 species of plants and animals.

Pajaro River Watershed a Focus of New Resilience Program

The Pajaro River Watershed is participating in the Watershed Resilience Program, which will help prepare for the effects of climate change.

Part of SC Wharf Collapses, Two Rescued

Santa Cruz Police released this report: At approximately 12:44 p.m. today, a call was received reporting that the end of the Santa Cruz municipal...

New Fireproofing Rules

Dragonfly Year

Private Lives and Public...

Kicking Good Time

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