ARTICLES AND LETTERS
Riverfront Theater Building To Become Community Arts Center
The 418 Project, a local arts nonprofit organization, seeks to transform the downtown Santa Cruz space. See what their plans are.
Courtney Teague, Patch Staff
April 20, 2021
April 20, 2021
A local arts nonprofit plans to transform the shuttered Riverfront Theater in downtown Santa Cruz into a community arts center.
The 418 Project has bought the building and will turn it into its new headquarters. The nonprofit served 450 artists per year and attracted 50,000 participants each year, Executive Director Laura Bishop said in a statement.
With the new space, The 418 Project believes it can attract 160,000 visitors annually and serve more than 2,000 artists.
"It is hard to imagine a more exciting use of this space than to be reborn as a vibrant cultural and economic arts center which will enliven the streetscape and draw thousands of people to the river and this section of downtown," said Santa Cruz Mayor Donna Meyers. "This has long been a dream of many here today."
The 418 Project said it plans to transform theater spaces and temporarily resume community classes in the lobby. Architects also plan to link the building to Abbot Square and the Museum of Art History.
There will be spaces for crafters, events and meetings, artists and a green rooftop space for performances and gatherings overlooking the San Lorenzo River and Park, according to The 418 Project.
The 418 Project has bought the building and will turn it into its new headquarters. The nonprofit served 450 artists per year and attracted 50,000 participants each year, Executive Director Laura Bishop said in a statement.
With the new space, The 418 Project believes it can attract 160,000 visitors annually and serve more than 2,000 artists.
"It is hard to imagine a more exciting use of this space than to be reborn as a vibrant cultural and economic arts center which will enliven the streetscape and draw thousands of people to the river and this section of downtown," said Santa Cruz Mayor Donna Meyers. "This has long been a dream of many here today."
The 418 Project said it plans to transform theater spaces and temporarily resume community classes in the lobby. Architects also plan to link the building to Abbot Square and the Museum of Art History.
There will be spaces for crafters, events and meetings, artists and a green rooftop space for performances and gatherings overlooking the San Lorenzo River and Park, according to The 418 Project.
This is great for the San Lorenzo River birds
Santa Cruz Sentinel
Letters to the Editor
June 4, 2019
The City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department hired a qualified Biologist for their six weeks annual mowing time to survey the San Lorenzo River levee for nesting birds. Without a doubt, this is a most welcome approach because no mowing will take place around active nests that can be located on the ground, in crevices, low bushes and dead trees depending on the bird species. The Parks and Rec staff’s willingness to adjust to that mowing strategy is a win-win solution for the Feb. 1 to August 15 bird nesting season and the necessary maintenance work. The Park and Rec staff are showing commendable stewardship with this much celebrated birdfriendly practice. It will be exciting to see the areas that will be mowed later because currently, they are safely sheltering nesting bird parents.
— Jane Mio, Santa Cruz
Letters to the Editor
June 4, 2019
The City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department hired a qualified Biologist for their six weeks annual mowing time to survey the San Lorenzo River levee for nesting birds. Without a doubt, this is a most welcome approach because no mowing will take place around active nests that can be located on the ground, in crevices, low bushes and dead trees depending on the bird species. The Parks and Rec staff’s willingness to adjust to that mowing strategy is a win-win solution for the Feb. 1 to August 15 bird nesting season and the necessary maintenance work. The Park and Rec staff are showing commendable stewardship with this much celebrated birdfriendly practice. It will be exciting to see the areas that will be mowed later because currently, they are safely sheltering nesting bird parents.
— Jane Mio, Santa Cruz
1,000,000,000 Birds - Just Gone
Daily KOS
By Austin Bailey
Friday May 20, 2016 · 8:08 AM CDT
"The just released State of North America’s Birds report is grim reading. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of species population size and trends, ranges and threat severity the assessment reaches a stark conclusion.
A billion birds have disappeared from North America since 1970, and a third of bird species across the continent are threatened with extinction…
The first State of North America's Birds report finds that of 1,154 bird species that live in and migrate among Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, 432 are of "high concern" due to low or declining populations, shrinking ranges and threats such as human-caused habitat loss, invasive predators and climate change."
By Austin Bailey
Friday May 20, 2016 · 8:08 AM CDT
"The just released State of North America’s Birds report is grim reading. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of species population size and trends, ranges and threat severity the assessment reaches a stark conclusion.
