Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
4108 results for "california coast"
Three California counties just achieved 90% renewable energy access while turning farms into carbon-fighting powerhouses. Despite losing $1.5 million in federal funding, the Central Coast proved local action can still win against climate change.
Three Native American tribes are reclaiming 136 acres of sacred California coastline, including the beloved Blues Beach, in the state's first-ever land transfer from a state agency to Indigenous stewardship. After years of advocacy and a 2021 law change, the tribes will protect both natural resources and cultural traditions while keeping the spectacular stretch open to the public.
Nearly 800 cargo ships voluntarily slowed down along California's coastline this year, cutting the risk of fatal whale strikes by 40% while eliminating over 55,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases. The simple act of slowing down is saving lives above and below the water.
Gemma McCaw crossed the finish line of New Zealand's grueling Coast to Coast race with her three daughters by her side, completing the 243-kilometer journey with para-athlete partner Shaz Dagg. The emotional moment capped Dagg's comeback story after a devastating crash forced her out of the race two years ago.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F33%2Ff1%2F33f1a755-2013-47c1-807e-ad6482c9b647%2Fimg_7749-1200x900.jpeg)
For the first time in a century, hikers can explore a stunning 547-acre stretch of California's coast that was once a private ranch. The Estero Americano Coast Preserve now offers five miles of free trails, wildflower meadows, and rare wildlife habitats just south of Bodega Bay.
After a November bike crash left her with a shoulder injury and concussion, 49-year-old Elina Ussher is back to compete in her record-breaking 21st Coast to Coast race this weekend. The Nelson athlete has raced New Zealand's toughest multisport event more times than any other woman in history.
Marine scientists spotted a living white abalone near California's Channel Islands for the first time in five years, offering fresh hope for a species that's declined 99% since the 1970s. The discovery happened during a citizen science survey designed to locate the critically endangered sea snails before it's too late.
When a bleeding stranger walked into a San Diego brewery, a Coast Guard veteran's quick thinking stopped the worst from happening. His calm response turned a violent incident into a story of community care.
After last year's July 4th celebration drew thousands to Del Norte County beaches, volunteers collected over a ton of fireworks debris and litter. Now the community is gearing up for the 2026 cleanup with even bigger ambitions.
A pair of California condors are incubating the region's first wild egg in over a century, marking a major milestone for a species that once dwindled to just 22 birds. The hopeful parents, equipped with GPS trackers and given names meaning "She carries our prayers" and "At last I fly," are sharing parenting duties in Humboldt County.
The Pacific Coast Dream Machines show needs volunteers for its April 2026 event, offering free admission and lunch to those who help. Every shift supports the Coastside Adult Day Health Center while making one of the West Coast's most unique car shows possible.
Scientists discovered 18 surviving sunflower sea stars off California's coast, offering hope for the state's devastated kelp forests. The 24-armed predators, thought nearly extinct after disease and heat killed 99% of them in 2013, could restore underwater forests by controlling purple sea urchins.
A critically endangered waved albatross shocked scientists when it appeared off the California coast, thousands of miles from its Galapagos home. The majestic seabird's unexpected journey has researchers wondering if it's a lone wanderer or a sign of changing ocean patterns.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F0a%2Fa6%2F0aa68da1-7b22-4446-8e5c-3b80c11c3c74%2F619696255_10163762568906170_3571743517518483562_n.jpg)
A marine ecologist collapsed in tears when she spotted a critically endangered waved albatross off California's coast, thousands of miles north of where the species has ever been seen. The stunning sighting gives scientists hope that this magnificent bird might simply be taking a year off from breeding.
Four young athletes from California's Central Coast just helped Team USA's women's water polo team punch their ticket to the World Cup Final. Their victory in the Netherlands marks a major milestone on the road to the LA Olympics.
A California breast cancer survivor composed an original piece for an interactive art installation celebrating cancer survivors through live piano performances. The "Music of Hope" exhibit at South Coast Plaza runs through June 18, featuring messages of encouragement for survivors nationwide.
A U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat happened upon a vessel taking on water just in time to help a Good Samaritan rescue seven people from the sinking boat near Tybee, Georgia. The perfectly timed response turned a potential tragedy into a successful rescue mission.
New Zealand endurance racer Hamish Elliott turned a kayaking mishap into motivation, claiming his second Coast to Coast title with a 20-minute lead. His response to the setback shows the power of embracing life's unexpected challenges.
California's north coast is calling on volunteers to help save critical wildlife habitats this June. Three free restoration events will protect prairies, coastal dunes, and native forests from invasive plants threatening local ecosystems.
Restoring California's North Coast state parks is generating more than 215 good-paying jobs annually while pumping $140 million into rural communities. These positions don't require college degrees and offer wages from $42,000 to over $108,000 per year.
Showing 20 of 4108