A History of the Farallon Islands

MojosCoast

Ten thousand years ago, Mother Earth was shivering through the last major ice age. The world's major oceans were up to 330 feet lower, and the polar ice masses extended much closer to the equator. The west coast of what is now California reached 35 miles west of its present day location.   At the edge of this ancient coastline were foothills similar to Mount Tamalpais. The ice began to melt, the water began to rise, and our little foothills became the isolated orphans that we now call the Farallon Islands.     Continued >>

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Delta Smelt

The delta smelt may only grow to 2-3 inches in length, but it serves as an important barometer for the overall health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Estuary, as well as upstream waters. Once commercially harvested in the 19th century and early 20th century, populations of delta smelt have rapidly declined in recent decades.

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