A billion birds have disappeared from North America since 1970, and a third of bird species across the continent are threatened with extinction…
The first State of North America's Birds report finds that of 1,154 bird species that live in and migrate among Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, 432 are of "high concern" due to low or declining populations, shrinking ranges and threats such as human-caused habitat loss, invasive predators and climate change."
Restoring wetlands can lessen soil sinkage, greenhouse gas emissions
October 30, 2014
Dartmouth College
The rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide that contributed to the end of the last ice age more than 10,000 years ago did not occur gradually, but was characterized by three 'pulses' in which carbon dioxide rose abruptly.
Click HERE to read more
Dartmouth College
The rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide that contributed to the end of the last ice age more than 10,000 years ago did not occur gradually, but was characterized by three 'pulses' in which carbon dioxide rose abruptly.
Click HERE to read more
Nestling birds struggle in noisy environments
October 29,2014
Unable to fly, nestling birds depend on their parents for both food and protection: vocal communication between parents and offspring helps young birds to determine when they should beg for food and when they should crouch in the nest to avoid a predator seeking an easy meal. A group of researchers has found that ambient, anthropomorphic noise -- from traffic, construction and other human activities -- can break this vital communications link, leaving nestlings vulnerable or hungry.
Click HERE to read more.
Unable to fly, nestling birds depend on their parents for both food and protection: vocal communication between parents and offspring helps young birds to determine when they should beg for food and when they should crouch in the nest to avoid a predator seeking an easy meal. A group of researchers has found that ambient, anthropomorphic noise -- from traffic, construction and other human activities -- can break this vital communications link, leaving nestlings vulnerable or hungry.
Click HERE to read more.
September 14, 2014
In California drought, "pop-up" wetlands provide bird habitats
By Ellen Knickmeyer
The Associated Press
YUBA CITY, calif. — For the swirling flock of migrating shorebirds banking to a landing in California's Central Valley, a recently flooded rice field is providing a new kind of triage station during a drought that has drastically reduced places where they can rest on their long journeys.
The new arrivals to the field — hundreds of them — are dowitchers, said conservationist Greg Gulot, standing on a dirt berm and focusing his binoculars to identify a wading bird that is one of the first to fly south in an annual migration that brings 350 species to California's Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys.
With millions of birds on their way from the Arctic and subarctic and the drought cutting critical wetlands to as little as one-sixth, the field is one of the first to come on line this fall under a new program of "pop-up" habitats.
Click HERE to read more
By Ellen Knickmeyer
The Associated Press
YUBA CITY, calif. — For the swirling flock of migrating shorebirds banking to a landing in California's Central Valley, a recently flooded rice field is providing a new kind of triage station during a drought that has drastically reduced places where they can rest on their long journeys.
The new arrivals to the field — hundreds of them — are dowitchers, said conservationist Greg Gulot, standing on a dirt berm and focusing his binoculars to identify a wading bird that is one of the first to fly south in an annual migration that brings 350 species to California's Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys.
With millions of birds on their way from the Arctic and subarctic and the drought cutting critical wetlands to as little as one-sixth, the field is one of the first to come on line this fall under a new program of "pop-up" habitats.
Click HERE to read more
September 9, 2014
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29116412
Growing threat to American birds, says report
"Birds living on the coasts are faring no better. Almost half of all shorebird species, such as ruddy turnstones, red knots and piping plovers, are either endangered or at risk of becoming endangered."
"We need to keep common birds common," he says."
Growing threat to American birds, says report
"Birds living on the coasts are faring no better. Almost half of all shorebird species, such as ruddy turnstones, red knots and piping plovers, are either endangered or at risk of becoming endangered."
"We need to keep common birds common," he says."
August 14, 2014
State and Federal Wildlife Managers Preparing Habitat for Migrating Birds
August 14, 2014
Because habitat conditions on the northern breeding grounds have been good, a higher number of migratory birds have been reported across the Pacific Flyway. The fall migration into California is anticipated to result in numbers like those seen in the 1970s, when record numbers of birds made their way to the state’s wetlands areas. As California endures one of the worst droughts in recorded history, managers of state, federal and privately owned wildlife areas have been coordinating operational planning and the potential impacts of drought on the coming waves of migratory birds that depend on California habitats. To support these birds during their long migration, these efforts will greatly improve our ability to maximize habitat and food resources over the fall and winter with reduced water supplies.
