Posts Tagged ‘Resource depletion’

The Aftermath of the Gold Rush: Mining and Mercury in the Bay

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Mercury-laden sediments from mining operations in the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges still enter the vast network of streams and rivers that feed into San Francisco Bay. The mining activity dates as far back as California’s Gold Rush era. View this segment to learn

  • how hydraulic mining techniques caused massive amounts of sediment to enter the San Francisco Bay watershed.
  • where mercury (which was needed to separate gold from ore) was mined in the Bay Area.
  • about the mercury that persists in area rivers and its toxic effects in the food chain.

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Posted in 6-8, 9-12 | Comments Off on The Aftermath of the Gold Rush: Mining and Mercury in the Bay

The Oaks of Oakland

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Oak trees are an integral part of the ecology of California. At one point, Oakland and Alameda were home to an impressive stand of live oak trees. View this segment to learn about the incredible oak woodland that was once in Oakland and Alameda.

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

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Fish Tales: Salmon and Herring Fisheries of San Francisco Bay

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Fisheries in the San Francisco Bay have ranged from successful bonanza to complete collapse. View this segment to learn about

  • past fisheries in San Francisco Bay that were hugely successful.
  • why the salmon fishery in the San Francisco Bay–Delta region collapsed in 1884.
  • the only surviving commercial fishery in San Francisco Bay waters.

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 9-12 | Comments Off on Fish Tales: Salmon and Herring Fisheries of San Francisco Bay

The Chinese Shrimp Fishery

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Most of the fishermen in San Francisco Bay were immigrants from both European and Asian countries. View this segment to learn

  • about different immigrant groups that brought different fishing traditions from their home countries.
  • that Chinese immigrants fished in great numbers, especially for shrimp and smelt.
  • about the discriminatory attitudes and practices towards Chinese fisherman that were prevalent in the 19th century.
  • about the many factors contributed to the decline of the San Francisco Bay fishing industry.

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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