You’ve seen their bleached skeletons lying on the beach or scattered in gardens. What does a living sand dollar do?
Bay Nature stories about the Pacific Ocean.
Kelp Forests Surge Back on Parts of the North Coast, with a Lesson About Environmental Stability
Some scientists thought kelp’s near-disappearance from the waters off California was likely a new normal. Then, at least temporarily, the kelp came back.
The Legacy of Gordon Chan
A story about the life and legacy of celebrated scientist, conservationist and mentor Gordon Chan.
Four Gray Whales Found Dead in the Bay Area as Mysterious Die-off Continues
April is the peak month for gray whales passing by the San Francisco Bay Area, drawing spectators to the coast to scan the ocean’s surface for a heart-shaped spout or the flick of a gray-speckled tail. But while the abundance … Read more
Packed at Pillar Point
Huge crowds are harvesting mussels and other invertebrates. Could this damage the much-beloved reef?
Volunteer Divers Hope to Restore Kelp from the Ground Up
Can volunteer scuba divers start a turnaround for Northern California kelp forests?
A Seasonal Whale Finder for California
When to find and how to identify the three whales that regularly visit the California coast.
How Do Wildfires Affect Ocean Ecosystems?
How does wildfire ash affect the organisms in our waterways? Since plankton form the foundation of our coastal ecosystems, what happens if their equilibrium is disrupted?
Encountering an Alien on a Point Reyes Beach
Its face might have inspired the monster Alien Queen. Phronima lives like it.
Op-Ed: A Fisherman’s Perspective on Whales and Crab Gear
“Ropeless” gear won’t work, a second-generation crab fisherman says.