Environment

Ear to the Wild: Musical Geophony at Sugarloaf

In soundscape ecology we think of three different categories of sound. One of those, and really the first, is geophony. It can be quite musical, and here’s a good example of it. The creek’s flowing quite well, and there’s this great low frequency plunging sound of the water. So, let’s just give a…

Ear to the Wild: Elephant Seal Pups at Drakes Beach

In winter Elephant seals gather on Drake’s Beach, at Point Reyes National Seashore. Females give birth to pups and nurse them during this time. Elephant seal monitoring activities at Point Reyes National Seashore are authorized under National Marine Fisheries Service Permit Number 27424.

Bay Area Bountiful: Fisher Creek Women

A group of women environmentalists from Point Blue Conservation Science and Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority get together to plant native flora along a creek bank in Coyote Valley.

Bay Area Bountiful: The Worm Lady

From thermal composting, to worm composting, to compost tea we see Alane O'Rielly spreading compost and spreading the good word about sustainable practices.

Minute with Matt: Monarch Butterflies

Matt shares a newly emerged western monarch butterfly he has found, and whispers in reverence as it gathers strength.

Minute with Matt: Bay Laurel

Have you ever smelled a Bay Laurel leaf?

Ear to the Wild: American Bullfrogs in Sonoma County

American Bullfrogs were brought to California from the eastern states because the native Red-legged frog had become so scarce. A hundred and twenty-five years later, the American Bullfrog has become a dominant voice in many California soundscapes. It’s a reminder that our actions can have a…

Ear to the Wild: Winter Solstice at London Lake

I’m up here at Jack London’s old property, at the London Lake. I thought we’d lend an ear to the Winter soundscape here. The lake is nice and full. We’ve been getting a lot of rain, and it’s overcast. And it’s got that nice magical, misty quality. So, let’s give a listen to this solstice soundscape.

Ear to the Wild: A Western Gray Squirrel Sounding the Alarm

Western Gray Squirrels make a rapid tapping sound with their feet. This can be to let a predator know they’ve been spotted. Or to warn other squirrels that a predator is lurking nearby. Western Gray Squirrels are common throughout Sonoma County. Keep an ear out for them.

Bay Area Bountiful: Canopy

When is the best time to plant a tree? Find out from Palo Alto nonprofit Canopy.

Ear to the Wild: Mute Swans Taking Flight

Mute Swans are the ones you see in so many fairy tales. People started bringing them to North America from Europe around the late 1800s. They can severely impact native ecosystems, eating up to 8 pounds of underwater plants a day! This leaves less for native waterfowl. Mute Swans flap their wings…

Ear to the Wild: Using the Cricket as a Thermometer

In 1897 a physicist named Amos Dolbear published a paper called “The Cricket as a Thermometer.” He’d discovered a formula for estimating the air temperature by counting the chirps of crickets. Let’s try it!

Ear to the Wild: A Juvenile Great-horned Owl

Juvenile Great-horned Owls beg for food from adults by making raspy sounding screeches. In the Fall they’re learning to hunt, but they still beg for food from the adults. In this recording their dialog ends with what sounds like the juvenile Great-horned Owl landing in a grassy field and catching…

Ear to the Wild: Gray Foxes on a Moonlit Night

As the moon rises a Gray Fox barks. Her voice reverberates across a small field of Coyote Brush and grass. Another Gray Fox responds in the distance. Their voices carry over the chorus of crickets. Owls sing as the night settles in. The two Gray Foxes call to one another from the shadows, and…

Ear to the Wild: An Orchestra of Crickets

The sound of crickets all singing together is sometimes referred to as an orchestra. Late summer and fall is the time when the cricket Orchestras here in Sonoma County start to tune up and fill the night with their music!

Bay Area Bountiful: Urban Bobcats

Bobcats in the city? Shravan Sundaram has the evidence: stunning images he has captured of the elusive felines living as our neighbors in very close proximity.

Ear to the Wild: The Pacific Slope Flycatcher

One bird you’ll hear around parts of Sonoma County in the summer is the Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Once you learn their song it’s easy to recognize. So, next time you’re relaxing in the shade by a creek and sipping lemonade on a hot summer’s day in Sonoma County, keep an ear out for the…

Ear to the Wild: An American Bittern in the Mix

If you listen closely to this soundscape you’ll hear a low sound that sounds a little like “ker-plunk, ker-plunk...” That’s a species of bird called the American Bittern.

Ear to the Wild: Ash-throated Flycatcher

Every spring and summer the Ash-throated Flycatcher’s distinctive voice contributes to soundscapes across the West, from Texas to California. But by the end of August they take their music back to Mexico, and as far south as Central America.

Minute with Matt: Poison Oak

Naturalist Matt Dolkas gives tips on how to identify everyone’s least favorite plant and what to do if you get the rash. For more information visit Peninsula Open Space Trust, openspacetrust.org

The Bird Woman of Alcatraz

Lidia D’Amico takes incredible joy in her job, monitoring the tens of thousands of birds that nest on Alcatraz Island.

Ear to the Wild: The Underwater World of the Harbor Seal

Harbor seals spend up to 70% of their life underwater. Their aquatic home can sound strange and even abstract to our ears. In this recording from Jenner we can hear harbor seals making grunting sounds, and blowing bubbles.

Bay Area Bountiful: ALAS Half Moon Bay

ALAS, Ayudando Latinos a Soñar (Helping Latinos Dream) is a nonprofit coastside agency providing crucial services to the community, including farmworkers.

Ear to the Wild: Marsh Wrens at Kennedy Park in Napa

Marsh Wrens are about the size of a sparrow. They’re a rusty-brown color, with black and white markings that resemble eyebrows. These were recorded at Kennedy Park, in Napa. Listen carefully and you’ll hear a quick couple of “chuck” sounds, followed by the Marsh Wren’s “rapid fire” song.

Ear to the Wild: A Northern Mockingbird Singing His Heart Out

The Northern Mockingbird is an impressive singer! This species gets its name from how they mimic the songs of other birds. The more sounds the male is able to include in his song, the more likely he is to attract a female.

Ear to the Wild: Swainson’s Thrushes on the Russian River Estuary

The Swainson’s Thrush is one of those birds that you’re more likely to hear than see. If you paddle along the south bank of the Russian River Estuary, near Jenner… you might just hear the beautiful music of our russet-backed Swainson’s Thrush!

Ear to the Wild: Downy Woodpeckers and Chicks

We’re back at the headwaters of Sonoma Creek, in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park listening to Downy Woodpecker chicks. We were last here in winter, and now it’s spring.

Bay Area Bountiful: Sung Lee "The Bee Charmer"

East Bay beekeeper Sung Lee has been creating a real buzz on social media lately.

Ear to the Wild: Springtime at London Lake

Springtime at London Lake, in Jack London State Historic Park, is alive with the sound of many species of birds and insects.

Ear to the Wild: The Mysterious Song of the Varied Thrush

The Varied Thrush's song has been described as haunting, ethereal, and mysterious. Listen, and you might just hear the spirit of the old growth forests they call home, reverberating in the song of the Varied Thrush!

Ear to the Wild: A Bewick’s Wren at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

By the end of his second month the male Bewick's Wren has found his own unique Voice. This will be the song he sings for his entire life!

Ear to the Wild: The Red-breasted Nuthatch in Sonoma County

Red-breasted Nuthatches can be found in parts of Sonoma County. You can sometimes hear them in Annadel State Park. The next time you visit your favorite stand of conifer trees, keep an ear out for the Red-breasted Nuthatch!

