On the Central Coast of California, one of the largest watersheds is the Salinas River, encompassing 4,160 square miles in two counties. Prior to its over-drafting, the Salinas supported enormous steelhead runs. The health and vitality of the Salinas River has been in decline for decades due to a variety of factors, including poor land use management, water operations, reduced habitat, and recreational activities. Although steelhead still exist in the Salinas River, their yearly numbers have been dramatically reduced and there is concern they may be extirpated from the watershed. Once an incredibly diverse ecosystem supporting oak woodlands and a wide variety of species from brown bear to beaver to steelhead, it is now a depleted and dysfunctional river in need of life support. Biodiversity First! is underwriting a full study and the development of a management plan to bring the Salinas back to health and vitality, and to restore the many ecosystems dependent upon it.