The Bay water board is proposing narrow five‑year extensions to the new 2034 nitrogen deadline for qualifying nature‑based and recycled‑water projects, raising questions about costs and oversight. Local pilots, like Palo Alto’s horizontal levee, show what the extra time might buy.

A 125‑acre former Orick sawmill has been reshaped into the 'O Rew Redwoods Gateway and will be returned to the Yurok Tribe after extensive floodplain and habitat restoration.

Fairfax closed Peri Park’s playground after officials found a "significant flea infestation." Town staff are weighing pesticide‑ordinance‑compliant treatments.

Monterey County agencies are weighing billion‑dollar projects to stop seawater intruding on the Salinas Valley aquifer and protect farms, wells and drinking water.

Passengers on a small boat off Moss Landing captured rare footage of orcas leaping and tossing dolphins during a dramatic hunt in Monterey Bay.

A sounder of wild pigs was filmed ripping up landscaping at a South San Jose tech park, leaving employees to clean up torn turf.

Several California national parks ban bear spray while Colorado parks explicitly allow and recommend it — a confusing split for hikers this summer.

Castello di Amorosa and Water Audit California reached a deal to monitor Nash Creek and step up well metering, prompting Napa County to pause a planning hearing. The study will collect creek data and require reporting to county planners.

Illegal fireworks damaged newly renovated basketball courts at Plata Arroyo Park, forcing a postponed ribbon-cutting while city crews assess repairs.

A 161‑acre gift will open a fenced‑off summit above Larkspur, adding the missing crown to King Mountain Preserve. County officials expect the transfer to be finalized this summer.

A judge dismissed neighbors' challenge to Petaluma's plan for Lafferty Ranch, clearing a legal hurdle for docent‑led access to the 270‑acre preserve.

A tiny American mink wandered into a Healdsburg yard and was rescued by animal control before being transferred to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue. Rehabilitators say the young mink will need time to recover and relearn hunting skills before it returns to the river.

A federal judge in Sacramento paused BLM’s plan to remove about 850 wild horses from three Northern California herd areas, saying the agency relied on flawed population assumptions. The injunction stops September gathers while the case proceeds.