Ear to the Wild: Black-tailed Deer Alarm Sounds

Deep down in their DNA Black-tailed Deer are wired to be on alert for predators. When a mountain lion or say, a bobcat is nearby, Black-tailed Deer will sound an alarm.

Ear to the Wild: The Western Screech-Owl

They're small, and hard to see at night. But when you hear that bouncing ball rhythm coming from the forest, you'll know it's a Western Screech-Owl! (Photo: Randy R. Magnuson, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Ear to the Wild: A Mourning Dove at Dusk

Mourning Doves get their name from the sound they make. People sometimes describe it as being sad, or mournful, so that's why naturalists have named them the Mourning Dove. Their gentle cooing always seems to add something special to the soundscape!

Ear to the Wild, S2-06: Red-winged Blackbirds at Ledson Marsh (Aired: Week of February 12, 2024)

Red-winged Blackbirds have a strong and clear voice. Their songs and calls easily carry over water and across fields. The classic Red-winged Blackbird song sounds like they're singing "conk-la-ree, conk-la-ree."

Ear to the Wild, S2-05: Russian River Quietude, Part 1

The real power of quietude is that it can speak so deeply to our hearts. Like in this moment on the Russian River, on a rainy winter’s day.

Ear to the Wild, S2-04: Restored Habitat at Denman Reach

Many species of bird seem to be making good use of the restored riparian habitat along the Petaluma River, in the Denman Reach open space area.

Bay Area Bountiful: East Bay Monarchs

Biologist Dr. Stu Weiss is passionate about preserving Bay Area habitat for migrating monarch butterflies.

Ear to the Wild (S2-Ep03) - Pacific Treefrogs in Full Chorus

Pacific Treefrog sounds range from quiet to very loud! The males vocalize to establish territory, and also to attract females. Listen as their chorus gets started, and then escalates to its full intensity!

Ear to the Wild, S2-02 - The White-Breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatches get their name from the way they crack open seeds. They wedge the seed into a nook in the bark of a tree and tap at it with their beak until they hatch it open. Listen to this small flock of White-breasted nuthatches calling and tapping in the trees.

Ear to the Wild, S2-01 - The Headwaters of Sonoma Creek in Winter

The headwaters of Sonoma Creek, in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, is a place of many moods. In the Spring it’s alive with the sound of birds and insects. But now, in the winter, it's hushed, and subdued.

Connect the Bay: Kelp Artist

San Francisco photographer and author Josie Iselin helps audiences look at seaweed in a whole new light.

Ear to the Wild, Episode 39 - The Coming of Night at Lake Suttonfield (Aired: week of December 10, 2023)

Daytime transitions into night along the shore of Lake Suttonfield, in the Valley of the Moon. Great-horned Owls, Acorn Woodpeckers, Crickets, and others tell the story of the coming of night.

Ear to the Wild, Episode 37 - Wild Turkey Adults and Chicks (Aired: week of November 13, 2023)

Turkeys were introduced into California in the second half of last century as a trophy hunting bird.

Bay Area Bountiful: Greener Cement

Greener Cement? Learn how California cement manufacturers are trying to decarbonize their industry.

Ear to the Wild, Episode 36 - The Cooper's Hawk (Aired week of: November 6, 2023)

Cooper's hawks are smaller than the red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks. They've evolved to maneuver between the tight branches and other obstacles of the forest.

Ear to the Wild, Episode 35 - Northern Pygmy Owl at Dusk (Aired week of: October 30, 2023)

There's something about the steady rhythm of the northern pygmy owl's song that just seems to invite us into the deeper mysteries of the forest.

Awesome Women Environmentalists: I'm A Burner

Trina Cunningham, a member of the Mountain Maidu tribe in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, continues the wisdom of her elders about fire by teaching a small group of non-native wild land fighters how to do a cultural burn.

Ear to the Wild, Episode 26 - Mountain Lion - Wild Relative and Teacher

Ear to the Wild with Jack Hines brings you soundscapes with a rich auditory perspective on the sounds of nature in the North Bay Presented by KRCB.

Ear to the Wild, Episode 30 - Acorn Woodpeckers

Hear the most recent installment of Ear to the Wild with Jack Hines.

Bay Area Bountiful: The Center for Ecoliteracy

Bay Area Bountiful visits Peterson Middle School where the staff have teamed up with The Center for Ecoliteracy. Together, through transformational experiences in the cafeteria, classroom, and the onsite farm they are educating students about food systems and its connection to their environment.

Bay Area Bountiful: Getting Loud for the Climate!

Young activists with Citizens’ Climate Lobby San Mateo take to the streets to spread their message to the community: It’s time to get loud for the climate!

Bay Area Bountiful: Dr. Martin Griffin

Game Changer Martin (Marty) Griffin, M.D. helped save the Marin and Sonoma County coasts from development by preventing the building of a four-lane freeway, among many other accomplishments in human and environmental health.

Bay Area Bountiful: California Native Plants

For years, the California Native Plant Society has been working in the field, online, in meeting rooms, and in gardens to promote the health of indigenous flora.

Bay Area Bountiful: Alcatraz Cruises

Alcatraz City Cruises operates their fleet of hybrid electric powered vessels in an effort to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gasses.

Mycelium Youth Network

Mycelium Youth Network trains youth in both climate adaptation and mitigation – through games, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Cool Petaluma

In Petaluma, residents are building a planet-friendly community, block-by-block.

Connect the Bay: Luther Burbank Home & Gardens

At Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, garden curator Rachel Spaeth wrangles dedicated student and community volunteers to keep this historic landmark an ongoing center of learning and beauty.

Raptor Fest

Master Falconer Kenny Elvin supports a Peregrine Falcon in his gloved hand when he tells us, "Falconry is the art of hunting with raptors."

Identifying a Death Cap Mushroom Could Save Your Life

The fungal network in California has been infiltrated by an invasive and fatal species of fungi––the death cap. Learn more here about the key characteristics of the Amanita phalloides mushroom and how to avoid potential poisonings while hunting for mushrooms in Northern California.

Hunting for Wintertime Fungi in Sonoma County

When winter rains fall, life that was dormant underground begins to make its appearance. Mushrooms pop up all over our region – from the forest floor to your own backyard! Learn more here about what to look for when hunting for mushrooms.

Winter Bird Observing with Alvaro Jaramillo

Join Bay Area Bountiful as we follow SF Bay Bird Observatory biologist, Alvaro Jaramillo, on a winter bird watching excursion in Half Moon Bay.

Winter Bird Observing with Birder Alex Cho

While winter may seem hush and dormant, birds fill the season with sounds and activity as many different species visit the Bay Area during their winter migrations to warmer locations. Learn more about what makes our region special for migratory and native birds during winter from a young and avid…

Western Monarch Butterflies Pivot from Verge of Extinction

Every year, volunteer citizen scientists return to the California Coast to participate in the Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count. Their work observing and counting monarch butterflies at hundreds of overwintering sites from Mendocino to Baja provides the best look at how the species is faring after…

Bay Area Bountiful: Winter Wild

Bay Area Bountiful brings you to the wild side of winter in our first episode of season six, Winter Wild.

Water Conservation - Groundwater

While not visible, underground aquifers hold vast amounts of water. However, during periods of drought groundwater storage is at risk of overuse. Learn more on the importance of water conservation during droughts.

