Throngs of birdwatchers have gathered at the Santa Cruz Harbor to catch a glimpse of a female harlequin duck, which is rarely spotted this far south, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Environment
Posted inEnvironment
One of Santa Cruz County’s largest water sources is ‘critically overdrafted’; fixes are on the way
More than 50,000 residents of Santa Cruz County are reliant on a single water source: the dwindling Mid-County Groundwater Basin, which the state deemed “critically overdrafted” nearly a decade ago. Now local agencies are embarking on efforts to boost the ability of the basin to capture more rain during the wet months along with an […]
Posted inEnvironment
One of Santa Cruz County’s largest water sources is ‘critically overdrafted’; fixes are on the way
More than 50,000 residents of Santa Cruz County are reliant on a single water source: the dwindling Mid-County Groundwater Basin, which the state deemed “critically overdrafted” nearly a decade ago. Now local agencies are embarking on efforts to boost the ability of the basin to capture more rain during the wet months along with an […]
Posted inEnvironment
Rare plant spotted for first time in Santa Cruz County reveals hidden ecosystem reborn in fire
A hobby naturalist walking in the Santa Cruz Mountains discovered a patch of what turned out to be Humboldt County milkvetch, a rare plant that had never been spotted south of Mendocino County. Scientists believe the plant — known as a fire-follower because it often appears after a great disturbance to the landscape — actually has a far wider range than initially understood, but its seeds lay dormant here for decades until the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire. The discovery sheds light on how forestry practices that emphasized fire suppression have reshaped the landscape, reducing the biodiversity of plant life.
Posted inEnvironment
Desperate for water, a desert city hopes to build a pipeline to the California Aqueduct
Plans to build a $200 million water pipeline across the Mojave Desert to supply the city of Ridgecrest are angering environmentalists, farmers and miners.
Posted inEnvironment
California’s extreme weather whiplash: So long, drought; hello, El Niño
Drought has long been the norm for California. But the state had a historically wet winter, and El Niño is threatening again.
Posted inEnvironment
A river runs through Bakersfield? Judge rules the Kern River must be allowed to flow
Conservation groups sued to try to prevent the Kern River from running dry in Bakersfield. A judge ordered the city to ensure water remains in the river.
Posted inEnvironment
Arrowhead bottled water company sues to continue piping from California forest
California ordered a bottled water company to stop taking much of the water it pipes from a national forest. BlueTriton Brands is suing to challenge the ruling.
Posted inEnvironment
After eluding capture attempts, Otter 841 finds peace as new mother
Santa Cruz’s famous sea otter, 841, has given birth to a wee pup — suggesting that erratic behavior including pilfering surfboards could have been hormonally driven.
Posted inEnvironment
U.N. report warns of catastrophic climate tipping points. California is nearing several
The tipping points include groundwater depletion, rising insurance costs, extreme heat, species extinction, melting glaciers and space debris.
