Santa Cruz County Localist Articles


Image caption: When walking around this spring, keep an eye out for the stunning Calochortus lily.
Natural Wonders of Santa Cruz ... Spring Renewal

The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History has some tips on what to see in the blossoming new season, from wildflowers to migrating shorebirds to humpback whales.

Image caption: Sign up for a free spin through the Capitol Building and its gardens.
20 Free Things to Do in Sacramento County

Home to the state capital, Sacramento County offers many amusements for visitors and locals alike. But only some require no cash outlay.

Image caption: Working together with many volunteers, this crew feeds 65,000 people in Santa Cruz County every month.
California’s Oldest Food Bank Pays It Forward

For the food-insecure community in Santa Cruz County, Second Harvest Food Bank feeds the need.

Image caption: Run to Feed the Hungry participants raise funds for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.
Running Around California’s Capital Region

From marathoners to casual joggers, enthusiasts can take advantage of the Sacramento region’s diverse trails, terrain, and competitive events.

Image caption: Air pollution, such as seen here in Los Angeles circa 1972, contains greenhouse gases which cause the climate to change.
7 Ways California Leads the Battle Against Climate Change

Since 1947, California has led the United States in the fight against climate change. Here is a list of some of the steps the state has taken to battle global warming, greenhouse gases and air pollution.

Image caption: Now-retired Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) was the most outspoken climate denier in Congress for many years.
10 Frequently Heard Claims Made by Climate Deniers

Here are 10 of the most often-heard climate change denial claims and arguments. Do any of them hold any water?

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Help Others, Help Yourself

Volunteering it a great way to help your community. But you also reap benefits, including the chance to learn skills, reduce isolation and ease polarization.

Image caption: Ever little bit helps in the fight against climate change.
Small Steps in the Right Direction

Don’t just be a spectator in the fight against climate change. Here are some small steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint.

Image caption: Dairy products are California’s top agricultural commodity, but the industry is often criticized for its impact on the environment.
Sustainable Sustenance

California is a leading producer of agricultural crops. So it’s not surprising to find cutting-edge ideas taking root here.

Image caption: Workers clean up after flooding in Capitola Village.
Disaster Prep: Alerts, Maps and Apps

Prepare for disaster in Santa Cruz County by keeping crucial information at your fingertips—just one touch away on your smartphone.

Image caption: The winter solstice brings king tides, mating elephant seals and other natural wonders.
Exploring Wintertide

We asked the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History to throw a spotlight on the most intriguing natural phenomena during the darkest time of the year.

Image caption: Need legal services, transportation, home health care? You name it—there’s somewhere to turn for assistance.
Senior Momentum

California’s senior population is growing—and these local organizations are here to help.

Image caption: Though the Santa Cruz Mountains are known for redwoods and other evergreens, deciduous trees bring color to autumn hikes.
Splendor in the Leaves

We asked the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History to share a few of their favorite things about autumn in the Monterey Bay region.

Image caption: Santa Cruz is lucky to have local groups that look beneath the surface of homeless encampments and find ways to help.
Doing the Work

Experts see these organizations as the most effective at fighting homelessness.

Image caption: The newly opened Presidio Tunnel Tops provides free entertainment in pricy San Francisco.
Cheaper Thrills

California has some top-notch tourist attractions—with top-shelf prices. Here are some that won’t break the bank.

Image caption: Like ripples in a pond, the hip impulse moved through Santa Cruz and beyond, and continues across generations.
How Did Santa Cruz Get So Hip?

Looking back at the Sixties and Seventies in Santa Cruz

Image caption: The Santa Cruz Mountains, an inspiration for local artists for many decades.
10 Over 40

Too much emphasis is placed on what’s shiny and new. Just as important is what endures. We salute some of Santa Cruz’s oldest cultural institutions.

Image caption: Though all of its wooden parts have been replaced, the Giant Dipper looks the same as it did nearly a century ago.
I’m Still Here

A lot has changed in Santa Cruz County. But these things remain the same.

Image caption: Breeding wood ducks, blooming coastal bush lupines, and farewell-to-spring blossom are among the summer delights in Santa Cruz County.
Summer Sensations

We asked the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History to highlight the area’s most thrilling warm-weather attractions.

Image caption: Many of Robert Kerbeck’s neighbors in Malibu Park lost their homes in the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which left behind lots where only chimneys still stood.
Give Your Home a Fighting Chance

California wildfires are becoming larger, more frequent and more ferocious. ‘Malibu Burning’ author Robert Kerbeck shares simple steps you can take to protect your home.

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