Tidal Marsh Soil Elevation

In the tidal marshes at San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, research ecologist Karen Thorne, PhD and biologist Chase Freeman, from the USGS Western Ecological Research Center, study how quickly sediment accumulates in the marshland over time.

Carbon Farming and Ranching

Loren Poncia discovered the powers of carbon sequestration after partnering with the Marin Carbon Project a decade ago. After learning from the environmental stewardship program, Poncia has continued to implement carbon farming practices at Stemple Creek Ranch.

The Soil Food Web

Dr. Sajeemas "Mint" Pasakdee is a University of California Cooperative Extension master gardener. Her passion is studying the amazing microscopic world of the soil food web: the complex interaction of plants and animals that are the foundation of rich soil that healthy plants depend on.

Compost and Carbon Sequestration

Kevin Lunny founded West Marin Compost after realizing the local need to recycle organic materials from the area into nutrient-rich and biologically active soil amendments which could be placed right back into the land in Marin County.

Creating Vermicompost Through Earthworms

Jack Chambers co-founded the Sonoma Valley Worm Farm a quarter of a century ago after a surprising discovery in his home garden's compost bin. The composting worms he had bought from a local bait worm farm had processed his compost pile into a refined and nutrient-dense soil––vermicompost.

San Jose Airport Pollutants Survey

Neighbors who live near San Jose's Reid-Hillview Airport have been living with noise and air pollution for many years. Now a new study commissioned by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors has found definitive proof that lead from the leaded fuel exhaust of small aircraft constantly flying…

Agricultural Workers and Poor Air Quality

Late summer is grape harvest season in Sonoma County, an extremely important time for Sonoma County’s billion dollar wine industry. Unfortunately, now, because of climate change, harvest coincides with California’s annual fire season.

Growing Food During a Drought

Front Porch Farm in Healdsburg, CA is located right next to the Russian River, and during this drought period, their water was shut off to maintain water levels and the health of the river. So how do you farm without access to water?

Three Ocean Advocates: Inspiring Change - Barbara Crites

Barbara has documented the harming effects of the warming oceans and has seen first-hand bleaching coral, bacterial diseases, loss of fish habitat and more. For the past 10 years while snorkeling around St John, Barbara has collected over 90,000+ images. Although not a trained scientist, Barbara’s…

South Bay Water Savings

Like the rest of the Bay Area, Santa Clara County is facing a serious lack of water this year. Valley Water is the agency tasked with providing this valuable resource to everyone. We hear from Deputy Officer of Operations Gregory Williams about the seriousness of the situation and the importance of…

Three Ocean Advocates: Inspiring Change - Dick Ogg

Living and fishing in the Bodega Bay area for 55 years, Dick is forced to confront the realities of a warming ocean, the creation of a Marine Projected Area in the local fishing grounds, and derelict crab pots.

Drought and Cattle Ranching

Carissa Koopmann Rivers, a fifth generation cattle rancher, runs her operation, Rivers Red Angus, at Curry Canyon Ranch in the hills of Mount Diablo as part of a conservation project––Save Mount Diablo.

Bay Area Fire Marshals

We spoke with three Bay Area fire chiefs from Cal Fire to learn more on how to best prepare ourselves, our homes and our communities for California's now year-round wildfire season.

Gulls Galore

Though many people think all "seagulls" are alike, Alvaro Jaramillo loves to share the fascinating stories of our diverse local gulls with those wanting to learn more. A senior biologist with San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, he astonishes tour groups with his encyclopedic knowledge not only of…

Fire Stewardship with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band

Amah Mutsun Tribal Chair Val Lopez and CSU Chico's Don Hankins explain the vital potential that controlled burning has, both in terms of the health of California's wildlands and its indigenous people. When people think of California Indian culture and cultural resources, they often look at tangible…

Where have all the Herring Gone?

By Alastair Bland Pete has fished San Francisco Bay for nearly all of his 60 years. A lifelong San Francisco resident who keeps his last name to himself, he recalls herring runs in the 1970s the likes of which rarely, if ever, occur anymore. “I remember herring spawns that went from Oyster Point…

Opening the Mouth of Walnut Creek

By Robin Meadows Paul Detjens is driving us from his Martinez office to a restoration site near the mouth of Walnut Creek on Suisun Bay, a project he spearheads as an engineer for the Contra Costa County Flood Control District. These lower reaches of the creek — straightened, widened, and leveed by…

Network Listens for Passing Salmon

By Kathleen M. Wong It’s a cold morning in early February, and Chris Vallee of the U.S. Geological Survey is motoring upriver along Steamboat Slough. His two-man crew is hunched in the bow with backs to the wind, wrapped to the ears in water-resistant jackets above warm layers. Vallee pilots the…

All Parks Closed in Sonoma County

Sonoma County Health Officer, Dr. Sundari Mase, ordered the closure of all parks in Sonoma County. The order went into effect on March 24 and did not list an end date. The order comes after too many people crowded Sonoma County beaches, parks and trails. According to a county press release,…

Nine Active Coronavirus Cases Reported in Sonoma County

As of Thursday, March 19, there are nine known cases of Novel Coronavirus in Sonoma County. Two cases were announced on Wednesday, March 18 and one more was announced on Thursday, March 19. No additional information about these cases has been released at this time. On Sunday, March 15, Rohnert Park…

Could Free Transit for Kids Help California Beat Climate Change?

By Jakob Lazzaro Cal Matters It’s mid-afternoon at the 4th Avenue/Wayne Hultgren light rail station on Sacramento’s blue line. Alexandra Curtis, a senior at nearby C.K. McClatchy High School, glances up the tracks, awaiting a south-bound train. But the ride’s not going to cost her anything. Under a…

Interview: Reporter Will Houston Lays Out the Pros and Cons of Measure I

Marin and Sonoma County voters will soon decide whether to extend a sales tax supporting the SMART train until 2059. Campaigns on both sides of the issue have each received over a million dollars in support of their positions. Reporter Will Houston from the Marin Independent Journal has been…

Should California Restrict Building in High-Risk Fire Areas?

In her recent article, entitled “Fire Amnesia”, Felicity Barringer from the Bill Lane Center for the American West, argues that Californians are resistant to policies that would limit building in high-risk fire areas. KRCB’s Adia White spoke with Barringer about the role of local government in…

Board of Supervisors Approves $11 Million For Joe Rodota Trail Encampment

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved over 11 million dollars last week to help shelter more than 200 residents camped along the Joe Rodota Trail. KRCB’s Adia White spoke with County Supervisors Lynda Hopkins and Susan Gorin about the plan. (Image: The Joe Rodota Trail. Credit: Wikimedia…

On Thanksgiving, Remembering an Anniversary

On November 20, 1969, American Indian activists traveled to Alcatraz to begin an occupation of the prison island. It lasted 19 months. They were focused on the sovereignty and lost rights of native peoples. That anniversary has been celebrated this fall — first on Indigenous Peoples Day October 14…

California Burning Podcast: The Science of Fire Behavior

The Camp Fire was the most destructive fire in California’s history. 19,000 homes were destroyed and at least 85 people were killed. But with so many fuel-laden forests, the question becomes not why this happened, but why we haven’t seen more disasters of this scale? Matt Fidler, the creator of the…

Impacts Expected on Russian River After Kincade Fire

The Russian River provides water to as many as 700,000 local residents; close to a million visitors use the river for recreation in the summer. Reporter Pamela Lorence visited Healdsburg last week to meet with Don McEnhill, the head of the nonprofit group Russian Riverkeeper. He told her how…

