Author: Save The Bay Fellow

We are excited to feature the 2020 winner of our Annual Photo Contest, ‘Crowns of the Dipsea’ by Derin Kiykioglu. Thank you to all the talented photographers who entered our Photo Contest this year. Your images highlight the beauty and diversity of our region and remind us of how important it is to protect it. We had the pleasure of speaking with Photo Contest Winner, Derin to learn more about her work. Read our conversation below:  First, please tell us a bit about yourself. How long have you been a photographer? What inspires you? I moved to the Bay Area …

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Pollution in our Bay As we approach the winter season, how to celebrate safely is something we’re all thinking about. It’s also a good time to think about how our choices impact the health of the San Francisco Bay. During this time of shelter in place, our Bay is being trashed with an increasing amount of single-use food containers and PPE. Single use plastics in our Bay harm wildlife and poison the Bay itself. Read the recent SF Chronicle article, featuring our Executive Director, David Lewis, about how rainfall is moving more trash, including PPE into our Bay. This winter …

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By: Julia Finney, Policy Fellow During this current public health crisis, the last thing people should need to worry about is access to clean water. Access to water ensures that people can wash their hands, which we know is extremely critical in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as the ability to clean other commonly used surfaces. Access and use of water can also reduce the consumption of single use plastic such as plastic water bottles or single use cleaning wipes. In place of single use  plastic and cleaning supplies, access to water can greatly reduce the …

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Save The Bay was hosted by Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) who led a tour of the city of Richmond about the deep and fruitful history of the city and its environment. Founded in 1978, CBE is regarded as one of the distinguished environmental justice organizations in the US. CBE states its mission is to, “build people’s power in California’s communities of color and low-income communities to achieve environmental health and justice by preventing and reducing pollution and building green, healthy and sustainable communities and environments.” Andrés Soto, the Richmond Community Organizer for CBE, led the tour and gave …

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Last week saw the return of rain to the Bay Area for the first time in months, kicking off the winter season and initiating a little-known but incredibly damaging event for the Bay – First Flush.  We recently wrote about how this event impacts the Bay with trash pollution, and how an overwhelming amount of this trash pollution is the responsibility of a single state agency – Caltrans. This year Save The Bay used the “first flush” as an opportunity to call out Caltrans for its failure to eliminate roadway trash from our communities by using our social media platforms …

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By Rachel Ishizaki – Bay Smart Communities Fellow Save The Bay presented a workshop on climate change and Bay Smart communities at the 2019 San Mateo County Housing Leadership Day. This annual conference unites elected officials, agency leaders, the non-profit housing community, and activists to discuss current housing policies, challenges, and solutions. It was organized by San Mateo County’s Housing Leadership Council (HLC), a non-profit organization that works with communities and local leaders to produce and preserve quality affordable housing by advocating for policies that directly address the housing shortage. HLC brought together experts and community members to discuss this …

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By Laura Booth – Save The Bay Nursery Fellow “The history of conservation is the history of how we value nature,” read an illuminating line in Amanda Brown-Stevens’ presentation to attendees at the 14th biennial State of the San Francisco Estuary Conference. The future of conservation, conversely, will be determined by how we value nature AND people, together. That was the thesis of this year’s State of the Estuary, where ramping up social-ecological resilience was the key theme, and separating people from nature was acknowledged as an ongoing tactic of oppression. Connecting People and Nature More so than in previous …

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By Rachel Ishizaki – Bay Smart Communities Fellow The Global Climate Strike that took place from September 20 to September 27 was the largest mobilization of climate activists ever seen and was inspired by teenage climate activist, Greta Thunberg. The week of strikes were organized to coincide with the United Nations Climate Action Summit where world leaders met to discuss how they will meet the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over 7 million people rose up in defense of the environment to demand that countries enact much more ambitious climate policies. Carrying a sign that had a …

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By Juliana Medan Bees are incredibly important for the wellbeing and survival of countless species, including our own. European honey bees are essential for agriculture. Native bees, of which there are over a thousand species, are very important for California native plants and ecosystems.  Bees play such a vital role in our environment, yet their wellbeing is threatened. Bees are responsible for pollination– making food available for other organisms, allowing for floral growth, and providing habitats for insects and birds. For the past ten years, beekeepers have reported annual hive losses of more than 30 percent. Bee populations have been dwindling …

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By Juliana Medan Summer is here, and what better way to celebrate than watching the sunset with family and friends? Visit one of these stunning lookout points and take advantage of all the amazing views our Bay has to offer. You and your Instagram will both appreciate your visit to theses photogenic sunset spots. 1. Peak of Mount Tamalpais – Marin In the heart of Marin County, Mount Tamalpais has some of the most gorgeous views our Bay has to offer. Its highest point, East Peak, sits above the clouds, ensuring that the view of the sunset is clear even …

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