Author Talk: Bob Schneider
Join us to hear from local author Bob Schneider about the updated version of Exploring the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Region.
About the Author
Bob Schneider has worked with passion to protect public lands since his student volunteer days in the late 1960s to establish the Redwood National Park. He later cofounded both the California Wilderness Coalition in 1976 and Tuleyome in 2002. Bob most recently spearheaded a team of hard-working people and organizations to designate the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in 2015. He has a B.S. degree in geology from UC Davis, is married with two grown children, and lives in Davis.
About the Book
Nestled between the Central Valley and the Pacific Coast, the Berryessa Snow Mountain region is a place where California’s wild heart still beats strong. Here, condors once soared over oak-studded ridges, ancient volcanoes rose from the sea, and rivers carved their paths through folded mountains. This richly illustrated guide invites readers to explore one of the state’s least-known but most biologically and geologically diverse landscapes—a place of breathtaking beauty, deep history, and ongoing conservation. Blending natural history, geology, and human story, the authors reveal how plate tectonics built this land, how fire and serpentine soils shape its living communities, and how generations of people—from Native tribes to ranchers and scientists—have come to know and care for it. Whether used as a travel companion or an armchair exploration, this book is an invitation to see California anew, through the lens of one remarkable region.
Inside You’ll Find
An introduction to the geology, ecology, and cultural history of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and surrounding lands
Detailed road guides for exploring both northern and southern routes through the Monument Accessible explanations of plate tectonics, rock formations, and California’s dynamic landscapes
Descriptions of rare plants, wildlife, and serpentine ecosystems, and the role of fire in shaping them
Insight into Indigenous stewardship and modern conservation efforts, including the 2024 addition of Molok Luyuk and Tribal co-stewardship
Dozens of maps, photos, and diagrams to enhance field learning and appreciation
Recommendations for recreation, responsible exploration, and deeper engagement with this living landscape
