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Measure Q’s conservation efforts begin to take shape

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County of Santa Cruz
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SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Steps are being made to implement new conservation efforts and plans in Santa Cruz County due to Measure Q.

Approved by voters in November 2024, the measure will implement an annual parcel tax of $87 to help with natural conservation efforts throughout the county. This includes water conservation for rivers and creeks and wildfire risk reduction with forest management. Protections for wildlife habitats and beaches along the coast will also be implemented.

A new Citizens Oversight Advisory Board is being established that will begin in March. The board will have public hearings, create annual reports and oversee funds.

Vision Plans are also being mandated under the measure to help shape the goals of each conservation effort. These will be created in collaboration with local stakeholders and experts to create plans that fall in line with existing local and state laws.

As for funding of efforts, 40 percent will be provided through grant programs for eligible applicants/ 20 percent will be allocated to the four incorporated cities in the county.

20 percent will be allocated to the County of Santa Cruz for eligible projects within unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County and another 20 percent allocated to the Resource Conservation District.

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Sergio Berrueta

Sergio Berrueta has been in the news for quite awhile going from studying print media to entering the realm of broadcast.

Originally from Bell Gardens, California, in Southeast Los Angeles. Berrueta started his professional news career in Eureka as a newscast producer for North Coast News (now The Northstate’s News) at KAEF ABC 23 in 2022. He pivoted a year later in 2022 going from behind-the-scenes to in front of the camera as a multimedia journalist for Redwood News Channel 3 (KIEM/KVIQ) also in Eureka.

Berrueta studied journalism at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) earning his Bachelor’s Degree. Berrueta was a staff writer, page editor, social media manager and editor-in-chief of the university’s El Lenador, the only bilingual publication in all of Humboldt County.

Before moving to the North Coast, Berrueta had earned his Associate’s Degree at East Los Angeles College in 2019 after beginning his educational journey in 2012. He also was on staff for the ELAC’s publication, ELAC Campus News, having been a staff writer, page editor, and online editor.

Outside of news experience, Berrueta has also been in education as an AmeriCorps tutor in East Hollywood from 2017 to 2019 and served in a government role as a National Hometown Fellow for Lead for America with the City of Arcata in 2021.

When not focusing on news, Berrueta is an avid amateur cinephile having written about films in free time. He also writes poetry, attempting to get through a backlog of video games, enjoys visiting new places along the California Coast, and trying to keep up with the latest music and podcasts.

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