Eco News

Yosemite, The First California State Park

President Roosevelt and John Muir at Glacier Point in 1903. Their impromptu three-day camping trip led to the federal government taking back Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove from the state of California. National Park Service Historic Photo.

On the 150th anniversary of California State Parks, a look back at Yosemite—the place it all began and the one that got away.

The State of Santa Cruz Beaches 2014

New Brighton State Beach, one of the county's cleanest. Hilltromper photo.

The Natural Resources Defense Council's annual water quality report on America's beaches shows some surprises from Santa Cruz County beaches.

The Cleanest Beaches in Santa Cruz County 2014

Seacliff State Beach had an almost perfect water quality record last year, according to the NRDC's 2014 Testing the Waters report. Eugene Zelenko photo.

Every year the Natural Resources Defense Council issues its Testing the Waters report. These beaches scored the highest in Santa Cruz County for water quality.

Meet The San Vicente Redwoods

The San Vicente Creek watershed provides critical habitat for coho salmon, rainbow trout and a variety of birds, as well as providing essential drinking water for the town of Davenport. Photo by Karl Kroeber.

Hallelujah! The Cemex property north of Santa Cruz has a new name.

Another Big Step Toward Wildlife Crossing

The big guy approves. Photo by Bas Lammers.

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County has optioned 280 acres on the west side of Highway 17 as part of its plans for a wildlife crossing at Laurel Curve.

Poo Fighters

Getting Our Sh*t Together: Several agencies and organizations test water quality on the river. But only now are they sharing information with an eye toward cleaning up the San Lorenzo. Hilltromper photo.

Don't pooh-pooh the power of cooperation: by pooling data and resources, the agencies that test water quality on the San Lorenzo River are figuring out where pollutants are coming from—the first step toward getting rid of them.

Ten Reasons to Love The Castro Adobe

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on30May
The two-story Castro Adobe is considered a stellar example of Monterey Colonial architecture.

It's our newest park, and it's rad.

Friends of SC State Parks Honored

State Parks Sector Superintendent Kirk Lingenfelter, Bonny Hawley and State Parks Director Jackson.

The Dewitt Award for Partnership, bestowed by the director of California State Parks, honors commitment "above and beyond the call of duty" in accomplishing the department's mission.

Video: Redwood Sapling Goes to Space

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on13May
Yes, that's a young redwood tree in a plastic bottle. In space. (A screenshot from the first GoPro video of a sequoia sempervirens in the Mesosphere.)

A Santa Cruz redwood's unlikely 50-mile journey into the earth's atmosphere.

Stoked on Nature

Wilderness survival instructor Jack Harrison coaxes a flame from a ball of tinder during an Adventure Out class in early April.

Wilderness survival instructor Jack Harrison teaches connection with the earth and humankind's ancient ways.

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