Between Capitola and Aptos lies a spot with the warm water and prey that juvenile great whites crave, and Santa Cruz whale-watching outfits have been quick to add shark cruises to their offerings. Lookout’s Mallory Pickett went along for a look.
Environment
Posted inEnvironment
Memorial Day fires keep crews busy in Santa Cruz Mountains
Cal Fire reported 60% containment on the Hihn Fire, near Gazos Creek and North Escape roads in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, with the blaze at 3.41 acres in an update around 6:15 p.m. Monday. Earlier in the day, firefighters contained the Grade Fire fire, which grew to 7.5 acres near China Grade Road.
Posted inEnvironment
As California’s drought worsens, the Biden administration cuts water supplies and farmers struggle to compensate
The driest year in four decades for the state’s water supply hub is hitting its richest agricultural valley hard.
Posted inEnvironment
Santa Cruz’s ‘Fire Followers’ document phoenix-like flowers rising from ashes of CZU blaze
Citizen scientists are helping the professionals track what’s growing in areas ravaged by last year’s conflagration — and, naturalists hope, gaining some understanding of fire’s important role in a forest’s life cycle.
Posted inEnvironment
Craving fresh salmon? They’re coming in by the boatload at Santa Cruz harbor
The salmon fishery is very carefully managed and is only open in certain areas for certain weeks during the summer. So far, only Monterey Bay has opened—first for May 1-12, and now May 20-27. Fishing boats from all over are now congregating in Monterey Bay and offloading their catch in Santa Cruz.
Posted inEnvironment
A dozen dead whales have washed ashore in the Bay Area signaling another grim year
Ten gray whales are among the massive mammals that have been found beached in the San Francisco Bay Area this year, suggesting another grim year for the species.
Posted inEnvironment
California approves electric car mandate for Uber and Lyft
The air board unanimously adopted a rule that aims to cut greenhouse gases from ride-hailing companies. The big question is: Who will pay for the cleaner vehicles?
Posted inEnvironment
A Santa Cruz County drought conditions update: How are water restrictions affecting you?
Use the interactive map to see where your water comes from and learn about water restrictions in your area.
Posted inEnvironment
Changing of the environmental guard: Santa Cruz anti-plastics crusaders hand keys over to the next wave
Tim Goncharoff of the county zero waste program and Katherine O’Dea of Save Our Shores, longtime allies in a fight against single-use plastics that has affected policy well beyond Santa Cruz, are both moving on to the next chapter.
Posted inEnvironment
Running out of water and time: How unprepared is California for 2021’s drought?
With most of the state gripped by extreme dryness, some conditions are better, some worse, than the last record-breaking drought. Over-pumping of wells hasn’t stopped. But urban residents haven’t lapsed back into water-wasting lifestyles.