Stories

History major David D. Schmidt ’78 announces that Backcountry Press has just published his long-awaited book, San Francisco Bay Area: An Environmental History. The book has received a "Notable Contribution to Publishing" Award from the California Book Awards, given annually by the prestigious Commonwealth Club. Comprehensive in scope, it covers the history of the Bay Area's lands, waters, resources, people, industries and infrastructure in all nine counties plus Santa Cruz, from Native Tribes to agriculture, industry, the environmental movement, and ecological restoration. This is the first book to cover the 127-year history of the region's nation-leading environmental movement, its leaders and their successes, as well as major industries and their impacts, from mining and logging to electric power and the tech industry. Its 20 topical chapters also cover wildlife, fisheries, invasive species, transportation, urbanization, parks and land conservation, water supply, pollution and cleanup, waste disposal, wildfires, floods, droughts and earthquakes. David has also started a Bay Area-wide speaking tour, and is available to speak to classes and groups, free of charge. You may reach him at davidnaturesf@gmail.com. Congratulations on your book and marvelous book prize, David!