Tuesday January 6, 2026
Maven’s Notebook —
Historically, the Delta was a vast network of tidal wetlands interwoven with meandering channels. However, widespread land use changes beginning in the late 1800s have resulted in the loss of approximately 95% of this habitat. To address this significant loss, the 2022 update to the Delta Plan established ambitious targets for large-scale wetland restoration throughout the region.
Wetland restoration serves multiple purposes, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating flood risks, enhancing habitats, and supporting recreational opportunities. Another critical goal is to restore the health of the Delta’s food webs—the intricate networks of interactions between plants and animals that sustain the ecosystem.