Field Guide To California Rivers

Award-winning author, naturalist, and conservationist Tim Palmer presents the world of California rivers in this practical and inspiring field guide. Loaded with tips on where to hike, fish, canoe, kayak, and raft, it offers an interpretive approach that reveals geology, plant and wild life, hydrologic processes, and other natural phenomena. Palmer reports on conservation with a perspective from decades of personal engagement. More than 150 streams are featured, 50 riparian species are illustrated, and 180 photos show the essence of California’s rivers. Palmer brings a natural history guide, a recreation guide, and an introduction to river ecology together in one illuminating volume; it belongs in every river lover’s book collection, boat, and backpack.

"River enthusiasts of every kind will find this a handy and authoritative sourcebook made for your bookshelf, boat, backpack, and car. Field Guide to California Rivers is a reference for play no matter what your age, for work if you're professionally involved with rivers, and for daily living if you simply want to know more about the streams nearest your home. Beyond helping you figure out where to go and how to enjoy the rivers and streams by hiking, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and fishing, this guide offers an interpretive approach--it describes the network of waterways and the special qualities and natural features of each. Fifty illustrations identify the most common riparian plants and animals, 150 rivers and streams are featured, and 140 photos by award-winning author and photographer Tim Palmer show the variety, beauty, and grandeur of California's magnificent but threatened rivers estate. Includes regional maps showing every river"--

Award-winning author, naturalist, and conservationist Tim Palmer presents the world of California rivers in this practical and inspiring field guide. Loaded with tips on where to hike, fish, canoe, kayak, and raft, it offers an interpretive approach that reveals geology, plant and wild life, hydrologic processes, and other natural phenomena. Palmer reports on conservation with a perspective from decades of personal engagement. More than 150 streams are featured, 50 riparian species are illustrated, and 180 photos show the essence of California’s rivers. Palmer brings a natural history guide, a recreation guide, and an introduction to river ecology together in one illuminating volume; it belongs in every river lover’s book collection, boat, and backpack.

California Rivers and Streams provides a clear and informative overview of the physical and biological processes that shape California's rivers and watersheds. Jeffrey Mount introduces relevant basic principles of hydrology and geomorphology and applies them to an understanding of the differences in character of the state's many rivers. He then builds on this foundation by evaluating the impact on waterways of different land use practices—logging, mining, agriculture, flood control, urbanization, and water supply development. Water may be one of California's most valuable resources, but it is far from being one we control. In spite of channels, levees, lines and dams, the state's rivers still frequently flood, with devastating results. Almost all the rivers in California are dammed or diverted; with the booming population, there will be pressure for more intervention. Mount argues that Californians know little about how their rivers work and, more importantly, how and why land-use practices impact rivers. The forceful reconfiguration and redistribution of the rivers has already brought the state to a critical crossroads. California Rivers and Streams forces us to reevaluate our use of the state's rivers and offers a foundation for participating in the heated debates about their future.

The Rocky Mountains are renowned for rugged grandeur, but the rivers flowing off the peaks are just as extraordinary in their beauty, nature, and allure. Tim Palmer reveals these natural wonders with their irresistible opportunities for paddling in swift currents and hiking along scenic shores with Field Guide to Rivers of the Rocky Mountains. He guides readers across Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming in this essential and inspiring reference for residents of the Rockies and visitors alike. Look inside to find: Detailed descriptions of 70 rivers Paddling difficulty and trail locations Directions to landings and trailheads Natural science and conservation history 200 brilliant photos by the author Maps locating all rivers

"This book brings to life one of the most creative (and necessary) human endeavors and makes understandable the incredible complexity of California agriculture, one of the world's most daring experiments in feeding itself. A valuable resource that should be read by everyone—not just those of us who farm, but all of us who depend on farms."—Michael Ableman, farmer, photographer, and author of From the Good Earth, On Good Land, and Fields of Plenty. "No understanding of this state is possible without an understanding of its agriculture; that's how important this subject is."—Gerald Haslam, author of Workin' Man Blues: Country Music in California "A fascinating, intriguing, and sometimes even humorous exploration of California's agriculture, from broccoli to marijuana and beyond. At long last, a book everyday people can read to understand the state's biggest industry."—Louis Warren, University of California, Davis

The Santa Ana River Guide: From Crest to Coast-110 Miles along Southern California's Largest River System reveals both the wild and urban sides of the Southland's most important river. The book relates the river's natural and human history, geology, and current conditions and provides all the information necessary to plan an outing on or near the river. Organised into six geographical sections corresponding to the river's "reaches," the book's individual entries include an extensive description of each park and preserve, location and access information, and highlights of what to do there. In addition to covering the recreational possibilities, the book is a call to action for further protecting and restoring the river.

Growing worldwide interest in water systems makes this provocative examination of Northern California's Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta far more important than its regional focus suggests. As author Wolff presents the story of the land and water through images, historical data and an intricate mapping system, Delta Primer frames public discussion about the transformation of the American landscape.

The most comprehensive field guide available to the flora and fauna of California--a portable, essential companion for visitors and residents alike--from the go-to reference source for over 18 million nature lovers. This compact volume contains: An easy-to-use field guide for identifying 1,000 of the state's wildflowers, trees, mushrooms, mosses, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, butterflies, mammals, and much more; A complete overview of California's natural history, covering geology, wildlife habitats, ecology, fossils, rocks and minerals, clouds and weather patterns and night sky; An extensive sampling of the area's best parks, preserves, beaches, forests, islands, and wildlife sanctuaries, with detailed descriptions and visitor information for 50 sites and notes on dozens of others. The guide is packed with visual information -- the 1,500 full-color images include more than 1,300 photographs, 14 maps, and 16 night-sky charts, as well as 150 drawings explaining everything from geological processes to the basic features of different plants and animals.