Sea otter swimming in Elkhorn Slough

I'm the first person to admit that talk about the health of our planet can be pretty depressing. But I don't like feeling down. So I've dedicated this section of the Garden to stories that remind me to smile. Sometimes I want to smile just because I see something beautiful—or adorable—but frequently they also remind me of the great progress we are making. For example, at the beginning of the 20th century sea otters had been hunted to the point that many people thought they would go extinct. Thanks to human laws that protect them, they have recovered in many parts of their range.

The links on the left will take you to pages where you can learn more about my friends the otters, as well as other inspiring tales.