![Some desert officials and residents are pushing back at fees tied to a Joshua tree protection plan, while conservationists say it doesn't go far enough. Some desert officials and residents are pushing back at fees tied to a Joshua tree protection plan, while conservationists say it doesn't go far enough.](https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_SECONDARY_desertact3_1_1_DM6ED5L_L10190289.jpg?w=134)
![Brooke Staggs](https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/brooke-staggs.jpg?w=83)
Brooke Staggs
Brooke Staggs covers the environment for Southern California News Group’s chain of 11 newspapers. Her work has triggered FBI investigations, landed her appearances on national TV and radio outlets, and helped her win some of the top journalism awards in the western United States. The Big Bear native got her start teaching high school English and journalism in Riverside County but left in 2006 to be a student again herself, earning a masters degree in journalism from New York University. She’s written for dozens of newspapers and magazines across the country, with projects that have taken her from a zero gravity flight over Queens to a fishing village in Ghana. Brooke joined the Orange County Register in January 2013, covering local communities, cannabis and politics before starting on the environment beat for SCNG in July 2022. She also occasionally teaches community college and writes nonfiction, with her co-authored book “Stealing from the World’s Best Schools” available now wherever books are sold. Brooke lives in the Inland Empire with her husband and their much-loved pets. Her freetime is filled with traveling, hiking, reading, crafting and scheming about new ways to make the world a more informed, just and joyful place.
Location: Riverside, California, USA
All Stories
![Some desert officials and residents are pushing back at fees tied to a Joshua tree protection plan, while conservationists say it doesn't go far enough. Some desert officials and residents are pushing back at fees tied to a Joshua tree protection plan, while conservationists say it doesn't go far enough.](https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_SECONDARY_desertact3_1_1_DM6ED5L_L10190289.jpg?w=134)
![This issue also has news on utility rebates, tighter rules for truck emissions and heat wave trends. This issue also has news on utility rebates, tighter rules for truck emissions and heat wave trends.](https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IDB-L-WEATHER-0622-01-WL.jpg?w=136)
The Compost: 🙏 Thank you and farewell! ✈️
![Analysis by the Legislative Analyst Office and other researchers shows that the program has actually had a net positive impact on Californian's electric bills and has been nearly neutral for natural gas prices. Analysis by the Legislative Analyst Office and other researchers shows that the program has actually had a net positive impact on Californian's electric bills and has been nearly neutral for natural gas prices.](https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/OCR-L-EDISONCREDIT-0331-02.jpg?w=131)
Watch for $245 in rebates from Edison and SoCalGas thanks to climate credit
![This week's newsletter also has details on new hiking trails, used EV deals and possible school safeguards around extreme weather. This week's newsletter also has details on new hiking trails, used EV deals and possible school safeguards around extreme weather.](https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/OCR-L-EDHUMES-0327-03mr-1.jpg?w=135)
The Compost: 📚 Read these climate books by local authors
!["Total Garbage," due out April 2, offers readers practical tips to reduce their plastic, food, fashion and energy waste. "Total Garbage," due out April 2, offers readers practical tips to reduce their plastic, food, fashion and energy waste.](https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/OCR-L-EDHUMES-0327-02mr.jpg?w=138)
Edward Humes’ new book explores how cutting waste can upgrade our lives and save our planet
!["This is public land. We want to make sure that it is open to the public," said Michael Parmer, assistant to the city manager for Rancho Cucamonga. "This is public land. We want to make sure that it is open to the public," said Michael Parmer, assistant to the city manager for Rancho Cucamonga.](https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IDB-L-CUCAMONGAPRESERVE-0321-01A.jpg?w=132)
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Rancho Cucamonga gets $2.6 million to buy 122 acres for new trail into national forest
![This week's environment newsletter also has good news for the Balboa Island Ferry, bald eagle parents and rare shrimp fans. This week's environment newsletter also has good news for the Balboa Island Ferry, bald eagle parents and rare shrimp fans.](https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/OCR-L-RENTALREG-0827.jpg?w=123)
The Compost: How renters can go green
![In this week's environment newsletter, a look at new Rivians, the grunion are coming and a controversial landfill can't grow. In this week's environment newsletter, a look at new Rivians, the grunion are coming and a controversial landfill can't grow.](https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/RPE-L-MONU-1014-17-WP.jpg?w=132)
The Compost: Are you breathing clean air at state and national parks?
![After scaling back plans to test hydrogen energy at UC Irvine, SoCalGas now has its sights set on a small farming town near Fresno. After scaling back plans to test hydrogen energy at UC Irvine, SoCalGas now has its sights set on a small farming town near Fresno.](https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/OCR-L-HYDROGENUCI-1217-02mr.jpg?w=140)
After protests, SoCalGas scales back plans to test hydrogen energy at UC Irvine
![Between 2020 and 2021, the National Park Service estimates that just three major fires killed up to 19% of the world's giant sequoias, including thousands in the Sierra Nevada region. Between 2020 and 2021, the National Park Service estimates that just three major fires killed up to 19% of the world's giant sequoias, including thousands in the Sierra Nevada region.](https://www.dailybreeze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/OCR-L-NATIONALPARKSAIR-0309-02-WP_183647808.jpg?w=132)