'Halloween Do-Over' Brings Joy to Healdsburg After Fire

by Matt Villano When it became clear that Healdsburg was downgrading its evacuation status on Halloween, two local women figured most people would miss out on the typical trick-or-treat experience. The women, Elena Halvorsen and Mandy Carpenter, both have kids in the local public school, and both…

Survivors of Camp Fire and Tubbs Fire Look Back and Ahead

Over the past two weeks, art lovers have been visiting studios throughout Sonoma County. Art Trails, which organizes the visits, was about to start two years ago, when the Tubbs Fire raced through Santa Rosa. Artist Bill Gittins was ready to display several hundred of his paintings and prints but…

Fire Survivors React to Power Shut-off

Millions of Californians had their power shut off last week by Pacific Gas and Electric Company as a way to help prevent wildfires from starting during dangerous conditions. As part of a five-part series dedicated to the anniversaries of the Tubbs and Camp Fires, we look into how these two…

Smokey the Bear Has Affected Forest Management for Decades

Fire season in California has been getting longer and more intense. One major reason for the severity is fire suppression. Putting out fires is a message officials have touted for more than a century. But as Matt Fidler, the creator of the new radio series “California Burning” tell us, the message…

Study Shows Climate Change Could Threaten Oyster Habitat

Research from the University of California at Davis published last month shows that climate change could dramatically shrink oyster habitat. KRCB’s Adia White visited Hog Island Oyster Company on Tomales Bay to find out how this will affect local businesses. (An employee sorts oysters ahead of a…

Controlled Burns Could Help Prevent California's Megafires

Over the past two years, California has been devastated by the worst wildfires in its history. As those fires continue to grow in frequency and intensity, the state has begun to fight fire with fire. Felicity Barringer, editor and lead writer at the Bill Lane Center for the American West talked…

Gray Whale Mystery

Are Gray Whales the Canary in the Climate Coal Mine? WATCH VIDEO. NorCal Public Media explores the mystery of Gray Whales washing up on California beaches. Locals and tourists marvel at the yearly northward migration of the Gray Whales, which occurs every spring. But 2019 has been a year that has…

Sonoma County Inspects Rural Properties for Fire Safety

Sonoma County is inspecting homes and properties to make sure that owners have cleared weeds and cut overgrown grass on their lots. This is the first time Sonoma County is doing defensible space inspections in partnership with local fire districts to make sure that firefighters can best protect…

Experts Showcase Fire Resistant Building Materials

As we head into summer, homeowners are looking for ways to protect their properties from wildfire. KRCB's Adia White attended an event at the Santa Rosa Junior College Training Center hosted by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. The highlight of the event was a demonstration burn…

Civilians Who Tested Agent Orange Now Sick, Dying: Podcast

This year, our news team won three awards from the Public Media Journalists Association, formerly known as PRNDI. This week, we’re highlighting those stories. Living Downstream: The Environmental Justice Podcast, won first place in its category. In this excerpt, Reporter Jon Kalish talks to the…

Firing Forests to Save Them: Could Native Traditions Save Lives?

When we imagined a podcast about environmental justice – it was before the Tubbs fire here in Sonoma County – and the deadly fire seasons of 2017 and 2018. Even so, we wouldn’t have thought of Indians and their relationship to fire as a matter of environmental justice. But producers Allison Herrera…

Why Food Reformers Have Mixed Feelings About Eco-Labels

Dan Charles June 12, 2019 Hear this Morning Edition Story Take a walk through the grocery story; the packages are talking to you, proclaiming their moral virtue, appealing to your ideals: organic, cage-free, fair trade. When I dug into the world of eco-labels recently, I was surprised to find that…

Living Downstream: The Klamath Water Wars

This is the story of a 15-year conflict over what would be the biggest dam removal ever, a modern cowboys and Indians tale that shows how victories for Native American rights still come with fits of racism and armed conflict, and how rural folks learned to make peace (and collaborate on an…

Against All Odds, Paradise Students Graduate on Home Campus

Around two hundred graduates walked across the Paradise High football field on Thursday night. They were all smiles and laughter, proving that the Camp Fire couldn’t take this long-awaited moment away. KRCB’s Adia White has the story. (Image: Senior Sofia DiBenedetto lines up for graduation.…

Grist Finds Link Between Pollution and Infant Death in San Bernardino

The online shopping economy appears to be having a deadly impact on children’s health in San Bernardino County. A new investigation by Grist Magazine reveals that high rates of infant mortality there may be linked to smog emitted by diesel trucks transporting goods. KRCB News Director Steve Mencher…

Citizen Input Sought for Santa Rosa's Future

In 2009, Santa Rosa created a state-mandated plan that looked ahead to the year 2035. The plan made certain assumptions, and was created to optimize the city’s chance to thrive. That was before the annexation of Roseland, and before the fires of two years ago. Now, the process has begun again, with…

KRCB TV Highlights the Wine Industry’s Unsung Heroes

From the history of the region to the people behind the scenes, there are many untold stories about winemaking in the North Bay. In the Independent Lens documentary: Harvest Season, we celebrate the often unsung Latinos at the heart of the Napa Valley wine industry. In the short documentary, Dry…

Local Activists Bring Green New Deal Principles to Sonoma

Environmental activists and concerned community members rallied at a town hall last week to discuss options for confronting climate change. The event was hosted by several local non-profits and focused on encouraging attendees to become more engaged in Sonoma County politics. KRCB’s Adia White has…

Hope for Sonoma's Coast; Other Calif. Areas Under Siege

On May 15, Sonoma County residents concerned about climate change and the economy will get together in Santa Rosa to talk about the Green New Deal. We’ll have that story next week. Meanwhile, a few weeks ago, we spoke with a champion of the Sonoma County coast – an activist who has been raising the…

Sonoma County Activists Address Climate Change at Town Hall

Local environmental activists are coming together for a town hall tonight to discuss options for confronting climate change. The event is hosted by several local non-profits and will focus on rallying support for the “Green New Deal.” Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others introduced…

FEMA Hosts Disaster Preparedness Symposium in Santa Rosa

According to FEMA, the City of Santa Rosa has rebuilt quickly compared with other cities hit by major disasters. FEMA held its emergency preparedness symposium, "Prep Talks," in Santa Rosa last week to highlight the city’s efforts. It was only the second time the event has been held outside of…

Fishermen Cautiously Optimistic About Salmon Season Forecast

It won’t be long until we start seeing our local Sonoma coast salmon at the supermarkets. Scientists and officials are deciding when to open the commercial salmon season at the Pacific Fishery Management Council in Rohnert Park this week. KRCB reporter Adia White tells us what factors go into…

Guerneville Businesses Work to Reopen A Month After Flood

It’s been nearly a month since Guerneville and other towns along the Russian River endured the most severe flooding in over a decade. The County of Sonoma estimated that over 500 businesses were affected by the flood. Reporter Adia White went to downtown Guerneville Monday to find out how some of…

Living Downstream Preview: Birth of Environmental Justice

Our current episode of Living Downstream: The Environmental Justice Podcast brings together a pair of storytellers. Jereann King Johnson was a witness in the early 1980s when PCBs were dumped in Warren County, North Carolina. Coproducer Joe O’Connell says the area has long been a retreat from…

Living Downstream Visits Birthplace of Environmental Justice

This story comes from Warren County, North Carolina. In the early 1980s, Warren County became a flash point in the fight for something that didn’t have a commonly used name at the time: environmental justice. These days, members of this small, “majority-minority” community are taking new approaches…

