What does crowdfunding for the wetlands look like? In 2007 alone, humans used the equivalent of 1.5 planets to support their activities. Read this interview with Dr. Arnas Palaima to learn about why the wetlands need to be protected.

Ecology, Conservation and Restoration of Tidal Marshes: the San Francisco Estuary is a collaborative effort of 38 outstanding scientists from academia, as well as non-profit and government organizations, in which the wealth of knowledge available on wetlands of the San Francisco Bay is summarized and integrated. The book addresses wetland geomorphology, toxicology, climate change impact, taxonomy, ecosystem services, policy and conservation. The purpose of this book is to review and integrate such knowledge and make it available to a broader audience with a hope that old mistakes are not repeated and new awareness is spread and implemented.

What is the inspiration behind the book?

Palaima: This project was initiated when I started working with San Francisco Bay wetlands some years ago. The beauty of wetlands along the bay, its wildlife, its tranquility and diversity made a huge impact on me. At the same time, I knew that over the last 150 years San Francisco Estuary tidal marshes decreased in area by 78%, from 190,000 to 40,000 acres.

Wetlands represent just one example of an ecosystem in which historical and current states accurately reflect the above mentioned trend. Despite their value to human life (as well as their intrinsic value), wetlands have been rapidly declining around the world over the last century as they surrender land to the demands of land development.

Over time, the San Francisco Bay wetlands have experienced it all: undervaluation and destruction, research and monitoring, public education, protection policy failures and achievements, and conservation and restoration efforts.

The purpose of this book is to review and integrate such knowledge and make it available to a broader audience with a hope that old mistakes are not repeated and new awareness is spread and implemented.

What was the most unanticipated story?

Palaima: The enthusiasm of people about wetlands and willing to donate their time and energy to the project while working on their everyday jobs–write chapters, review them, improve them (many times!), or simply say- thank you! That’s something that I will never forget.

Do you have any recommendations for people who want to crowd source their book?

Palaima: This is the first time for me doing crowd funding so I learn while doing it. What I have learned so far that help might come from the least expected places so I am very positive about the whole experience.

Arnas Palaima is an aquatic ecologist by training and is now directing the Ecological Economics Innovations Center. He is also author of well-cited scientific publications and one book monograph (2010). A generalist with depth, he is passionate about positive solutions that address current state of global environment and their relevance to the benefit of human society.

To learn more about this project, visit their page here.

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