The Fall and Rise of the Wetlands of California's Great Central Valley

Garone's book is an excellent history of California's Central Valley and its watershed - well researched, well written. And it is more than that. It is a tale of how humans have mismanaged wild lands, in ignorance, and how some of those areas can to some extent be restored. It takes more hard work, money, and foresight than you would imagine. Biologists have long told me that no land in the US is "wild" any more, it is all managed. But not until I read this book did I learn how extensive that management is. A third or more of the North American western waterbird population, which nests for the most part in Canada, winters in California's Central Valley. This means many millions of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Their presence and use of the land is ancient and important - they are a vital part of the balance of natural forces that protects species and land forms. (We forget often that the balance is equally important to us!) The birds almost vanished, thanks to the draining of the wetlands in the early 20th century, and those that survived did so by decimating the farm crops that had replaced their traditional feeding grounds. This books explains the compromises that allow humans to farm and birds to continue to exist. It's well told, convincing, dramatic, and in many ways global. These events are worldwide, but the end result is often not as heartening.

Purchased for a class. Really enjoyed that book and the learned very much about the geographical changes of Calis Central Valley. Would definitely recommend it to any educator.

I found the book extremely interesting and useful as someone who works in the world of CA water. This book adds context about how people thought and treated parts of nature in development of CA and it's water infrastructure. Thank you to the author for writing and getting it published for us to read.

Per my husband... a must read for any Central Valley (California) water resources practitioner.

Tells the story without an extreme bias. Growing up in the central valley there were a lot of ponds ditches and seasonally flooded areas. This provided the habitat for wildlife. I am happy to see the pendulum swing back in a positive direction. Farmers and environmentalist both share a similar goal of better water use. I am looking forward to them working together on issues and projects they agree on.