Environment

A corridor maintained and paved by Kern County Firefighters winds up through the wilderness in the southeast portion of the ranch on Jan. 12, 2022. Other mountains are easily visible from the ranch, such as Cummings Mountains, pictured to the left. Photo by Julie Leopo for CalMatters

Rewilding California: New $65 million preserve straddles north and south

by Julie Cart January 20, 2022January 19, 2022

The 112-square-mile Randall Preserve — a gateway between LA and the San Joaquin Valley — provides a haven for wildlife and a living laboratory for scientists.

Sprinklers water a lawn in Sacramento on July 15, 2014. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Environment

No, California’s drought isn’t over. Here’s why.

by Rachel Becker January 4, 2022January 5, 2022

The Los Angeles Aqueduct Cascades in Sylmar, California in 2015. The aqueducts bring water 223 miles from the Owens River in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains, and 137 miles from the Haiwee Reservoir, and are a major source of water for Los Angeles. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Explainers

Danger in Droughtsville: California’s urban water at risk

by Erica Yee December 21, 2021December 16, 2021

Semi-trucks line up near Pier J to retrieve shipping containers at the Port of Long Beach on April 4, 2018. REUTERS/Bob Riha Jr.

Environment

Landmark California smog rules target lawn equipment, big rig trucks

by Rachel Becker December 9, 2021December 9, 2021

Water pours from a pipe before being connected to a water tank near Madera on June 10, 2021. Photo by Shae Hammond for CalMatters

Environment

Four San Joaquin Valley groundwater plans deemed inadequate

by Rachel Becker November 18, 2021November 18, 2021

Environment

Cars and trucks: How international climate promises compare to California’s mandates

by Rachel Becker November 10, 2021November 10, 2021

Migratory birds at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge complex in Willows on Oct. 6, 2021. Photo by Nina Riggio for CalMatters

Environment

Winged warning: Migrating birds hit hard by California’s drought

by Julie Cart November 10, 2021November 10, 2021

A logging truck is among burned trees, felled following the Rim fire, near Groveland, in 2014. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith california climate un

Environment

As UN tackles twin climate threats, California struggles with them, too

by Rachel Becker and Julie Cart November 5, 2021November 5, 2021

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to the press during a visit to Ruby Bridges Elementary School in Alameda on March 16, 2021. He suddenly announced today he won't attend the U.N. climate change conference. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Environment

What does it mean for Gov. Newsom to skip climate conference?

by Rachel Becker October 29, 2021October 29, 2021

Vehicles make their way through a flooded area of High Street near Interstate 880 in Oakland on Oct. 24, 2021. Experts say that extreme weather events such as the "bomb cyclone" will become more common with climate change. Photo by Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group

Environment

What’s at stake for California as climate conference begins?

by Rachel Becker October 28, 2021October 28, 2021