Santa Cruz County Supervisor, District 5

Image: Kelp forest off the Central Coast. 

With new federal efforts to reopen offshore oil leasing — including in areas previously promised permanent protection — the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is taking a leadership role to defend our coastline, reviving the historic Outer Continental Shelf Local Government Coalition which halted offshore oil drilling along the California coast in the 1980s.

To lead this work, on June 24 the Board approved a contract with Richard Charter, the nationally recognized expert who coordinated California’s original local-government anti-drilling coalition. The city of Santa Cruz, Sonoma County, Marin County, and others are joining as partners to oppose new federal drilling proposals (see here for a full list). This united front is essential to move forward together to protect our coast, our economy, and lead efforts to fight climate change.

To learn more and sign up for updates on our rapid, coordinated response. Visit Save My Coast and join the mailing list. You can also submit a public comment on the proposal to the U.S. Department of the Interior until January 23.

Santa Cruz County Parks and CAL FIRE launched a collaborative effort to create a shaded fuel break at Miller Property County Park to reduce wildfire risk, strengthen community resilience, and improve forest health along Kings Creek Road in Boulder Creek.

A shaded fuel break is designed to reduce the intensity and spread of wildfire by selectively thinning small-diameter trees, removing ladder fuels, and pruning lower limbs while retaining the overall forest canopy. This approach slows fire behavior, improves defensible space along evacuation routes, and supports long-term forest restoration. Planned work at Miller Property will focus on thinning dense understory vegetation, removing dead or hazardous trees, and restoring a more open and fire-resilient forest structure.

The shaded fuel break will cover approximately 52 acres along Kings Creek Road, with treatments extending up to 300 feet on either side of the roadway. A 50-foot buffer will be maintained from Kings Creek to protect the riparian corridor. Work will be carried out by CAL FIRE engine crews during non-fire assignments and implemented over multiple field seasons under County Parks oversight.

Notice anything missing along Mt. Hermon Road? County crews recently removed 300 cubic feet of roadside trash. Most of this litter probably came from uncovered or improperly covered loads, but whether intentional or not, litter is a costly nuisance. Please help keep our community clean by taking the time to properly secure anything that could fall off, or blow out of, your vehicle. Or maybe encourage someone else to by giving the gift of a new tarp and tie downs this holiday season!

If you would like to volunteer at a local community clean up (or organize one in your neighborhood), reach out to Pitch In Santa Cruz. Thank you for helping keep our community trash free and beautiful.

End of Year Fundraiser: County Park Friends (the nonprofit partner to the County Parks Department) is hoping to raise $100,000 so everyone can access safe, vibrant parks, trails, and nature programs.

In the past six years, County Park Friends has raised and invested $5 million in eight major park projects and $3.25 million in programming, reaching over 32,000 individuals. Every dollar raised is invested here in Santa Cruz County. For more information and to donate, visit County Park Friends.

Volunteer with County Parks: Another great way to make a difference in your community is to volunteer with Santa Cruz County Parks. To kick off 2026, a volunteer event will be held on January 30 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 701 Ocean Street. Join others and make new friends while weeding, planting succulents, and mulching the front of the government center building. Gloves, tools, and refreshments provided. RSVP here.