Eco News

The State of Santa Cruz Beaches

Moran Lake Beach/26th Avenue Beach in Santa Cruz, California

If you want to splash in pristine waters this summer, head to Sunny Cove, Pleasure Point, Sunset State Beach, or Lighthouse State Beach (better known by its nickname, Its Beach).

The Cleanest Beaches in Santa Cruz County

Its Beach in Santa Cruz, California

Dive on in, ocean lovers. These 10 beaches scored high marks on the Natural Resources Defense Council's annual water survey.

This is Hilltromper!

The nature-worshiping, fun-loving outdoor adventurer's guide.

Apple's New Operating System Named for Nor Cal's Big Wave

Craig Federighi at Apple WWDC 2013

Mavericks is first OS to honor "places that inspire us."

Save Our Shores Launches Beachkeepers Program

Expect more Beachkeepers signs like this one around Santa Cruz County. Photo courtesy Save Our Shores.

Save Our Shores looks to everyday efforts by citizens to keep neighborhood beaches pristine—and maybe help identify their next campaign.

Some Upgrades for Loch Lomond (But Nothing Crazy)

Add kayaks and canoes to this pretty picture. Photo by Hilltromper.

Goldilocks-like, the Santa Cruz City Council has adopted the middle of three approaches to bringing back the lonely reservoir, eschewing both big-ticket items and do-nothingism.

Loch Lomond Gets A Makeover

Your rental kayak here. Photo by Hilltromper.

Imagine a redwood-ringed lake in Santa Cruz County with a zipline, kayaks and canoes for rent, yurts for camping, backpacking sites, an amphitheater and a wedding facility. It could happen.

The Emma McCrary Trail Opens

Mapping out a switchback on the Emma McCrary Trail. Photo courtesy MBoSC.

With the unveiling of the once-contentious trail for bikes, horses and people, a car-free 25-mile loop through Santa Cruz and its hinterland opens up.

Marbled Murrelets And The Big Basin General Plan

A marbled murrelet chick in a nest. Photo by Peter Halasz/Creative Commons.

The good news for marbled murrelet watchers is that new development in Big Basin won't happen near the old growth forest. The bad news is they still don't think it goes far enough.

Paying to Play at State Parks

A mostly-ignored self-registration sign in Nisene Marks State Park. Hilltromper photo.

Sneaking into state parks is ridiculously easy. But what if paying to get in were convenient and affordable? We've started the conversation at Civinomics.com.

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