Cypress Environmental and Land Use Planning

05/09/2016

On May 2 my final newsletter was released. I announced the beginning of my retirement and the closing of Cypress Environmental to new clients. It's been a wonderful career, but now as I finish with some existing projects, I will begin a journey towards other endeavors, including teaching English-as-a-Second-Language. You can read my final newsletter and other past newsletters at: http://cypressenv.com/wp/410/newsletters-from-cypress-environmental-and-land-use-planning/

02/02/2016

February 6 is World Wetlands Day - a day to recognize the vital importance of wetlands to our earth as AND to celebrate them as an enjoyable natural resource. Watsonville (Santa Cruz County - pop. 51,000), a city that once turned is back on its productive wetlands, is officially commemorating the day. In the 1990's, Watsonville leaders began to understand the importance of wetlands for flood control, passive recreation and wildlife habitat. Out of this grew the annual Birding Festival that adds to the local economy. This is progress. See more at: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/article/NE/20160131/NEWS/160139949

01/19/2016

The Planning and Conservation League's annual symposium is this February 27 at U.C. Davis. This year's theme is "the Future is Now...Moving on Land Use, Water & CEQA" with a very reasonable registration fee. Info at: https://events.pcl.org/registration/

09/18/2015

Our hearts go out to all those who have lost their property, their homes and their lives in the massive wildfires that have ravaged California this week and much of the West this summer. One huge victim-Harbin Hot Springs & Spiritual Retreat Center in Lake County. It was completely destroyed this past week. Nearby town of Middletown partially destroyed as well.The video shows the sad story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IokBAZG-Kds

04/14/2015

Check out this 2-minute video on building a large barn without any nails! In March Santa Cruz Timber Frames, inc. with some volunteer labor from members of the S.C. Construction Guild built a large barn at the Univ. of Calif. @ Santa Cruz. No nails are used! Only wooden pegs, interlocking joinery and keyways with a mortice notch. See the Vimeo Video at the Home page of S.C. Const. Guild. -- http://santacruzconstructionguild.us/

Your Trusted Local Contractor & Home Improvement Referral Network

04/12/2015

Santa Cruz Celebrates Earth Day this April 18
Earth Day celebration at San Lorenzo Park from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. features live music from the Coffee Zombies Collective and SambaDa as well as free composting workshops. See more info. at: http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/departments/public-works/resource-recovery-garbage-recycling-sweeping/recycling-and-waste-reduction/earth-day-santa-cruz

Earth Day Santa Cruz is an exciting community event for the whole family. Earth Day has fun activities for kids, live music and lots of eco-friendly displays and information. For complete Earth Day schedule: scearthdayorg

01/27/2015

My Winter 2015 e-newsletter was released this week. One article that may be of interest to Santa Cruz area residents is Santa Cruz County's new "amnesty" program for non-permitted construction. Please contact me at [email protected] if you'd like to receive a copy.

01/20/2015

It's Elephant Seal calving and breeding time on the Central Coast! You can get up close to their critical habitat at Piedras Blancas Beach north of San Simeon. These photos were taken on Jan. 18. Just seeing the Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is a real victory for species protection. By 1900, it was hunted to almost extinction. Today the pop. is estimated to be over 180,000. The species and their habitat are protected by the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Calif. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife.

12/29/2014

Wishing all of you a wonderful New Year ahead. - Fill your world with peace. Fill your home with joy. Fill your heart with love! - All year long!

11/08/2014

Santa Cruz County recently initiated a construction legalization program for buildings that were constructed without permits. Under the name "LAPP" (Legalization Assistance Permit Program), the program will last until August 2016. A public meeting about LAPP will be held on Monday November 17 @ 7--9 p.m. at the St. John the Baptist Church on Canterbury Lane, Aptos (just off the Hwy. 1 exit ramp.) Details: http://www.sccoplanning.com/

10/29/2014

My Autumn 2014 newsletter has been released. Of thee 3 topics, one that may be interest to everyone is Micro-housing. This is a new idea that is being embraced by some cities to provide affordable housing for single-person households and people who spend more time outside of their home than in it! Send me an email if you'd like a copy of the newsletter. I'm at: [email protected]

07/16/2014

My summer newsletter was just released. One topic -- Urban Stream Restoration - Part 2 -- discusses why some cities are engaged in serious urban stream restoration for more reasons than just enhancing their urban environment. If you haven't received a copy and want one, lie this page OR go to http://cypressenv.com/wp/410/newsletters-from-cypress-environmental-and-land-use-planning/

Cypress Environmental Newsletter for Spring 2014 Urban Stream Restoration Restores Waterways as Assets Across the USA Your Business Could become a