Growing Green: The Role of Stewardship and Sustainable Practices in the Cannabis Industry
On April 5, 2024, CalPoly Humboldt held its first-ever symposium to focus on regenerative and sustainable practices and policies for the…
SYRCL’s vision is to inspire the community to engage in sustainable and ecologically sound cannabis cultivation in the Yuba River watershed.
Our scientists and concerned community members recognize that the environmental impacts of illegal, large-scale cannabis cultivation are real.
SYRCL wants to help growers understand how regulation can be a tool that allows agriculture to align with objectives that maintain water quality, and promote habitat for fish and wildlife.
In 2016, California took the positive step towards regulating cannabis cultivation with Proposition 64. Nevada County was the only county in the Yuba River watershed to regulate cannabis cultivation and protect our water resources.
In 2019 Nevada County adopted a Cannabis Cultivation ordinance to regulate the commercial cannabis industry. Since that time, SYRCL has advocated for environmentally protective language throughout the regulations, especially encouraging best management practices (BMPs).
SYRCL remains vigilant to the environmental impacts of illegal cannabis operations while striving to be an active participant in the regulatory process for legal cannabis cultivation operations.
As a community we can educate each other to ensure cannabis is grown in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way.
The most concerning impacts of illegal cannabis grows in the Yuba are:
The overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, polluting the water and poisoning wildlife.
Illegal water diversions that result in loss of late season stream flow and dry up creeks. The diversions also increase pollution and algae blooms in our streams and rivers.
Cultivating cannabis on public and forested lands causes deforestation and illegal land grading, damaging habitat for native fish and wildlife.
On April 5, 2024, CalPoly Humboldt held its first-ever symposium to focus on regenerative and sustainable practices and policies for the…
As we navigate California’s water usage landscape, it’s essential to understand how different sectors contribute to our overall demand for water. A recent study by the Berkeley Cannabis Research Center conducted across 91 Humboldt and Mendocino Counties watersheds brought to light interesting findings regarding residential water use and licensed cannabis cultivation. The study was released in February 2024.
In October, Governor Newsom signed two cannabis-related bills that will protect our waterways from plastic tags and illegal activity that causes damage to our rivers and groundwater.
Through Growing Green for the Yuba, SYRCL’s vision is to inspire the community to engage in sustainable and ecologically sound cannabis cultivation in the Yuba River watershed. In honor of 4/20, SYRCL would like to take a moment to share some interesting cannabis developments happening at the state level in California.