Eco News

Paying to Play at State Parks

A mostly-ignored self-registration sign in Nisene Marks State Park. Hilltromper photo.

Sneaking into state parks is ridiculously easy. But what if paying to get in were convenient and affordable? We've started the conversation at Civinomics.com.

Solar and Lunar Power en Espanol

ß.torics solar globe

MAY 8, 2013-More than half of the electricity generated in Spain during the month of April came from renewable sources. And that number is sure to go up.

Green Birding, Adventure Birding

Birders line up to see a common cuckoo in a Watsonville slough in September 2012. Photo by Scott Smithson.

At some point, the idea of flying to the Olympic Peninsula at the drop of a hat to see a rare bird started to conflict with Scott Smithson's values as an environmentalist. So he started the Green Big Day.

Props For Santa Cruz County Plastic Bag Ban

The Save Our Shores Bag Monster hands out reusable bags. Photo courtesy Save Our Shores.

One year after the plastic bag ban went into effect in Santa Cruz County, 77 percent of county residents think it's been effective.

In Bird Census, Signs of Warming

A barn swallow perches on a wooden railing. Photo by John Haslam by Creative Commons.

Results of the Great Backyard Bird Count are in, and among the gee-whiz infonuggets (like the flock of 5 million redwinged blackbirds spotted in Missouri) are signs of climate change.

Castle Rock To Remain Open

Castle Rock State Park, once slated for closure, is getting a fresh lease on life. Photo by Tomwsulcer/Creative Commons.

A gift from the Sempervirens Fund—and the state's commitment to restitution after last summer's scandal—keep the Santa Cruz Mountain park off the 'closed' list.

Whale Crossing

A humpback whale breaching near San Francisco. Photo courtesy of NOAA.

New maritime policy will protect endangered whales off California's coast.

Keeley: Ocean Politics

Santa Cruz County Treasurer Fred Keeley. Photo from Ocean Spaces Videos.

If you've ever wondered why you should care about Marine Protected Areas, watch this video of Santa Cruz County Treasurer and former Assemblymember Fred Keeley at the State of the California Central Coast symposium in late February.

Will Work for Serenity

Wouldn't complain ending the day here after work! Photo by Steven Harper on Flickr.

March 27, 2013—Ever since we learned about the Tassajara Work Period, we can think of little else. From April 5 until April 26, the rustic Big Sur retreat opens its gates to anyone who wants to trade six-and-a-half hours of work per day for room, board and all the quality hot bath soaking time you can handle.

Butterfly Down U.S.A.

Adult monarch butterflies live on nectar from a number of different kinds of flowers, but larvae need milkweed. Creative Commons photo.

March 27, 2013—Mexico's overwintering monarchs aren't the only ones struggling.

Pages

Parks

Community

Gear