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The Wilderness Land Trust “keeps the promise of wilderness” by working to transfer private land to public ownership while protecting wilderness.

California Local Pin Marker Local Animals Digest

California Dairies Ignore Bird Flu Threat

11/25/2024

Learn how health officials and California dairies are responding, or not, to the explosive spread of bird flu through dairy herds across the state.

Unstoppable Invasion: How Did Mussels Sneak Into California, Despite Decades of State Shipping Rules?

11/25/2024

Most ships discharging ballast water into California waters are inspected, but state officials have tested the water of only 16 ships. Experts say invaders like mussels are inevitable under current rules and enforcement.

California Local Pin Marker Recent Articles

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo LOCAL NEWS
Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Endangered Species Act Protection for Monarch Butterfly

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing protection for one of the nation's most beloved species the monarch butterfly and is encouraging the public to be part of its recovery. The Service is seeking public input on a proposal …

Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo LOCAL NEWS
Monarch Butterflies

A universal banner of spring throughout much of North America, here in Central California the monarch butterfly’s black-lined, autumn orange wings also herald the fall, for they roost here in winter. And who could blame them?

Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo LOCAL NEWS
Rare Santa Cruz Brittle Star Fossils Shine New Light on Local Paleontology

Ancient “serpent star” fossils, Amphiura sanctaecrucis, not seen in the area since the early 1900s have been unearthed in the Santa Cruz Mountains and donated to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

San Lorenzo Valley Post logo LOCAL NEWS
Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossings Project Moves Forward

The long-anticipated Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossing Project reached a significant milestone with completion of the environmental review by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen). This is a significant step forward for this project that will enhance both …

Hilltromper Santa Cruz logo LOCAL NEWS
Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing's Huge Success Makes for a Good Show

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County puts its big win at Laurel Curve on the big screen.

Sacramento News and Review logo LOCAL NEWS
When Fish Are Free: Hundreds of Salmon Are Now Spawning in Klamath River and Tributaries After Dam Removal Completed

By Dan Bacher Hundreds of fall-run Chinook salmon are now spawning on the Klamath River and its tributaries both above and below the former sites...

Good Times logo LOCAL NEWS
The Hills Are Alive

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk Giant Dipper has drawn over 60 million thrill-seekers to scream while careening around the roller coaster’s hairpin turns. But more than 65,000 motorists a day know that roller coaster ride pales compared to the high-speed, white-knuckle …

Local News Matters Stockton logo LOCAL NEWS
State Water Officials Alarmed at Discovery of Invasive Mussel Species in Port of Stockton

A “significant threat” to the Delta has been discovered in the Port of Stockton.The golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei), an invasive, non-native freshwater bivalve, was recently discovered in the port by California Department of Water Resources staff while conducting routine operations, …

Good Times logo LOCAL NEWS
Bigfoot Discovery Museum Set to Close

One of Santa Cruz’s signature outposts, the Bigfoot Discovery Museum is set to close pending the sale of land at 5497 Highway 9 in Felton. Owner and museum curator Michael Rugg listed the property for sale Oct. 18, and expects …

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RCDs look after the land, whether it’s used for grazing, growing, or getting out into nature.
California Dirt
RCDs were created to avoid a repeat of the Dust Bowl. Now they work with landowners to preserve the air, water and natural habitats that sustain us all.
From the coast to the mountains, Santa Cruz County’s landscape has given way to human development. But residents can make all parts of the region more hospitable to native species.
Backyard Ecology
No matter where you live, you can help native flora and fauna.
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