Landslide Threatens Several Homes in Forestville

The sun came out Monday and local residents enjoyed one of the most beautiful days of winter this year. It’s an important time to remember that many are still struggling to recover from the heavy rainfall and flooding two weeks ago. KRCB’s Adia White visited a small community in Forestville last…

Rep. Huffman Tours Barlow in Sebastopol Following Flood

The Barlow, an upscale shopping district in Sebastopol, home to breweries, restaurants, food shops and stores concentrating on arts and crafts, was hit hard by flooding last week. A sophisticated flood control plan at the Barlow failed to protect stores, several of which suffered devastating…

Santa Rosa Declares Local Emergency; No Worry Yet on Water

We talked with Joseph Schwall, Interim Deputy Director of Subregional Operations for the Santa Rosa Water Department at the Llano Road treatment plant to get to the bottom of rumors that raw sewage had been released from the plant in the recent storms. He said this was not at all true, and that our…

2019 Knight Media Forum Live Stream

Watch the live stream of the 2019 Knight Media Forum on February, 26 and 27 hosted by Hari Sreenivasan of the PBS NewsHour. The Knight Media Forum is the most important annual gathering of journalists, funders, information theorists and others interested in the future of the news media in this…

Northern Elephant Seals Take Over Drake's Beach at Point Reyes

Every year in the winter, the Northern Elephant Seal makes the California coast its home to breed and raise its young.This year, one colony at Point Reyes National Seashore is doing something researchers haven’t seen before. Reporter Adia White has the story. (Image Right: A young male Elephant…

Local Agencies Address Flood Control on Russian River

Winter storms are taking a toll on River Road near Geyserville. On Tuesday, The county authorized 250,000 dollars as an emergency fix. In the midst of all the rain, Reporter Adia White travelled to Lake Sonoma to learn about what local agencies are doing to mitigate the risk of flooding on the…

'Zero Waste' on KRCB TV in the North Bay - Jan 22; We Revisit Radio Report

January 22 at 9 pm on KRCB TV 22, we present the film "Racing to Zero: In Pursuit of Zero Waste." This "film festival favorite" examines San Francisco's attempt to change the city's approach to garbage, diverting 100 percent of its waste away from landfills. The private company at the forefront of…

Living with Lead: 'Like Crabs in a Barrel'

Today we’re concluding the previews of our podcast Living Downstream. Producers Annie Ropeik and Nicholas Janzen bring us the story of a public housing project in East Chicago, Indiana. It was built on a lead-and-arsenic polluted Superfund site. Residents like Keisha Daniels were left in limbo…

Living Downstream Preview: Tour Uncovers Richmond Poisons

This week we’re previewing “Living Downstream,” our Environmental Justice Podcast. Today, a story from Richmond, Calif. Reporter Claire Schoen calls this episode “Smackdown: City Hall versus Big Oil.” Her guide to Richmond is community organizer Andrés Soto, who leads a “Toxic Tour” through town.…

Native Fire Practices Can Make Communities Safer

During this holiday season, we’re going to be presenting excerpts from Living Downstream: The Environmental Justice Podcast. Northern California Public Media launched the project this fall – and we’ve got a collection of stories that we believe is unrivaled on the subject of environmental justice.…

Community Health Workers Help Gain Environmental Justice

As the year ends, the North Bay Report is featuring excerpts from our new series Living Downstream: The Environmental Justice Podcast. This time, news director and senior producer of the podcast, Steve Mencher, talks with reporter Ruxandra Guidi. She recounts her decade-long exploration of life for…

Emerald Cup Draws Cannabis Experts, Entrepreneurs and Fans

Despite the rain, about 27,000 people came out for the Emerald Cup this weekend. It’s Northern California’s celebration of cannabis and cannabis culture. But in addition to the revelry, it’s also a business conference of sorts. KRCB News Director Steve Mencher and reporter Adia White talk about…

Emerald Cup Prize to Willie Nelson, Others Enjoy Legal Smoke

The Emerald Cup is a harvest festival, trade show, and celebration of outdoor sustainably grown cannabis. It brings together farmers from the famed Emerald Triangle, with their cousins in Sonoma and surrounding counties. The event Saturday and Sunday sent us to the dictionary to see if the festival…

North Bay Residents Offer Hope, Aid to Camp Fire Evacuees

Thousands of people from Butte County remain displaced due to the Camp Fire. Though some evacuations in the town of Paradise were lifted, much of the area is still under an evacuation order. Some Sonoma County residents have decided to help by hosting evacuees free of charge in their Airbnbs.…

Santa Rosa Hosts 2018 California Economic Summit

Santa Rosa hosted the 2018 California Economic Summit on November 15th and 16th. Policy makers, business leaders and others came from across California to talk about how to improve the state’s economy and residents' quality of life. KRCB reporter Adia White has more on the innovative ideas shared…

Climate Summit Contest: Unlikely Company Wins Funding

This fall, Califormia Governor Jerry Brown and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg were among the leaders convening an international climate action summit in San Francisco. Their goal was to let the world know that despite President Donald Trump's wish to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris…

Displaced Camp Fire Evacuees Consider What Comes Next

At least 56 people have been killed in the Camp Fire burning in Butte County. The fire is now 140,000 acres and 40 percent contained. Thousands of evacuees are still displaced from the fire and many are unsure of how to move forward. KRCB’s Adia White has this report on the recovery effort. The…

Poor Air Quality Poses Health Hazard for Workers

Firefighters continue to battle the Camp Fire burning in Butte County, which is now at 135,000 acres and 35 percent contained. Air quality conditions throughout the North Bay remain poor due to the smoke. Reporter Adia White has more on the health implications for Sonoma County residents. Alejandro…

Grape Stomping Ushers in the Harvest Season

We are continuing our coverage of this year’s grape harvest. In the second part of this series, KRCB reporter Adia White tells us how grapes are processed after they are picked. At the Old World Winery in Santa Rosa, they are juiced by the traditional method of grape stomping. It takes around an…

Grape Harvest Underway Across the North Bay

The grape harvest is underway across our region. KRCB Reporter Adia White went to pick grapes with the crew at Santa Rosa's Old World Winery during their second harvest of the year. This winery's approach is a bit unconventional. The view from the vineyards. Photo Credit: Adia White Darek…

Preview: Living Downstream Addresses Environmental Justice

Here's a preview of our 12-part podcast, featuring stories from California and the rest of the country (and the world). We're doing a deep dive on environmental justice issues. The timing couldn't be better, as the media is now turning its attention to this issue with full force. Most recently, the…

North Bay Farm Shows Some Agriculture Can Help the Earth

The Global Climate Action Summit just concluded last week in San Francisco. One of the topics brought up, was severe habitat loss across the State of California. According to the University of California Davis, over a quarter of California’s land mass is used for agriculture. This leaves little…

Gov. Jerry Brown Blasts Trump on Climate Change at SF Summit

By Caryl Hart In a press briefing at the opening of the Global Climate Action Summit, California Governor Jerry Brown and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the America’s Pledge Campaign. The plan aims to keep American states, cities and corporations on track to reduce…

Global Climate Summit Update: Protecting Forests, People

by Caryl Hart The Global Climate Action Summit got off to a strong start on September 12, with a number of announcements on worldwide agreements to reduce emissions and funnel money to the protection of forests and indigenous people. Thousands of delegates and media from all over the world are in…

