A Brief History
The timeline below highlights the evolution of the Bay, the surrounding region, Save The Bay itself, and our efforts to restore and protect through landmark campaigns.
A Brief History
The timeline below highlights the evolution of the Bay, the surrounding region, Save The Bay itself, and our efforts to restore and protect through landmark campaigns.
Pioneering Women Started A Movement
Sylvia McLaughlin, Kay Kerr, and Esther Gulick read the same 1961 Oakland Tribune article, which predicted a dire fate for San Francisco Bay if reckless development continued. Where others turned the page, this trio challenged massive companies, wealthy landowners, and powerful politicians. They truly started a movement to Save The Bay.
Their courage has inspired us to spark lasting change for San Francisco Bay. Here’s a look at our biggest milestones across the decades.
1961
Sylvia McLAughlin, Kay Kerr, and Esther Gulick take action against filling of the Bay and create Save San Francisco Bay Association, now known as Save The Bay.
1961
Sylvia McLAughlin, Kay Kerr, and Esther Gulick take action against filling of the Bay and create Save San Francisco Bay Association, now known as Save The Bay.
1969
California legislature votes to make the Bay Conservation and Development Commission a permanent agency, regulating the use of the Bay and its shoreline.
1980
Save The Bay helps drive a successful campaign to defeat an enormous Bay fill proposal in Berkeley.
1982
Played and integral role in the defeat of Proposition 9, a ballot measure to halt a peripheral canal that threatened to divert fresh water from the Bay and Delta.
1995
Led successful campaign to defeat Governor Pete Wilson’s proposal to eliminate the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, based on Bay shipping and dredging interests.
1997
Launched the Education and Canoes in Sloughs programs that provided a curriculum to students about the Bay’s vibrant ecosystem.
2000
Launched community-based wetlands restoration program and published Protecting Local Wetlands: A Toolbox for Your Community.
2003
Defeated San Francisco International Airport’s plan to fill in two square miles of the Bay for reconfigured runways.
2006
Won Excellence in Restoration Award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
2008
Restoration programs reach new heights with a total of 10 sites, more than 40,000 volunteers, and about 100,000 plants grown and outplanted.
2011
Celebrate 50 Years!
Led winning campaign to pass San Jose ordinance banning distribution of free plastic shopping bags.
2011
Celebrate 50 Years!
Led winning campaign to pass San Jose ordinance banning distribution of free plastic shopping bags.
2014
Governor Jerry Brown signs statewide plastic bag ban into law.
2015
Save the Bay Action Fund is established to pursue electoral efforts for the Bay.
2016
After a decade of planning and campaigning a parcel tax proposed by Save the Bay to generate $500 million for Bay Wetlands restoration—Measure AA—is passed by Bay area residents.
2017
Secured $20 million in the state’s first parks and water bond since 2006 to match Measure AA funds.