Linksploration - Bay Area

Want to incorporate native plants into your garden? Or just hear about local plants? There is a lot more to it than I thought. We talk with Beth Wurzburg of the California Native Plant Society about their nursery, Native Here, in Tilden Park.

Now renamed Pacheco Marsh, the newly restored five mile stretch at the mouth of Walnut Creek is our newest park. In January, 2023, we toured the restoration in progress. Now we get the before and after as we attend the park's grand opening on May 3, 2025. Enjoy conversations with some of the celebrants, and fascinating descriptions of how the engineers at the Contra Costa County Flood Control District made it happen.

Even P&GE wants you to replace your gas appliances!  Bill Olsen from the Contra Costa chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby explains how to get started, what it might cost, and how to make a plan.

And a brief update on the second anniversary of the Thanksgiving toxic release.

More on the refinery saga.

Here's the first update to our coverage of the refinery.

Here's our first episode about the refinery and its depredations.

There's never a dull moment living near the Martinez Refinery! After being assessed a $4.5 million penalty, you would think they would clean up their act, but you would be wrong. Heidi Taylor of Healthy Martinez brings us up to date - or almost up to date. After this episode was recorded, on the refinery's very first day of restarting operations, another fire broke out and a worker was injured.

Got a broken toaster? Leggings with a torn seam? A broken necklace? The Repair Cafe is here for you.

Marsh Creek runs from the flanks of Mt Diablo to the San Joaquin River, and it is full of surprising wildlife! For the MLK Day of Service, we are picking up trash and keeping our eyes peeled.