Mendocino Company Markets Wild Seaweed as a Healthy Snack

The Mendocino Sea Vegetable Company is working to make seaweed a dinner staple. Alice Woelfle reports on how this unusual type of vegetable is actually good for your health. You can hear Woelfle's orginial report on KZYX. Bullwhip Kelp is one type of seaweed found on the California coast. Credit:…

Climate Summit Takes Over San Francisco

by Caryl Hart Climate change is widely acknowledged as one of the most pressing problems in the world today. The Global Climate Action Summit, September 12-14 in San Francisco, will gather together thousands of those committed to addressing this threat. (Photo: Indigenous groups march for climate…

North Bay Residents March for Climate, Jobs and Justice

Governor Jerry Brown is hosting the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco this week. On Saturday over 30,000 people marched to San Francisco’s Civic Center to voice their hopes for climate action ahead of this week’s summit. Reporter Adia White followed a group of North Bay residents to the…

Monarchs and Milkweed: Giving Butterflies a Boost

Monarch butterflies, those gorgeous creatures with the “stained glass” bodies, have been in decline for years, largely because it’s hard for larvae to find food. At a recent farmers market in Ukiah, reporter Sarah Reith spoke with advocates for the Monarchs about how to improve their chances of…

Hopland Research Center in Mendocino Uses Fire as Learning Experience

Prescribed burn of chaparral at the Hopland Center. Such burns lessen the impact of wildfires. Photo by Evett KilmartinTwo-thirds of the more than 5,000 acre Hopland Research and Extension Center was scorched in the River Fire last week. Reporter Sarah Reith of KZYX in Mendocino County ventured…

Hopland Research Center in Mendocino Uses Fire as Learning Experience

Prescribed burn of chaparral at the Hopland Center. Such burns lessen the impact of wildfires. Photo by Evett KilmartinTwo-thirds of the more than 5,000 acre Hopland Research and Extension Center was scorched in the River Fire last week. Reporter Sarah Reith of KZYX in Mendocino County ventured…

Environment, Immigration Top Issues for Latinos

Immigration is a top political concern for Latino voters in California, but a new poll finds that environmental issues are equally important to them. The Public Policy Institute of California's recent poll of California voters finds that: A majority of likely voters (56%) say the candidates’…

Our Friends, the Bats

All the flying mammals in the world are bats: the pollinators, the blood-sippers, and the insect-eaters.

Hiking Resources

The Official Sonoma County Parks Hiking Guide: Sonoma County's Regional Parks The Top 50 Long Distance Hiking Trails in the U.S.A.: Top 50 U.S. Hiking Trails Check out this cool interactive map of local trails: Hiking Trails Interactive Map If you have a yen to get away from it all, strap a pack on…

Stories of the Coast

Stories of the Coast: How the California Coast Was Saved November 6th marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the California Coastal Commission - established by a voter initiative in 1972. As a result, the California coastline is considered the public’s land - the beaches and bluffs are…

Living Downstream

Northern California Public Media presents Living Downstream: The Environmental Justice Podcast, produced in association with the NPR One mobile app. Living Downstream explores environmental justice in communities from California to Indonesia and is hosted by former NorCal Public Media News Director…

Orcas' protection is endangered, too

Protection for endangered orcas or "killer whales" off the Pacific Coast may be about to disappear. Lori Abbot reports.

Glassy-winged sharpshooter a continuing threat to grape industry

Anaheim boasted a thriving wine industry in the late 1800s, before an unnamed affliction killed 40,000 acres of the grapevines and put 50 wineries out of business. The problem was later found to have been Pierce's disease of grapevines. Would Anaheim be wine country today if it weren't for Pierce's…

Expressions Sonoma County

Explore the epic beauty and exciting opportunities we can all discover, just around the bend, in these stories about the people and places of Sonoma County, California. Hiking Trails

What People Are Saying

What People Are Saying about Rebels With a Cause REBELS WITH A CAUSE is really moving out into the world – thanks in large part to your help. Please take a minute to bask in the warm light of these comments from four screenings that took place over this past weekend. And take a look at the schedule…

Master Gardeners recycle Styrofoam

Styrofoam — referring generically to #6 expanded polystyrene foam — is a disposal headache. Extremely bulky, yet lightweight, it takes up space in the waste stream (and in landfills), but its removal doesn't add much value to what is known as "diversion numbers."In 1989, California Assembly Bill…

Two Sides Unite for a Healthier Pacific Ocean

In California, the adage goes, "Whiskey's for drinking and water's for fighting." Often that goes for the coastal oceans, as well as inland waterways. But not always. Lori Abbot reports on a current cooperative effort. At right: Volunteer recreational angler Ken Yuen and CCFRP scientist Jahnava…

Christmas Bird Count

The popular holiday song counts swans, geese, French hens, Turtle Doves and, of course, that partridge. Meanwhile, birders across California are out in the wild, counting everything they see flying past. Lori Abbot has more. The peregrine falcon was once on the federal list of endangered and…

$1 Million Grant Funds Future Mark West Park

Sonoma County Regional Parks has received $1 million from the California River Parkways Program to help purchase 297 acres in the Mark West Creek watershed for a future regional park and open space preserve. The grant is among 33 statewide announced this week by the California Natural Resources…

California Puts a Price on Carbon

The California Air Resources Board officials are calling the state's first-ever cap-and-trade carbon auction a success. And, as Lori Abbot reports, it could be an important milestone for California as a leader in the global clean tech market. At right: A gasifier at Sierra Energy transforms waste…

West Coast Salmon Show Up in East Coast Courtroom

The federal government (National Marine Fisheries Service) and wildlife conservation groups are aligned in in a battle over pesticide use, with the latest round in a Virginia courtroom. NMFS wants to require no-spray buffer zones around waterways where salmon and steelhead live and migrate, for…

Death Valley Celebrates Halloween

Halloween has special meaning for California's Death Valley, but it has nothing to do with spooks and spirits. Lori Abbot explains what the day's observance is really about.

Water Supply Leak Contained

A leak in a major water supply line to Santa Rosa ran for approximately five hours Monday afternoon, before it was repaired.Drinking water was released at a rate of 10-gallons per minute during that time. According to the Sonoma County Water Agency, the chlorinated water was contained in a field…

Red Cross Wildfire App Released

The American Red Cross has released its official Wildfire App, putting lifesaving information directly into the hands of people who live in or who visit wildfire prone areas. This free app—available in English or Spanish—is for use on both iPhone and Android platforms. Given numerous fires in the…

Anti-Fracking Suit Filed

An environmenta; group has sued to stop he controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, widely known as "fracking," in California. Lori Abbot has the story,

Hefty Fines, Penalties for Mendocino County Abalone Poachers

A convicted abalone poacher who was sentenced recently to probation and a fine also lost his ability to get a California fishing license for the rest of his life. Paul Chak Po Mak, 62, of Oakland, was arrested and cited by Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens after taking more than the bag…

Agriculture and Climate Change

There is no doubt that climate change will have serious and widespread impacts on agriculture throughout California. New state legislation is intended to assist farmers in coping with those changes. Lori Abbot reports. At right: Three generations of Burroughs family farmers walking their…

California's honeypot, from cradle to grave

As October begins, pollination season has largely ended and many commercial beehives are having their harvested. Now for the first time, beekeepers have a new tool to track just how much energy their efforts take, and the amount of greenhouse gases those efforts emit. With growing consumer interest…

Monitoring Marine Protected Areas

Now that California has officially designated a series of offshore coastal areas as Marine Protected Areas, the state needs to monitor them. Lori Abbot has this report on how that's being done. At right, an underwater fish survey in progress. Photo courtesy of Reef Check California.

