Bay of Life: From Wind to Whales

You are invited to a special evening of art, science, and conservation as renowned National Geographic photographer-writer team Frans Lanting and Chris Eckstrom share images, videos, and stories from their new book, Bay of Life: From Wind to Whales, followed by a conversation with Stanford scholars about the extraordinary biodiversity and human history of the Monterey Bay region.

About this event
California’s Monterey Bay region is the “hottest hotspot” for biodiversity in all of North America today, according to the Nature Conservancy. Yet a hundred years ago the region was more like a hotspot of ecological collapse. Onshore, the Santa Cruz Mountains had been clearcut, and there were few redwood trees left standing. Offshore, the marine resources of the bay had been decimated by whalers, sealers, and fishers. The recovery of Monterey Bay is a remarkable environmental success story that shows damaged ecosystems can be restored when people care and act together. It is a story of hope as we are faced with new challenges ranging from expanding inclusivity and diversity to improving natural resource stewardship, extending habitat connectivity, and mitigating impacts of climate change.

Following the presentation by Frans Lanting and Chris Eckstrom, distinguished Stanford professors Susan McConnell, Gretchen Daily,  Fiorenza Micheli, and David Kennedy will discuss Monterey Bay’s ecological recovery and forward looking challenges.

Lanting and Eckstrom’s new book, "Bay of Life: From Wind to Whales," documents how the region has recovered, telling a hopeful story of how damaged ecosystems can be restored when people care and take action together. Numerous organizations and institutions, including Stanford, have played key roles in the region’s ecological comeback. Bay of Life celebrates their achievements and ties together the work of scientists and conservationists in both marine and terrestrial fields.