California Local

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Ventana Wilderness Alliance

This grass-roots organization is dedicated to protecting the wildlands of central California's northern Santa Lucia Mountains and Big Sur coast.

Local Environment Digest

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Public Safety Environment

Forest Thinning Policies Spark Debate

Firefighters and numerous studies credit intensive forest thinning projects with helping save communities near wildlands. But some environmental advocates say data from recent conflagrations show such efforts accelerate wildfire.

(Oct. 9, 2021) → Read the full Tahoe Daily Tribune report

Animals Environment

Wolf Spotted in Ventura County

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is investigating reports of a gray wolf in northern Ventura County. As yet there is no forensic evidence to confirm the sightings were of OR-93, the wolf that traveled over 900 miles, including through San Benito and Monterey counties, between January and April.

(Oct. 6, 2021) → Read the full Benito Link report

Recent Articles

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Image caption: RCDs look after the land, whether it’s used for grazing, growing, or getting out into nature.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

California Dirt

What do resource conservation districts protect? Pretty much everything that’s worth saving.

Image caption: There are still 27 oil platforms off the California coastline.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

Offshore Oil Drilling in California Waters, Explained

Why is California still experiencing offshore oil spills half-a-century after the catastrophic Santa Barbara disaster? The answer is found in the state’s longtime, close relationship with the oil business.

SIGNAL BOOSTER

Mercury Rising

In a series of articles, the Los Angeles Times explores the most literal result of global warming: extreme heat.

Image caption: Cargo ship traffic has reached record levels at California’s ports in 2021.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

Link Between Port Traffic Jams and Oil Spill, Explained

Here’s why cargo ship traffic has been dangerously heavy at California’s ports in 2021, and how the backup may have caused a disaster.

Image caption: A firefighter battles the Dixie Fighter, a massive blaze started by PG&E equipment.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

PG&E’s Record of Causing Fires, and What the Company Is Doing About It

The state’s largest power utility faced new criminal charges Sept. 24, but PG&E has a long and disturbing history of causing wildfires. Why? And how can the company change?

Image caption: Auburn State Recreation Area may soon be home to 142 new campsites.

STATEWIDE AGGREGATOR

State to Move on New Campsites in Auburn Park

Despite a history of wildfires in the area, the state wants to build nearly 150 new campsites in Auburn State Recreation Area in El Dorado and Placer counties.

Image caption: Water is a human right under California law, but it doesn’t always work out that way.

STATEWIDE EXPLAINER

Agriculture and Water Shortages in the State’s Breadbasket, Explained

Residential wells are drying up in the state’s main agricultural region at the same time that agricultural businesses consume almost 90 percent of the water there.