Posts Tagged ‘Early explorers and settlers’

Discovering San Francisco Bay

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Upon reaching the San Francisco Bay, Spanish explorers came upon the largest inland network of tidal wetlands and marshes they had ever seen. View these segments to learn

  • how Portolá discovered the San Francisco estuary by mistake.
  • how the appearance of the San Francisco Bay Area has changed dramatically since its discovery.
  • why the San Francisco Bay–Delta region is one of the most productive ecosystems in the western Americas.

Download the Viewing Guide for pre- and post-viewing discussion questions, activities, and additional resources to use with students.

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A Parade of Grasses

Monday, March 8th, 2010

The early visitors and settlers of the San Francisco Bay Area greatly impacted the flora and fauna of the region. View this segment to learn

  • about the impact Spanish, Russian, and American fur traders had on the sea otter population.
  • how native perennial grasses were replaced by exotic annual grasses.
  • about the role livestock played in changing the native landscape.

Download the Viewing Guide for pre- and post-viewing discussion questions, activities, and additional resources to use with students.

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Posted in 4-5, 9-12 | Comments Off on A Parade of Grasses