40-year old Endangered Species Act sets a high standard in forbidding extinction

UC Davis fish expert Peter Moyle on the history of the ESA and the state’s fish, and what is needed for our fish to survive. Sacramento Bee op-ed, December 29  Read More

It’s time to let Yosemite grow

Two bills would expand Yosemite National Park, but our Congressman has yet to add his support. San Francisco Chronicle editorial, December 27  Read More

Sacramento region rural schools see rapid enrollment declines

  The Sacramento region’s small, mostly rural districts are, with few exceptions, losing students at breakneck pace. Read more here  Read More

Drought brings water rationing orders

  December 2013 is shaping up to be the driest ever recorded.  Mandatory water conservation orders are beginning to sweep across the Sacramento region. Read more here    Read More

California Headed for Record Drought: Will Critically-Needed Reforms Follow?

The Sacramento Bee’s fine environmental reporter, Matt Weiser, yesterday reported on a looming, major drought facing California and its regional neighbors. The figures aren’t pretty.  A persistent high-pressure front stretching over the Gulf of Alaska and most of the Northern Pacific has diverted the normal fall and winter storm track away from California and other southwestern... Read More

Ecological Restoration Video

As part of its fire research, the Forest Service captures video footage of actual wildfires in progress. By employing specially designed heat resistant camera boxes, the agency has been able to document surprising fire behavior. Episode #13 “RESTORE.” of the US Forrest service’s Ecological Restoration video podcast series has now been released: You Tube  Read More

Lawmakers sow Yosemite seeds, but harvest so far unclear

Several bills that could affect Yosemite are pending in the Congress, ranging from salvage logging to honoring the Buffalo Soldiers. Sacramento Bee, December 14  Read More

Spawning a ministry*

You know the story of the salmon: born in the gravel beds of mountain streams, growing fat and strong in the Pacific Ocean and finally journeying home to spawn and die in a dramatic climax. But that’s not the end of it. Even in death, these fish aren’t finished – at least, not at the Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery, east of Clements. Instead, a new journey begins, led by a diverse group of volunteers who don’t mind handling a... Read More

Planners vote against more homes*

With countless houses boarded up and empty in Stockton, the city planning commission votes against a new suburban subdivision on the edge of town. The Record, December 14  Read More

Jackson approves upgrade to wastewater plant*

The Jackson City Council last week approved the low bid for the installation of a magnesium hydroxide feed system on the city’s wastewater system. Amador Ledger Dispatch, December 17  Read More