Columns Environment 

Forest and Habitat Explored

By Zane Moore White ash blankets the forest, in some places even up to a foot thick. Much of the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, in areas that receive the most rainfall and have the highest biomasses—mainly the old growth redwood forests of Big Basin—were burned. Sadly, based on recent satellite imagery (worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov), it appears that most of this… Read More
Fall Garden San Lorenzo Valley Columns Gardening 

The Valley Gardener: Digging Deep into Autumn

By Marielle Martin As fall folds toward winter it’s time to get into the garden and prepare for new weather. We’re lucky here in the Santa Cruz Mountains, blessed with a mild autumn favorable to working outside. Aside from our evergreens, colder temps lay much in the garden bare, exposing the bones or architecture of our outdoor spaces. Those bones… Read More
Jayme Ackemann Ben Lomond California Columns Fire 

From Denial to Grief and Gratitude

A firsthand perspective on surviving a fire that “couldn’t happen”  By Jayme Ackemann Every fire evacuation isn’t as dramatic as those middle-of-the-night knocks our neighbors in Boulder Creek got, but mine was every bit as terrifying. The CZU Lightning Complex fire evacuation order came down for Ben Lomond, the San Lorenzo Valley town where I live, on August 18. It… Read More
Camp Krem Boulder Creek Sean McLean Columnists Fire Local News 

Dark Clouds and Silver Linings

Camp Krem Spirit Undaunted After Fire By Julie Horner Founded in 1957 by special needs educator, Alex Krem, Sr., Boulder Creek’s family run campground created especially for “giving exceptional people the opportunity to be themselves” has succumbed to the CZU August Lightning Complex fire. The CZU fire destroyed 20 buildings in all including the rustic Jon Lucchese Center, and has… Read More
debris flow evacuation map San Lorenzo Valley Bonny Doon Fire Local News 

Debris Flow Evacuation Map Released

Map shows San Lorenzo Valley, Bonny Doon, Davenport, and Swanton locations most likely to face evacuation orders due to debris flow hazard risk during the upcoming rainy season. County Press Release: County Press Release: Following the 2017 Thomas Fire in Santa Barbara County, debris flows – fast-moving, deadly masses of mud, rocks, boulders, entire trees – around the community of… Read More