Santa Cruz County needs more ways to fight “weather whiplash,” and advocates believe Measure Q is the answer. The measure on November’s ballot establishes a dedicated fund for proactive work to protect our natural water sources, ocean and beaches, as well as investments in wildfire risk reduction, wildlife habitat enhancement and improvement of parks. It has widespread support from elected leaders and environmental groups. Sarah Newkirk, executive director at the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, retired water resources manager John Ricker and Jared Childress, program manager for the Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association, argue that it will help us better prepare for an uncertain future of climate-induced change.
