Eco News

Inaugural Santa Cruz County Wildfire Resilience Summit - June 6, 2024

Looking out at regrowth in Big Basin Redwoods State Park after the CZU Fire. Photo © Mike Kahn.

Learn about wildfire resilience projects and resources for landowners at the inaugural Santa Cruz County Wildfire Resilience Summit.

May is Peak Tick Season and Lyme Disease Awareness Month

The western black-legged tick is the only tick in California that transmits the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Photo courtesy Center for Disease Control.

Almost a half-million people per year contract the crippling ailment known as Lyme disease from tick bites. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself.

Land Trust of Santa Cruz County Protects Habitat for Rare and Endangered Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander

Our friend the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander. Credit: Robin Gwen Agarwal (CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED)

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County acquired 14 acres of core habitat critical to the recovery of the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander.

Fossil Sloth Bone Found in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the First of Its Kind Report in This County

Ice Age Sloth Skeletal Art, Credit: Mason Schratter. Courtesy of Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

Local students find Jefferson’s ground sloth fossil in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the first fossil evidence for this species reported in county history.

Natural History & Community Building in Santa Cruz

Undergrad Nefret Allen-Cantu and their “Pollinators and People” poster table. Photo by Bridget Lyons.

At the Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History’s symposium in the UCSC Hay Barn, our writer made some friends and discovered some fun facts.

New Big Basin Redwoods State Park Plan Incorporates Public Input

Exploring the Redwood Loop Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Credit: Mike Kahn.

Following the devastation of the CZU Fire, you have an opportunity to join the historic process of shaping the future of the oldest State Park in California.

Life in the Intertidal Zone

Bat star in a tide pool. Credit: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Editor's note: The next king tide in the Santa Cruz area takes place on Friday, Feb. 9. Tide pool viewing will be extra-good from Wednesday through the weekend.

Flash Flooding Damages Wilder Ranch State Park: Support Needed

Screenshot of photos from Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks' Facebook post about Wilder Ranch flood damage. See below for full post.
This week's significant rainstorm caused flash flooding and damage to Wilder Ranch State Park. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks seeks support for recovery efforts. 

Top TikTok Nature Trends – Health Benefits and Potential Pitfalls

Connecting with nature, literally. Credit: Mike Kahn

Explore how TikTok's outdoor activity trends connect people to nature, with all its health benefits, and how that balances with conservation of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Clean Water & Wildfire Protection Ballot Initiative Effort Launched

Glenwood lupine landscape. Credit: Vote YES Water and Wildfire Protection

Measure Will Address Critical Environmental and Climate Resilience Issues

Pages

Parks

Community

Gear