July 17, 2022 By David Goldstein As local gardeners and farmers look for ways to keep their fruit trees alive while meeting water conservation goals, they can consider the water savings gained by applying organic mulch, as documented in an influential 1999 University of California study. The study’s findings and recommendations have gained relevance today…
Matt Ehret Promoted to Watershed Protection’s Deputy Director for Design and Construction Matt Ehret, a 20-year employee with the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA), has been promoted to Deputy Director for Design and Construction within Watershed Protection (WP). His new role involves planning and managing environmentally responsible flood protection and stormwater management assets throughout…
EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENT | JULY 4 BARBECUES: GAS VERSUS CHARCOAL June 29th, 2022 by David Goldstein As you prepare to celebrate Independence Day with Fourth of July barbecues, consider the example of Ali Ghasemi, the executive officer at the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District. “I have two gas barbecues,” he told me. “One…
Greywater: The green way to water every day EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENT David Goldstein One by one, local cities have restricted outdoor watering to one day per week. Even cities not receiving water from the Metropolitan Water District are considering similar limitations. Regardless of the restrictions, there is a way to water every day; it’s…
EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENT | CONDITIONS FOR WATER CONDITIONING WHEN SOFTENERS ARE HARD ON THE ENVIRONMENT 6/1/2022 by David Goldstein Nearly everyone in Ventura County subscribes to trash collection service, requiring three separate trucks to stop at their house each week, but thousands of people also subscribe to another environmental service requiring an additional truck.…
EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENT | GREYWATER: THE GREEN WAY TO WATER EVERY DAY by David Goldstein Local cities from Simi Valley to Oxnard have restricted outdoor watering to one day per week, and even areas not receiving water from the Metropolitan Water District are considering similar limitations. Regardless of these restrictions, there is a green…
EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENT | PLEDGE TO BIKE INSTEAD OF DRIVE, WIN $250 By Darrin Peschka and David Goldstein Amid encouraging signs that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, more businesses are re-opening and workers are returning to the office. If you’re among the employees returning to in-person work, even if only a…
EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENT | LOCAL ZOOS CONNECT PEOPLE TO ENVIRONMENT by David Goldstein Last month, I asked a neighbor if he planned to attend any local Earth Day events. Perhaps in explanation of his lack of interest, he responded, “Shouldn’t every day be Earth Day?” On his next birthday, I plan to tell him,…
EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENT | FOR ARBOR DAY’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY, VISIT A LOCAL BOTANIC GARDEN by David Goldstein The 150th annual National Arbor Day is April 29, 2022. This holiday is nationally celebrated on the last Friday in April, but some states observe Arbor Day on different dates based on optimal tree planting times or…
Eco-tip: Fighting planned obsolescence with extended warranties, right to repair By David Goldstein Special to Ventura County Star Are extended warranties worth the cost? For cars, the question becomes complicated by a wide variety of options, prices and incentives. For other items, such as appliances and cell phones, the choices are simpler. Some people need…