Eco News

Hilltromper is Back! Learn About the Reboot

Hilltromper's managing director, Mike Kahn, doing volunteer trail work with Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship at San Vicente Redwoods. Credit: Charlene Lee

The rebirth of our guide to the great outdoors is featured on California Local.

Rare Santa Cruz Brittle Star Fossils Shine New Light on Local Paleontology

This rare and extinct Amphiura sanctaecrucis was discovered in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Credit: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

Ancient “serpent star” fossils, Amphiura sanctaecrucis, not seen in the area since the early 1900s have been unearthed in the Santa Cruz Mountains and donated to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing's Huge Success Makes for a Good Show

The panel of presenters included folks from the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, Pathways for Wildlife, and the Santa Cruz Puma Project. Credit: Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County puts its big win at Laurel Curve on the big screen.

Zero Emission Rail Service is Coming to Santa Cruz!

The rail line hugs the coast by the Capitola Wharf. Photo courtesy of Friends of the Rail & Trail.

The design and planning for new zero-emission passenger rail service is happening now, and includes an online survey plus two Community Workshops on Tues., Nov. 12, in Watsonville and Weds., Nov 13, in Live Oak.

From Santa Cruz to the Stars

UC Santa Cruz’s James Lick Observatory, built atop Mt. Hamilton east of San Jose in 1888, was home to the world’s first mountain-top telescopes. Credit: Detroit Publishing Co. 1902 photochrome postcard.

UCSC astronomer ‘Dr. X’ talks about the stellar history of the Lick Observatory at SC Museum of Natural History lecture/cocktail-party.

Building a Resilient Future at Seacliff State Beach

More than 300 people attended the Seacliff Resilience community workshop in September. Credit: Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks helps the agency gather public input for a new vision at Seacliff and New Brighton State Beaches.

New Plan Unveiled to Safeguard Iconic Redwood Parks in Santa Cruz County

Hiking amidst the regrowth in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in June 2024. Credit: Mike Kahn.

California State Parks and Save The Redwoods League release report outlining actions needed to restore and protect Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo and Butano state parks after CZU Lightning Complex Fire

New weelili onyenmak Property Helps Protect Endangered Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander

We'd say that the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander is thrilled to have more protected habitat! Credit: Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.

With this property acquisition, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County safeguards critical habitat for this endangered, federally and state-listed species.

Pack Your Trash: How Santa Cruz Surfers Launched a Global Eco Movement

The iconic Pack Your Trash! design and cleanup campaign by the Pleasure Point Night Fighters. Credit: © Pack Your Trash (packyourtrash.com).

The Pleasure Point Night Fighters sparked the global beach-cleanup movement in the 1960s with a campaign launched around a slogan and the iconic “Pack Your Trash” logo. Also in Santa Cruz, Save Our Shores mentors students on ocean conservancy.

Transforming Transportation: The Impact of the Westside Rail Trail in Santa Cruz

 The Westside Rail Trail has become an everyday transportation corridor for Santa Cruzans and visitors. Photo courtesy of Friends of the Rail & Trail.

Kids biking to school, seniors running errands, and fun-seekers headed to West Cliff, Natural Bridges or Wilder Ranch are loving the safety and convenience of this community resource.

Pages