Santa Cruz County Sustainability Articles

Uncovering the transformative and sustainable potential of human composting in green burials

CENTRAL COAST—Forty percent of Santa Cruz County has now been deemed drought-free due to the rains that have drenched the Central Coast since the year began. Meanwhile, 17% of California is now out of drought conditions following a federal drought …

For over 200 years, ships at sea have used colorful flags to communicate with passing vessels or a nearby shoreline. Monterey City Manager Hans Uslar flew his own flag to the cruise ship industry, signaling his belief the city should…

By Josh Reilly It might be an odd time to talk about rain barrels and rooftop rainwater capture. As of late January, we have already picked up about 40” of rainfall in the SLV. Our gardens and landscapes are now …

The ambitious plan includes reaching carbon neutrality by 2035, 10 years ahead of the rest of California

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.

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

Ten-month outreach tour kicks off.

Everything you want to know about water management-related jargon

Scientists from UCSC and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary discuss the microplastics problem and what people can do about it

The California Transportation Commission has granted $115 million to the county to implement bike-transportation projects, including the Santa Cruz Rail Trail.

How and why to participate in Watsonville, Scotts Valley, other areas.

APTOS—Cabrillo College is in the midst of transforming four of its parking lots with new solar carports, part of what college officials say is a sustainability project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Work is underway in parking lots A-D, …

By Jayme Ackemann Rural, small town life in the midst of the sprawling, busy Bay Area has always been part of San Lorenzo Valley’s charm. Every new acquaintance is a friend of a friend, once removed. If our kids don’t …

Program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at city landfill.

A new program launched by the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF), ReGen Monterey and Flipping Iron, Inc. is joining a growing effort to recycle more plastic from local farms and ranches. CMSF, an organization aiming to protect California’s coastal ecosystems …

Proponents of competing urban growth measures say they have the key to building a better community

WATSONVILLE—This fall, Watsonville voters face a decision that has been 20 years in the making. Should the city’s urban growth restrictions put in place in 2002 be extended through 2040, or should residents and their elected leaders have an opportunity …

Consumers may not know it, but their cellphones and laptops – if improperly disposed of – could become an incendiary device. Ditto that for anything with a rechargeable battery, like a toothbrush, drill, or any number of now-common household appliances

Those familiar with the popular Vancouver Island lumberjack show “Big Timber” on Netflix, know the riveting storylines that emerge from working with giant trees—and the care it takes to do historic preservation right. Down here in California, in the state’s …