Growing more than veggies in California school gardens

by Aubrey White Lately, I’ve seen the familiar signs of back-to-school. The school bus noisily pulls away from my neighbor’s house before the sun has fully risen. The neighborhood kids are inside a bit earlier in the evening (probably to finish that pesky homework), and I see throngs of students…

Sonoma Compost Wins Small Green Business Award

Sonoma Compost was one of the three winners of Green America's first quarterly "People & Planet" award, which recognizes America's best green, small businesses.The others were: Green Kid Crafts of Anchorage, Alaska, and Raleigh City Farm from Raleigh, North Carolina. Each of three winners, who were…

1st Russian River Chinook of 2012 Captured on Video

An underwater fish monitoring video camera located near a fish ladder in the Russian River recorded the first 2012 Chinook salmon on September 5th. That pioneering fish is the first of thousands that are expected to enter the Russian River watershed this season, in a year that shows promise for…

Judge Restricts Spraying for Light Brown Apple Moth

A Superior Court judge has approved a controversial statewide pesticide plan to control the Light Brown Apple Moth. Health and environmental groups argue the plan involves applying harmful and untested pesticides in order to control a minor agricultural pest that has not been proven to damage…

Local Organizations Form Russian River Science Panel

A group of local water suppliers and agricultural and watershed organization have established the Russian River Independent Science Review Panel, an effort to establish a sound scientific basis for future water supply and watershed management decision making in the Russian River. The new Panel will…

U.S. EPA Releases San Francisco Bay Delta Action Plan to Address Toxins and Stressors that Harm Fish

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released an Action Plan that proposes seven measures for improving water quality, restoring aquatic habitat, and improving the management of the San Francisco Bay Delta Estuary. The release of the Action Plan follows the agency’s analysis concluding that…

Forest lands may benefit from active restoration after wildfire

In the many forested areas where wildfires are currently burning, the question will soon arise: What should be done after the fire goes out? That depends on the severity of the burn and land owner goals. 100% tree mortality caused by the August, 2007 Angora Fire near Lake TahoeFor high severity…

Sea Otter Census Released

A USGS report released today finds a slow recovery for California's sea otters. After several years of declining numbers, advocacy groups were hoping to see a reversal of that trend. Lori Abbott tells us what the numbers showed. Photo credit: Cindy Tucey KRCB's North Bay Report examined the threats…

Researchers Determine That Mineral Can Reduce Pollution From Diesel Engines

Engineers at a company co-founded by a University of Texas at Dallas professor have identified a material that can reduce the pollution produced by vehicles that run on diesel fuel. The material, from a family of minerals called oxides, could replace platinum, a rare and expensive metal that is…

Poisons on public lands put wildlife at risk

Rat poison used on illegal marijuana farms may be sickening and killing the fisher, a rare forest carnivore that makes its home in some of the most remote areas of California, according to a team of researchers led by University of California, Davis, veterinary scientists. Researchers discovered…

New National Park?

While California's State Parks struggle to keep their gates open and provide b basic services to visitors, there is a move underway to upgrade one of the National Monuments in the state into a full-fledged National Park, Lori Abbot reports.

California Creates Nation's First Statewide Underwater Park System

The California Fish and Game Commission has voted to adopt a network of Marine Protected Areas for northern California, including one that lies offshore from Point Reyes. The historic vote marks the completion of the United States' first statewide network of underwater parks. From the California…

Burn Local--The campaign against importing firewood

Camping season is officially underway. This summer, while visiting the outdoor recreation areas you love, do your part to protect California by buying and burning local firewood. “Campfires are an essential part of camping for most of us,” says Don Owen, chairman of the California Firewood Task…

GMOs on the ballot next fall?

A ballot measure requiring the labeling of genetically modified foods has taken a big step forward, while funding priorities for the California State University system are also expected to be affected by the November election.

Snow growth and slow growth

What do the Sierra snowpack and the state’s economy have in common? There is less to both than Californians would like.

Toxins at your fingertips

The latest hazard to women’s health may be right at their fingertips.

Lake Tahoe water clarity improved in 2011

The clarity of Lake Tahoe's water improved in 2011, but overall has remained nearly stable since 2000, according to UC Davis scientists who study the lake. The latest data released by the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency reported the average annual…

Stewards Proposes Operating Agreement for Austin Creek and Sonoma Coast

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, a Sonoma County non-profit that has long provided interpretation, restoration and other services, has applied to the California State Parks Department to assume responsibility for operating Austin Creek State Recreation Area (currently on the closure list) and…

New 554-acre Bohemia Ecological Preserve created near Occidental

Two Sonoma County nonprofit conservation groups, Sonoma Land Trust and LandPaths, have announced the creation of a new 554-acre nature preserve on the Bohemia Ranch located between Occidental and Monte Rio near Camp Meeker. The forested land adjacent to the famous Bohemian Grove contains a…

Habitat Restoration and Enhancement at Copeland Creek

Conservation Corps North Bay (CCNB) is restoring the segment of Copeland Creek from Commerce Blvd to upstream of Snyder Lane in Rohnert Park. The work is being done in partnership with the Sonoma County Water Agency through grant funding from the California Natural Resources Agency, This project…

UC wildlife research team seeks single socks

A University of California wildlife research team working in the Sierra Nevada is asking the public to donate clean, gently used socks for research on a rare weasel called the Pacific fisher. The team is part of the Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project (SNAMP), which is examining the effects…

A Lone Wolf Travels Toward California

A single gray wolf has been reported wandering in southern Oregon. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, this animal is a 2 ½ year old male formerly from a pack in northeast Oregon. Since the animal has been collared with a GPS device that periodically transmits its location,…

Growing Wine in Northern California - A Sustainable Natural Resource or the Next Boom to Bust?

INCENTIVES FOR HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY INCREASED

Sonoma County homeowners are now eligible for rebates of up to 100% for Energy Analysis services. In addition, rebates up to $6,000 are now available for some home energy efficiency upgrades. These new incentives were announced Oct. 27 by the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP), and…

Vision for Greenway to Spring Lake

Final AIA Report to be Presented at a Community Meeting December 3 in Santa Rosa The Southeast Greenway Campaign Committee has received the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) report: Imagine…A Greenway to Spring Lake and Beyond. It offers a provocative, conceptual vision for the old Highway…

Equine Herpes Virus Update

There have been a series of new cases of equine herpes virus in California over the last several weeks, in Tuolumne, San Joaquin and Sonoma counties. Locally, there was a single confirmed case in Sonoma County, which was quickly identified and quarantined until the risk of contagion had…

TRIBES JOIN CEREMONY TO RETURN NATIVE SALMON TO EEL RIVER

Loleta, Calif. – The Wiyot Tribe and Friends of the Eel River (FOER) were joined by Native American Indian tribes from throughout Northern California in a prayer ceremony Saturday focused on returning the Eel River and the fisheries it supports to a healthy, sustainable state. This event follows…

Documentary revisits agriculture’s “bracero” program

Shedding light on the current debate over immigration reform and the use of "guest workers" in American agriculture, Harvest of Loneliness is a historical documentary examines what was known as the Bracero Program--a system put in place from 1942 to 1964 to recruit Mexican farm laborers for…

A Garden Grows in Downtown Santa Rosa

I drove past the new sculpture garden at the Sonoma County Museum several times during its construction and finally my curiosity got the better of me. A few days ago, early on a weekday afternoon, I stopped to take a look around. The Sculpture Garden was created on land adjacent to the museum, a…

