Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Urban art at the Albany Bulb on the East Bay shore, a former landfill site. “Our lady
of the trash” continues a half-century-old tradition of shoreline sculpture made of
driftwood, trash, old tires, discarded construction materials, and household casta-
ways. (Max Eissler)
measure of contaminant levels), the frequency of beach closures due to
bacterial pollution or other factors, and the quality of local drinking water
sources. An update to the scorecard was slated for 2011.
Over the long term, the scorecard—just one form of measurement
among many—suggests that most bay health indices are getting worse
rather than better, save in the realm of water quality. But compared to
where the region was a century ago, many scientists and activists see a sea
change in public attitudes—from a time of degrading the bay to a time of
cherishing it.
“Whether it's the most altered estuary in the world or not, it has enor-
mous potential for restoration and revitalization and the support of the
public. And we in turn have deep cultural ability to change and remake
ourselves as a community that's a healthy part of the California coast,” says
Save the Bay's David Lewis.
