Browse Our Stories
Wed, Sep 26 2012
UC Davis' California WaterBlog: "Knowing the Delta’s past offers new ideas forward"
Teetering atop a haystack to get his bearings, Sacramento County Surveyor Edwin Sherman observed “dense tules and willows” lining the sloughs that wove through “large tule plains and some grass.” The haystack also afforded him a dry bed at night when high tides inundated the surrounding wetlands
Fri, Sep 14 2012
A new study released this week by the San Francisco Estuary Institute and the California Department of Fish and Game aims to turn back the clock and learn how the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta used to work - over 150 years ago.
Thu, Sep 13 2012
Announcing the release of the Delta Historical Ecology report
San Francisco Estuary Institute-Aquatic Science Center
California Department of Fish and Game
September 13, 2012
Thu, Sep 13 2012
The California Department of Fish and Game has released a landmark historical ecology report on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, looking at how it "has been transformed over 150 years from the largest system of wetlands on the West Coast of the United States into an expanse of farms, levees and
Fri, Aug 31 2012
The "Review of the Alameda Creek Habitat Conservation Plan Modeling Strategy" by an independent science review panel highlighted the value of historical ecology (excerpt below).
Fri, Aug 10 2012
"Napa Valley oaks and urban forest"
Did you know that most of Napa Valley was, for millennia, a managed oak woodland?
Fri, Jul 13 2012
"The River Through Time: Historical Ecology of the Napa Valley" - Napa Atlas in Bay Nature Magazine
Article Text:
Tue, Jun 12 2012
Delta history website - Collaboration with Stanford & KQED
The fate of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a notorious issue in California. As both the source of half of California's water and a sensitive, threatened ecosystem, it's been a bone of contention between environmentalists and industry for decades.
Thu, May 24 2012
@The Theatre in Napa - Napa Valley Historical Ecology Atlas Celebration and Book Signing
The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) is pleased to announce the publication of the Napa Valley Historical Ecology Atlas and a community event celebrating the history, ecology, and future of the Napa Valley.
Fri, May 11 2012
KQED QUEST Highlights Delta Historical Ecology Study
As detective stories go, this sunny, spring day in the Delta isn't a typical backdrop. In the distance, tractors move slowly through dry fields of row crops.
Sat, Apr 21 2012
"Today’s Vineyards, Yesterday’s Tall Oaks" - Napa Historical Ecology Atlas in the New York Times
On a recent sunny day in the Napa Valley, Robin Grossinger cupped his hands around his eyes and surveyed the landscape. He said the scene gave him “a feeling of grandeur.”
Fri, Mar 30 2012
Bringing Back the Napa Valley shade: Leah Garchik on the Napa Historical Ecology Atlas
On lands where mighty oaks once grew, mighty oaks may grow again.
Thu, Mar 15 2012
Press for the Napa Valley Historical Ecology Atlas
The floor of the Napa Valley today is far different from what the first white settlers saw in the early 1800s. Streams and wetlands have disappeared, the once-sprawling Napa River has been channeled.
Mon, Mar 12 2012
Historically smart land design: Robin Grossinger interviewed on KALW
Listen to the interview here
Sun, Jan 1 - Sat, Mar 31 2012
Bay Nature: Robin Grossinger Environmental Educator of the year
Robin Grossinger: A Bay Nature Local Environmental Hero
by Beth Slatkin — published
Robin Grossinger
Mon, Dec 12 2011
SFEI collaboration with local Tribe: Reintroducing Native Fire to the Pinnacles
Grass is burned to study Indian culture
Peter Fimrite, Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, December 12, 2011
Thu, Dec 8 2011
Valley Oaks: An Ecological Journey Through Time
Come take an immersive tour from the canopy to the cosmos inside the Morrison Planetarium. We'll explore the history and ecology of one of California’s most iconic and threatened tree species, the Valley oak.
Tue, Nov 22 2011
Historical ecology team presents findings at Contra Costa County Watershed forum
Agencies, nonprofits gather to discuss watershed issues
By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times
Posted: 11/22/2011 01:06:42 PM PST
Updated: 11/22/2011 03:17:12 PM PST
Sun, Nov 20 2011
Historical Ecology and Designing the Future Bay: SF Chronicle Story
'Grossinger recounted the history of the creation of the bay as the sea level rose over the past several thousand years and covered what used to be a valley between the East Bay and the Peninsula.
Thu, Nov 17 2011
East Contra Costa County Historical Ecology report completed
We are excited to announce the completion of the The East Contra Costa County Historical Ecology Study.
Mon, Sep 19 2011
State of San Francisco Bay 2011 Report
Released at the State of the Estuary 2011 Conference, The State of San Francisco Bay 2011 presents a science-based assessment of the health of San Francisco Bay. The authors reviewed available data and developed methods for evaluating the status and trends of the Bay’s vital signs.
Fri, Sep 9 2011
Historical ecologists inform restoration strategies in Ventura County
Excerpts from the article:
Tue, Aug 30 - Fri, Sep 2 2011
SFEI Presents at First International Conference on Historical Ecology
This seminal event held in Zürich, Switzerland, brought together international researchers in historical ecology for the first time to d
Mon, Aug 29 2011
Ventura County Historical Ecology report completed
We are pleased to announce the release of our latest historical ecology report, Historical ecology of the lower Santa Clara River, Ventura River, and
Fri, Jul 29 2011
SFEI Mercury Scientists present at the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant
Jay Davis, Lester McKee, Don Yee, Nicole David, and Aroon Melwani presented at the International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Sat, May 21 2011
In this podcast produced by the San Francisco Estuary Partnership, Estuary managers and scientists, including SFEI scientist Letitia Grenier, provide insight on the impact and control of methylmercury in the Estuary.
Fri, Apr 22 2011
Saving The Bay goes national in prime time on PBS
Saving the Bay, the award-winning documentary featuring SFEI scientists Josh Collins, Robin Grossinger, and Chuck Striplen, premiered nationally on PBS stations, airing from April to June, depending on location. Check your local PBS listings for the times and dates in your area.