EcoCruz.org
The Santa Cruz Area is fortunate enough to have numerous organizations working on environmental protection, but we have so many it can be a challenge to find which one has the information most needed. EcoCruz.org is the answer to this dilemma. EcoCorgruz. is a free online collaborative tool that serves as the Green Gateway for Santa Cruz, California agencies. Member organizations can sign up to be listed in the Environmental Directory, post to the calendar of events, announce press releases, emloyeement opportunities, and internships. Organizations can sign up at EcoCruz.org by visiting the Registration page.
This project was first discussed at the Santa Cruz Environmental Summit in 2006. Here, many organizations expressed the need for better collaboration and partnerships. With funding from the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, and establishment of a Steering Committee, EcoCruz.org was off to a start. Environmental Innovations (EI) was hired by Ecology Action of Santa Cruz to coordinate the development and implementation of the EcoCruz.org project.
Directory Service
Member organizations are listed in a directory service. This service culled some entries from Harbinger's Environmental Directory but the majority of the members registered due to a strong advertising push in April of 2008. Organizations have their contact information, website, and description listed as the main function, and are also listed by function such as land use or transportation.
Calendar of Events
The Calendar of Events function is meant as a central location to promote environmentally oriented activities, a sort of loud speaker. To post to the Calendar of Events, an organization must be a Registered user.
EcoCruz List Serve:
One of the most beneficial outcomes of this project has been the Collaboration Listserve. Organizations share grant opportunities, requests for collaboration, resources, and invitations to important local environmental events. To date over 80 environmental leaders have signed up for the listserve. Join the low-traffic list serve so you don't miss important local opportunities! Visit the Collaboration Listserve page to learn more and sign up.
