California has always been an exceptional place. In the 1800s, the state’s ancient coast redwoods and sequoias generated disbelief on the East Coast: dwellers there imagined that photos of these giants were doctored. Our vibrant agriculture, teeming fisheries, spectacular forests, raging rivers—many of these wonders must be seen to be believed. And Californians adore their state: an explosion of wildflowers—like this spring’s superbloom—is enough to inspire a temporary mass migration to the state’s most remote corners. Californians care deeply about protecting the magic of this place we call home. But a highly engineered water system, heavily transformed landscapes, and a changing climate mean that much of what we hold dear is struggling.

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