North Bay Water Projects win State Funding

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has announced final approval for integrated water management funding including $8.2 million for the North Coast region and $30.1 million for the Bay Area region. The North Coast plan designates $1 million for the Sonoma County Water Agency’s…

New management plan for Russian River's mouth approved

Final Estuary Management Project Environmental Review Certified and Project Approved On August 16, the Sonoma County Water Agency Board of Directors (Board) certified an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approved a project to change the way the Russian River estuary is managed between May 15…

The Inside Story of California's Spring Storm Disaster

Just how bad was that storm last March? California's Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) has just released a compelling 9-minute documentary that tells the story of this year's spring storm and flooding. The video, embedded below, shows how a persistent low pressure system parked itself over the…

Sonoma County's Climate Protection Campaign Announces Ride-Share Initiative

The Climate Protection Campaign has just released a new video explaining their work and unveiling a new initiative to help achieve Sonoma County's goal of dropping emmissions levels to 25% below 1990 levels by 2015. The Campaign is leading efforts to create a sustainable local model for energy…

Bird Stories Sought

Denise Cadman, a biologist and educator working for the City of Santa Rosa and a long time supporter of the Laguna Foundation, is requesting your stories and art for a Laguna Bird Anthology project. If you would consider contributing or want to know more about the project please read her invitation…

Spare The Air Alert Issued for June 21

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued this year’s first Spare the Air Health Alertfor tomorrow, Tuesday, June 21. There is no free transit tomorrow and there is no wood burning ban in place. Everyone is encouraged to drive less and reduce their energy use. “Pollution in our air…

Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner "What's New" Update

You are subscribed to the What's New page for the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner. This information has recently been updated, and is now available: Funding Available for Farmers Combating EGVM – Application period extended through July 1, 2011! Update your subscriptions, modify your…

Around the Bay

The San Francisco Bay is a great natural treasure— The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) is charged with keeping it safe. In 2010, KRCB is presenting the history and future of our beloved Bay in a new series called “Around the Bay with Will Travis,” who is the…

Hike Pomo Canyon to Shell Beach, Jenner

Photo credit: Paul Bausch One of the best hikes in Sonoma County, the Pomo Canyon to Shell Beach hike offers a little bit of everything, from towering redwoods to pounding surf, from ferny dells to ridge-top vistas. TRAILS TO TAKE: Moderate to strenuous. This gorgeous 6-mile hike offers wildflowers…

Hike Healdsburg Ridge Trail

Photo credit: City of Healdsburg (top) and Nancy Lorenz (bottom right and left) Throughout this beautiful property you’ll find breathtaking views of the Mayacamas, Fitch Mountain, Lake Sonoma Basin, coastal range and the Russian River. Situated right on the urban edge of Healdsburg, trails wander…

Hike Armstrong Woods

Photo credit: Carlos Chavez (top and middle) and Bob Dyer (bottom right and left). Located just outside the Russian River town of Guerneville, this 805-acre park features a magnificent grove of ancient redwoods and a variety of hikes that will take you from ferny redwood groves to oak- and…

Hike Jack London State Park, Glen Ellen

Located a few miles off Highway 12, near the small town of Glen Ellen, Jack London State Historic Park is a memorial to writer and adventurer Jack London. Here's how he described the spot: “...there are great redwoods on it...also there are great ﬁrs, tanbark oaks, live oaks, white oaks, black…

Hike Santa Rosa Creek/Prince Memorial Greenway Trail

An urban oasis, the Santa Rosa Creek/Prince Memorial Greenway Trail runs west along Santa Rosa Creek from downtown Santa Rosa to Fulton Road. A lovely meandering creek, whispering shade trees, migratory birds calling among the rushes, what could be better! The trail is paved from downtown to Fulton…

Hike Schollenberger Park, Petaluma

Photo credit: Carlos Chavez (top and middle) and Bob Dyer (bottom right and left). Shollenberger Park in southeastern Petaluma is a 16-acre wetland bordered by Adobe Creek and the Petaluma River. Level paths—some paved, some gravel—wind among diked ponds, ample marshlands and open fields. This is a…

Sonoma County Hiking Trails

In Spring 2010, KRCB Expressions produced a series of video shorts about Sonoma County Trails. So come on, get out there. Like the man said, "The worst day outdoors beats the best day indoors." Schollenberger Park Petaluma Prince Memorial Greenway Trail Santa Rosa Jack London State Park Sonoma…

Sonoma County Bike Trails

In Spring 2009, KRCB Expressions produced a series of video shorts about Sonoma County Bike Trails. So come on, get out there. Like the man said, "The worst day outdoors beats the best day indoors." Helen Putnam Park Trail Petaluma Brush Creek Trail Santa Rosa Howarth Park / Spring Lake Santa Rosa…

Seeking Completion Funds

World Premiere: Mill Valley Film Festival REBELS WITH A CAUSE narrated by Frances McDormand Mill Valley Film Festival (laurels) Saturday - October 6 - 6:15 PM - Sequoia Theater Mill Valley, CA Tuesday - October 9 - 4:00 PM - Rafael Film Center San Rafael, CA We advice buying your tickets in…

Rebels With A Cause Preview

Watch the trailer, spread the word!

Support Rebels With A Cause

Donate Now and support Rebels With A Cause KRCB invites your participation in bringing this important local story to the National PBS audience. Rebels With A Cause is currently in production. Pledge your financial support to bring this project to light and remind everyone just how close we have…

Rebels With A Cause Contributors

Rebels With A Cause Contributors Kelly+Yamamoto Productions Nancy Kelly, Writer, Producer, Director and Kenji Yamamoto, Producer, Editor Nancy Kelly and Kenji Yamamoto made Smitten, a documentary thatenters the world of Napa Valley’s Rene di Rosa, an unusual art collector whose goal is neither…

Rebels With A Cause Story

Rebels With A Cause (working title) Saving the Marin County Coast An hour long documentary by Nancy Kelly and Kenji Yamamoto Executive Produced by KRCB Public Television In the 1950s, the vision for the Marin County coast was all too familiar: the rural area would become an extension of San…

Rebels With A Cause

For full information visit: www.rebelsdocumentary.org Watch the Preview: Beginning in the 1950s, a national movement was born of principles that may seem obvious today. Unconvinced by land developers who promoted residential construction as unmitigated progress, citizens began banding together to…

Powering Up

InCA Productions and KRCB have partnered to produce 8 interstitial length programs focusing on local folks who have changed their energy use. The individuals and families share how, by changing their lives in simple and manageable ways, they have dramatically changed their energy usage. From…

Don't Throw That Away

Follow artist Lisa R. Fredenthal-Lee as she discovers materials the world casts away and invents techniques for making art from those materials. Episode One - Egg Flats Artist Lisa R. Fredenthal-Lee goes in search of egg flats and finds them at a local restaurant that specialized in what else eggs!…

Sonoma County Appellations

Sonoma County Appellations Series This series introduces viewers to Sonoma County California's wine country, a region long known for superior quality of its agricultural products. Today, the many appellations of Sonoma County are recognized as producing some of the world's finest wines. Alexander…

Coastal ranchlands protected

The California Coastal Conservancy has authorized spending up to $650,000 to acquire conservation and public access easements over the 495-acre Bordessa Ranch property on the Estero Americano in western Sonoma County. An additional $50,000 will go to to Sonoma County Regional Parks to develop a…

CritterCam