San Francisco Bay Area: An Environmental History

By David Schmidt

San Francisco Bay Area: An Environmental History is a sweeping and richly detailed account of how one of the world’s most ecologically diverse regions has been shaped over millennia by natural forces and human hands. It gives readers a lens to understand not only the Bay Area’s past, but also the ecological and cultural choices that will shape its future. With 20 thematic chapters covering fire and flood, species extinction and resilience, urban expansion, and restoration efforts, the book sheds light on both ecological losses and the resilience of cultural traditions. It is written for students, educators, naturalists, and anyone seeking to understand how the Bay Area became what it is today.

David D. Schmidt is a historian, writer and researcher whose work explores the intersections of ecology, history, and culture.

Backcountry Press, 2025, paperback, 632 pages