Earth Day is Thursday — with events stretching into the weekend. To celebrate our blue planet, consider taking the opportunity to restore natural spaces, learn about electric vehicles, ride the city’s new electric bus (for free) and engage with local activists.
Environment
Posted inEnvironment
Unwelcome and tough to evict: California’s costly, uphill battle against invasive species
Like house guests overstaying their welcome, foreign crabs have been nearly impossible to boot out of California. A new strategy, born of failure, may help combat armies of invasive plants and animals that are preying on vulnerable native creatures.
Posted inEnvironment
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute retiring flagship vessel to make room for bigger, better boat
The institute has announced it will be retiring its flagship vessel, the R/V Western Flyer, in fall 2022. The ship’s replacement will feature state-of-the-art technology to accommodate “all the different types of science that we do today.”
Posted inEnvironment
Have you seen the glut of large ships off our coastline? We did too — here’s what we’ve learned about them
Backed up shipping traffic at the Port of Oakland is forcing large tankers and cargo ships to wait offshore in the Monterey Bay, but many are stationed too close to sensitive coastal habitat.
Posted inEnvironment
CZU fire not impacting water quality — plus other highlights from the State of the San Lorenzo River event
One post-fire debris flow was observed, no ongoing water quality impacts from the CZU fire.
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Want a free electric car? You just might qualify, Santa Cruzans
Ecology Action, Regeneracion Pajaro Valley, and other regional groups are providing personal advocates, events, and other resources to help residents take advantage of electric vehicle incentives.
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Will climate change make water unaffordable in Santa Cruz? The city’s water director weighs in
Lookout sat down with Rosemary Menard, the longtime water director for the city of Santa Cruz, for a discussion on climate change and the need for investment in water infrastructure here and throughout the state.
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New Leaf Community Markets to ban single-use water bottles, beginning on Earth Day
‘By committing to using reusable bottles, we can remove almost 70,000 single-use plastic, aluminum and glass bottles a year,’ Athena Petty, senior sustainability manager at New Leaf Community Markets, says.
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Art returns to walls of Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for first in-person exhibit there since 2020
Combining art and science, the Museum of Natural History will open its doors in mid-April for its 33rd annual Art of Nature exhibit, showcasing local artists inspired by California’s natural beauty. There will be a virtual component that kicks off this week, too.
Posted inEnvironment
Tapped for California fish and game commission, UCSC ecologist wants to invite more voices to the table
If her appointment is approved by the state Senate, UC Santa Cruz ecologist Erika Zavaleta would become the campus’ only faculty member actively serving on a state government commission.