Paul Epstein

Circles in the sand

February 13, 2012 •  by

Now you see it. Now you don’t. Jim Denevan creates art –very large art — out of the most ephemeral media: patterns in sand which will wash away with the tide, tracings in the earth that will disappear with the first rain, etchings upon icy lakes that must melt with the coming of spring. Beach aficionados know him as “that surfer dude,” but his artwork is reminiscent of masters like Christo and Goldsworthy.

Images of activism

January 27, 2012 •  by

Petaluma photographer Scott Hess never shied from a debate about conservation. He’s hiked, admittedly illicitly, around Lafferty Ranch to reveal the property’s hidden beauty, and once snapped pinups of “ecobabes” for a calendar on climate change. In this Q&A, Hess explains how his activism and photography intersect, and the pitfalls of doing what you love most.

Sustainable Christmas trees sprouting up

December 21, 2011 •  by

In the past, a consumer had mainly two choices: real or artificial. Another voice has joined the debate over the “best” Christmas tree. “Sustainable” trees have hit holiday stands to become a viable option for green consumers. But what does the label “sustainable” mean and are these trees worth the premium price?

Students explore origins of popular Thanksgiving dish

November 23, 2011 •  by

Making the most of a popular Thanksgiving dish and Native American agricultural traditions, students at Frank Havens School planted a “Three Sisters” garden. The fifth-graders planted squash, corn and beans together – known as succotash — in an effort to demonstrate how the plants help each other grow without the need of chemicals and how, when combined, provide complete nutrition.

Jewish Farm Brings Spirit to the Art of Cultivation

November 10, 2011 •  by

Urban Adamah is a one-acre farm and Jewish environmental education center that recently opened in West Berkeley, just a stone’s throw from Interstate 80. Named for the Hebrew word for “earth,” Urban Adamah provides local food banks and community organizations with fresh produce while accommodating 500 visitors a month.

BayWood Artists Exhibition Benefits Save the Bay

October 28, 2011 •  by

The BayWood Artists, a group of plein air painters who often hold art sales to benefit local environmental groups, are dedicating their current show at the Bay Model in Sausalito to Save the Bay, which is celebrating its 50th birthday this year.

A Muddy Race at Mount Hamilton

October 21, 2011 •  by

On October 9, 805 teams of two, 100 individuals, and 220 children, along with hundreds of volunteers from local civic organizations, a crack team of event organizers, and thousands of cheering fans gathered at Joseph D. Grant County Park in the Mount Hamilton area of San Jose. They came to run. They came to bike. They came to get dirty.

Should National Parks Allow Air Tours?

October 12, 2011 •  by

Two air tour operators got a provisional green light for low-flying air tours over the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes. Meanwhile, a long-term Air Tour Management Plan is in the works. As the October 21 public comment deadline approaches, some environmentalists say air tours have no place in parks, while tour operators say they offer access to people who might not otherwise see the parks.

Get in on National Public Lands Day, this Saturday

September 21, 2011 •  by

Even before Woodie Guthrie sang “This land is your land…,” Americans had a solid history of maintaining and sharing public lands. September 24 brings this value into sharp focus: The annual National Public Lands Day is the largest assembly of volunteer effort on behalf of public lands in history. We’ll help you get in on the action!