Santa Cruz County Environment Articles

Former Surfrider president and his allies propose an offshore reef to protect Sharp Park Beach—and create a nice wave for surf competitions.

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, …

The County of Santa Cruz has begun installing surveillance cameras at key locations in unincorporated areas of the County to help prevent illegal dumping, a strategy to protect the environment and help keep Santa Cruz County clean.

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance that will, in a little more than two years, ban the sale of filtered cigarettes in unincorporated areas of the county.

With this property acquisition, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County safeguards critical habitat for this endangered, federally and state-listed species.

The Pleasure Point Night Fighters sparked the global beach-cleanup movement in the 1960s with a campaign launched around a slogan and the iconic “Pack Your Trash” logo. Also in Santa Cruz, Save Our Shores mentors students on ocean conservancy.

John Hunt is a collaborator at the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation and a research toxicologist at the University of California, Davis. For over 20 years he co-directed the Marine Pollution Studies Laboratory at Granite Canyon on the Big Sur Coast, …

Protect San Benito County!

Elkhorn Slough, the vast natural area south of Watsonville that serves as a transition zone between land and sea and is home to myriad species of birds—as well as water and land animals—got a boost last week with a $6 …

In the wake of the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation’s recent historic $71 billion award, a look back at the first National Oceans Conference.

What does it mean when firefighters call a fire "contained?" Here's a brief guide to commonly used fire prevention terminology.

From the bluffs above the waves in San Mateo County, you can watch humpbacks breach—and feel the power of nature.

Learn what's getting into Californians’ lungs and why it matters.

California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF) has advice for farmers who have accumulated huge heaps of used plastic, specifically used drip system tape and hoop house film.

In the decade between 2013-23, volunteers and nonprofits picked up 439,358 cigarette butts from Santa Cruz County’s beaches and natural areas, accounting for a quarter of all litter found here.

Santa Cruz County voters on Nov. 5 will consider a parcel tax for county, city and nonprofit projects to help reduce the risks of wildfires, floods and other catastrophes fueled by climate change. Charred hills are shown near Davenport after …

In the decade between 2013-23, volunteers and nonprofits picked up 439,358 cigarette butts from Santa Cruz County’s beaches and natural areas, accounting for a quarter of all litter found here.

By Gael Norrington

The Fourth of July has long been a time of celebration in Santa Cruz County, a height-of-summer fete that draws hordes of people to local beaches to indulge in picnics, swim in the ocean and soak up the sun.

The May 11 first-ever Pitch In All Santa Cruz Cleanup Event had a significant community impact, with more than 30 organizations and 431 individuals holding cleanups from Davenport to the Pajaro Valley, including the cities of Scotts Valley, Capitola, Santa …