Many of you are enjoying the recently launched digital news platform Lookout Santa Cruz. They’re a refreshing addition to the local news landscape and they’ve crafted a unique approach to fostering a thriving community. They’re educating and inspiring readers who enjoy rich stories and news by the top notch, professional journalists they’ve brought on board. Lookout’s environment reporter, Mallory Pickett, happens to have a CWC connection too, having interned at the Coastal Watershed Council over ten years ago. Welcome back to Santa Cruz Mallory! Check out Mallory’s recent piece about debris flows and look for more coverage from her about the San Lorenzo River and other environment topics you care about.
Lookout has an interesting business model, one that invests in community and fosters civic engagement. They are investing particularly deeply in five local nonprofits, by donating a portion of members’ subscription fees to five chosen civic partners. That’s right, every paying Lookout member has the opportunity to donate to one of five nonprofits chosen by Lookout. We’re excited that the Coastal Watershed Council has been selected for this honor, joining the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, DigitalNEST, Jacob’s Heart and the Food Bank of Santa Cruz County. While Lookout is free until early 2021, paying members can donate 10% of their monthly or annual subscription fee to CWC.
In addition to Lookout’s financial investments in community causes, they’re fostering civic engagement by informing readers about how to plug in to public decision-making processes and by promoting volunteer opportunities. Here is CWC’s profile page on the Lookout site, which is one more place you can learn how to help this river we impact and rely on every day. CWC considers Lookout Santa Cruz a new and immediately valued partner as we work to realize Santa Cruz’s vision of a healthy, welcoming and fun San Lorenzo River that connects our diverse community to nature that is recognized as an attractive and desirable location for outdoor recreation.
Thank you, Lookout, for choosing CWC as a partner – and thank you to all Lookout readers who become members and donate to CWC as a civic partner.