Click HERE to read more.
Because habitat conditions on the northern breeding grounds have been good, a higher number of migratory birds have been reported across the Pacific Flyway. The fall migration into California is anticipated to result in numbers like those seen in the 1970s, when record numbers of birds made their way to the state’s wetlands areas. As California endures one of the worst droughts in recorded history, managers of state, federal and privately owned wildlife areas have been coordinating operational planning and the potential impacts of drought on the coming waves of migratory birds that depend on California habitats. To support these birds during their long migration, these efforts will greatly improve our ability to maximize habitat and food resources over the fall and winter with reduced water supplies.
Click HERE to read more.
June 16, 2014
This email was sent to Santa Cruz City officials and staff of the Coastal Watershed Council.
Subject: San Lorenzo River Wildlife Habitat Inclusion
To whom it may concern ~
In an effort to gain a clear understanding of the Coastal Watershed Council San Lorenzo Paddler Event permit procedure, I have e-mailed my concerns/questions to the various involved departments and SC City Council members (on 11/24/13, 2/11/14, 2/12/14, 3/14/14, and 4/28/14 . Dannettee Shoemaker replied with some available information. A lot of my questions remain unanswered. The addressed departments and all SC City Council members never responded.
My understanding of the process is anchored on what little information I have available.
The City of Santa Cruz is considering to revoke the 9.66.090 City ordinance regulation upon request by the CWC on the basis that recreational access was once permitted on the SLR. Revoking this City ordinance would be turning the clock back. Leaving the regulation in place is preserving what diverse river bird/ wildlife habitat exists in the SLR.
The San Lorenzo River area has been neglected by humans, which is not the case for the river birds and wildlife. It is obvious that there is a disconnect between the CWC Paddler Event (PE) pilot permit issuing and knowledge about what goes on in the SLR bird/wildlife habitat. The PE has been allowed during bird migratory, nesting and breeding season.
The City of Santa Cruz in conjunction with the Park & Rec. Dept has issued another CWC SLR Paddler Event permission for 6-21-14 from 5 to 8 pm.
The 6/21/14 CWC PE falls right into the time when SLR functions as a river bird nursery. The river is teaming with female Mallards and their tiny ducklings plus female Mergansers and their offspring. The juvenile Mallards, Mergansers, and Wood Ducks are foraging and too young to fly. The feathered mothers are on high alert to keep their broods safe and respond to any threat with quick avoidance maneuvers, which costs their brood high energy. There is no resting or foraging during agitated times. River bird families will be unable to avoid the paddlers, because their broods can’t fly and the mothers will stress.
Embracing the SLR should include wildlife knowledge, which doesn’t seem to be the case here. Should the City of Santa Cruz agencies/departments be indeed interested in pursuing the CWC request, then a Baseline SLR bird/wildlife study needs to be supplied by the City. This year long study will grant all sides a solid data base of the SLR habitat. This understanding/knowledge will help in the process of how to proceed with the CWC request in an inclusive manner. There has been a lot of energy, time, money, research applied towards SLR water quality, which is commendable. SLR fisheries have received SC City, State, Federal, and local volunteer support/attention/ research, which is laudable. Yet when it comes to the SLR birds and other wildlife species there is a big hole of no knowledge, research, time, money and effort. This condition should not be taken as a void to be ignored, but an opportunity to include all SLR birds/wildlife into the circle of water quality and fisheries.
Jane Mio
Subject: San Lorenzo River Wildlife Habitat Inclusion
To whom it may concern ~
In an effort to gain a clear understanding of the Coastal Watershed Council San Lorenzo Paddler Event permit procedure, I have e-mailed my concerns/questions to the various involved departments and SC City Council members (on 11/24/13, 2/11/14, 2/12/14, 3/14/14, and 4/28/14 . Dannettee Shoemaker replied with some available information. A lot of my questions remain unanswered. The addressed departments and all SC City Council members never responded.
My understanding of the process is anchored on what little information I have available.
The City of Santa Cruz is considering to revoke the 9.66.090 City ordinance regulation upon request by the CWC on the basis that recreational access was once permitted on the SLR. Revoking this City ordinance would be turning the clock back. Leaving the regulation in place is preserving what diverse river bird/ wildlife habitat exists in the SLR.
