When the Boulder Creek native lost her own house to the CZU Lightning fire, she sprung into action to assist others who were perplexed about, and left vulnerable amid, the recovery process.
Mallory Pickett
Follow Mallory Pickett on: Twitter. Mallory brings deep expertise in environmental issues to Lookout, as well as national reporting experience that she will now apply in her hometown of Santa Cruz. She began her career as a chemist, studying ocean acidification at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, before being drawn to journalism.As a freelance journalist she’s written about science, the environment, and politics for a variety of publications including The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, Wired, and Slate. Her work has been included in several anthologies, including “What Future,” in 2017, and “The Craft of Science Writing,” in 2020. Her investigation into gender discrimination at a research institute in San Diego was included as a notable work in the “Best Science and Nature Writing of 2019.”“I care passionately about the well-being of the people and the environment of Santa Cruz County,” she says. “I can think of no better way to contribute to my hometown than to provide rigorous coverage of the parks, ocean, and farmlands that make this place so special.”
Nursing homes account for 72% of deaths in Santa Cruz County: Data reveals surprising trends
LOOKOUT EXCLUSIVE: A breakdown of the COVID-19 fatalities in Santa Cruz County shows nursing homes accounting for far more deaths than in other parts of the state. “The virus does not give you a break,” one health official says.
‘Such a burnout’: As workloads rise, nurses hope new testing guidelines, vaccines, bring relief
As COVID-19 surges, nurses in Santa Cruz County are being stretched to their limits. And getting tested for many has been just as challenging as it has for the general public. Will new testing protocol and a vaccine lesson the burden?
Monarch population continues to plummet, but feds still opt to delay endangered species protection
The number of monarchs observed on the West Coast has plummeted from millions in the 1980s to fewer than 10,000 this year. Only 500 butterflies were observed in Natural Bridges during this year’s Thanksgiving count.
County ICU bed capacity shrinks, but hospitals are ready to deploy surge beds
Santa Cruz County has just a handful of available ICU beds remaining. Local hospitals are planning to expand their capacity, but it won’t be easy.
What to put in your ‘go bag’ and other debris flow evacuation essentials
With the ‘atmospheric river’ weather event approaching, here’s everything you need to know about staying safe from mudslides, landslides and debris flows in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
‘We’re so close’: After decades, Cotoni-Coast Dairies land inches closer to public opening
By fall of 2021, the long-awaited public opening of the 5,800-acre Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument is expected to happen. Miles of new trails, picnic areas, and beautiful vistas will be available to the public for the first time.
Monterey Bay commercial crab season delayed for third time this year
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…
Rail Trail 101: Everything you need to know about the county’s most controversial transportation project
A quick primer to get you caught up on Santa Cruz County’s most controversial infrastructure project, which celebrates a big milestone Thursday as a segment formally opens for bike and pedestrian use.
Red flag warning: Fire risk turns dire in Santa Cruz County
A combination of strong winds and low relative humidity led to the National Weather Service issuing the red flag warning through Monday at 11 a.m.

