August 2008

Scotts Valley bans polystyrene
The City of Scotts Valley has joined the ranks of local jurisdictions banning the use of Styrofoam for take-out food. Similar ordinances have already been passed by the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz, Pacific Grove, and the County of Santa Cruz. If your community has not yet adopted a ban on this problem plastic, talk to your City Councilmember or County Supervisor.

Marina fund growing
In June of 2007, The Ventana reported that the Club and City of Marina had come to an agreement to reactivate the Marina Protection, Conservation and Restoration Account (formerly known as the Marina Habitat Conservation Fund) in the amount of $230,000. The Club's attorney, Michael Stamp, and the assistant city attorney, Ken Buchert, continued to investigate and found that the City owed the account an additional $105,170 in interest. Now that the interest has been deposited and continues to accrue, applications are in the works to use the funds for coastal zone restoration. We'll keep you posted on future projects.

Become a docent
Año Nuevo is recruiting volunteers to receive comprehensive training as docent naturalists to lead guided walks through the Elephant Seal rookery during breeding season. Año Nuevo Reserve, located half an hour north of Santa Cruz on Hwy. 1, offers an uncommon and remarkable wildlife experience. Training begins September 3. For more information call 650-879-2032.

Santa may need a boat
If predictions of some polar scientists come true, there is a good chance Santa Claus may need a boat instead of a sleigh. There is a 50:50 chance that melting ice at the North Pole may reveal open water this summer.

Save gas
The Union of Concerned Scientists notes that dropping your speed from 75 mph to 55 mph (as was the law in the 1970s) will improve fuel efficiency by over 30%. It's more relaxing too.

Landfills and incinerators are retro
A report released in June, "Stop Trashing the Environment," concludes that incinerators and landfills have no place in our green economy. Preventing waste and strengthening recycling and composting is one of the most effective ways to combat global warming. To read the report visit www.stoptrashingtheclimate.org.

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