The San Lorenzo River area has been neglected by humans, which is not the case for the river birds and wildlife. It is obvious that there is a disconnect between the CWC Paddler Event (PE) pilot permit issuing and knowledge about what goes on in the SLR bird/wildlife habitat. The PE has been allowed during bird migratory, nesting and breeding season.
The City of Santa Cruz in conjunction with the Park & Rec. Dept has issued another CWC SLR Paddler Event permission for 6-21-14 from 5 to 8 pm.
The 6/21/14 CWC PE falls right into the time when SLR functions as a river bird nursery. The river is teaming with female Mallards and their tiny ducklings plus female Mergansers and their offspring. The juvenile Mallards, Mergansers, and Wood Ducks are foraging and too young to fly. The feathered mothers are on high alert to keep their broods safe and respond to any threat with quick avoidance maneuvers, which costs their brood high energy. There is no resting or foraging during agitated times. River bird families will be unable to avoid the paddlers, because their broods can’t fly and the mothers will stress.
Embracing the SLR should include wildlife knowledge, which doesn’t seem to be the case here. Should the City of Santa Cruz agencies/departments be indeed interested in pursuing the CWC request, then a Baseline SLR bird/wildlife study needs to be supplied by the City. This year long study will grant all sides a solid data base of the SLR habitat. This understanding/knowledge will help in the process of how to proceed with the CWC request in an inclusive manner. There has been a lot of energy, time, money, research applied towards SLR water quality, which is commendable. SLR fisheries have received SC City, State, Federal, and local volunteer support/attention/ research, which is laudable. Yet when it comes to the SLR birds and other wildlife species there is a big hole of no knowledge, research, time, money and effort. This condition should not be taken as a void to be ignored, but an opportunity to include all SLR birds/wildlife into the circle of water quality and fisheries.
Jane Mio
Paddling event comes at important nursery time
June 18, 2014 Sentinel
The Coastal Watershed Council is hosting another San Lorenzo River paddle event on Saturday, June 21. This event happens when the river functions as a nursery for the local river birds. The river is teaming with female mallards and their tiny ducklings plus female mergansers and their offspring. The juvenile mallards, mergansers and wood ducks are foraging and too young to fly. The feathered mothers are on high alert to keep their broods safe and respond to any threat with quick avoidance maneuvers, which costs their brood high energy. There is no resting, foraging during agitated times. River bird families will be unable to avoid the paddlers, because their broods can’t fly and the mothers will stress. Embracing the San Lorenzo River should include wildlife knowledge, which doesn’t seem to be the case here.
Jane Mio, Santa Cruz
The Coastal Watershed Council is hosting another San Lorenzo River paddle event on Saturday, June 21. This event happens when the river functions as a nursery for the local river birds. The river is teaming with female mallards and their tiny ducklings plus female mergansers and their offspring. The juvenile mallards, mergansers and wood ducks are foraging and too young to fly. The feathered mothers are on high alert to keep their broods safe and respond to any threat with quick avoidance maneuvers, which costs their brood high energy. There is no resting, foraging during agitated times. River bird families will be unable to avoid the paddlers, because their broods can’t fly and the mothers will stress. Embracing the San Lorenzo River should include wildlife knowledge, which doesn’t seem to be the case here.
Jane Mio, Santa Cruz
Preserve and Protect the San Lorenzo River?
Posted by Michael A. Lewis , May 13, 2014 at 11:33 AM
The Coastal Watershed Council hatched a "Pop-up Museum" Saturday in San Lorenzo Park, to further its goal of allowing personal watercraft on the river. The coordinator at the Museum of Art and History (MAH) for "Pop Up Museums" revealed that the event was originally suggested to the MAH by CWC's Greg Pepping.
According to the MAH web site: "This Pop Up Museum, held in collaboration with the Coastal Watershed Council, invites you to share your ideas, stories, and objects about the river, and contribute to a community wide conversation about the river’s place in Santa Cruz culture."
Click HERE to read more...
The Coastal Watershed Council hatched a "Pop-up Museum" Saturday in San Lorenzo Park, to further its goal of allowing personal watercraft on the river. The coordinator at the Museum of Art and History (MAH) for "Pop Up Museums" revealed that the event was originally suggested to the MAH by CWC's Greg Pepping.
According to the MAH web site: "This Pop Up Museum, held in collaboration with the Coastal Watershed Council, invites you to share your ideas, stories, and objects about the river, and contribute to a community wide conversation about the river’s place in Santa Cruz culture."
Click HERE to read more...