North Coyote Valley near San José might look unremarkable in the context of the Bay Area’s 1.2 million acres of unprotected land. But there’s actually nothing quite like it. The valley represents one of the few available undeveloped connections between … Read more
California's state park system is the largest and most diverse natural and cultural heritage holdings in the nation. Yet the century-and-a-half-old system has been in perpetual crisis mode for several decades, battered about by funding shortfalls and repeated threats of closures.
Mount Diablo, a Story of Place
This is an excerpt from photographer and longtime Bay Nature contributor Stephen Joseph’s new book, Mount Diablo, A Story of Place and Inspiration. The book consists of hundreds of Joseph’s photographs, taken over three years on the mountain, and features essays by local conservation leaders.
The Last Big Save
Nearly a thousand acres of the valley oak savanna, wetlands, and agricultural land that once dominated Silicon Valley will be protected
An Experienced Park Visitor’s View of Point Reyes
For those who are unaware of Point Reyes Station, it is a small town adjacent to Point Reyes National Seashore and the quaint town of Inverness. It’s the type of town that tourists flock to on the weekends and most … Read more
East Bay Regional Park District Bans Glyphosate
This past July, the East Bay Regional Park District announced a ban on the controversial herbicide glyphosate, also known by the brand name Roundup. The prohibition was effective immediately in picnic areas. The district said it would discontinue use of … Read more
Bringing Parks to the People
America’s national parks are often imagined as faraway destinations for special vacations. We’ve set aside places like Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone as getaways unrivaled in majesty and glory. I worked in many of these parks during my 12 years … Read more
Behind the Name at the East Bay Parks
How often have you encountered a trail, campsite—or even an entire park—with an odd or mysterious name? Eighty-five years ago, visionary academics, public officials, and hikers, living mostly in Oakland and Berkeley, convinced public agencies to convert hilltop watershed lands … Read more
Restoring a Watershed in the Heart of San Francisco
Water, naturally, seeps or springs up from the ground and flows downhill until it reaches an outlet. To restore a watershed you would need to protect all of that space—the springs, creek, and estuary mouth. To protect an entire watershed … Read more
Controlling Weeds on Playing Fields, Parks and Lawns Without Herbicides
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Turfgrass covers more than 40 million acres of land in the continental United States, including lawns, parks, commercial landscapes, sports fields and golf courses. … Read more
Can Parks Help Cities Fight Crime?
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The relationship between parks and crime remains the subject of debate. Some scholars say parks and other urban green spaces prevent violence. When vacant … Read more