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Ear to the Ground

A Container Caper in Monterey Bay Photo NOAA/MBARI.

Ear to the Ground

A Container Caper in Monterey Bay

by Aleta George

On a stormy winter night in 2004, as the merchant ship Med Taipei plowed southbound off the coast of Monterey in 20- to 30-foot swells, 15 shipping containers slid into the sea. Such occurrences aren't especially newsworthy--an estimated 10,000 containers are lost every year worldwide. But these containers are now part of an important research project.

From the Oct-Dec 2011 issue
 Published October 01, 2011
Length: moderately-short

Trawling for Plastic in SF Bay

Ear to the Ground

Trawling for Plastic in SF Bay

by Aleta George

Researchers plan to head out this winter looking for micro-plastic in the Bay. Their first-ever trawl last winter turned up concentrations that actually weren’t as bad as some recorded in other waterways. But that might just mean we’re sending more plastic to the Pacific.

From the Oct-Dec 2011 issue
 Published October 01, 2011
Length: moderately-short

In Half Moon Bay, Three More Miles for Coastal Trail Photo by Avis Boutell.

Ear to the Ground

In Half Moon Bay, Three More Miles for Coastal Trail

by Aleta George

The Peninsula Open Space Trust has opened three more miles of the California Coastal Trail, which someday may run the entire 1,200-mile length of the coast. For now, there’s a great hike to be had between ocean cliffs and farm fields south of Half Moon Bay.

From the Oct-Dec 2011 issue
 Published October 01, 2011
Length: moderately-short

State of the Birds: People Are a Threat, and Promise Creative commons photo by Dan Pancamo.

Ear to the Ground

State of the Birds: People Are a Threat, and Promise

by Aleta George

A new report on the state of bird populations shows mixed results for Bay Area populations. People continue to be the biggest threat, with habitat loss and other pressures, and the biggest hope, in the form of major and minor restoration projects all around the Bay.

From the Oct-Dec 2011 issue
 Published October 01, 2011
Length: moderately-short

Marsh Restoration Running Aground Under Power Lines Photo by Aleta George.

Ear to the Ground

Marsh Restoration Running Aground Under Power Lines

by Aleta George

A substantial wetlands restoration project over at Hill Slough in Solano County is the latest such effort to clash with federal regulations about power lines and sailboats.

From the Oct-Dec 2011 issue
 Published October 01, 2011
Length: moderately-short

Big Solar Coming to East Bay? Photo by Kevin Collins.

Ear to the Ground

Big Solar Coming to East Bay?

by Aleta George

Alameda County is facing tough decisions that have until now been mostly debated in distant desert landscapes. The county is developing new regulations covering large-scale solar. Native plant advocates and farmers and ranchers aim to make sure the policies protect sensitive habitats and high-value ag lands.

From the Oct-Dec 2011 issue
 Published October 01, 2011
Length: moderately-short