Exploring the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Region, a new book by Marc Hoshovsky, Peter Schiffman, Bob Schneider, and Tim Messick (Backcountry Press, 2026)
June 18, 2026
7:00 – 8:00 PM (Via Zoom)
Marc Hoshovsky
Naturalist and Author
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Discover one of California's most extraordinary yet under-recognized landscapes, located less than 2 hours drive west and south of Chico – the Berryessa Snow Mountain region. Our speaker, Marc Hoshovsky, will help us better understand this region, why the region is so fascinating, and why it is now designated as the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
This region has world renowned geology, extraordinary biodiversity, and rich cultural history, revealing a story unlike any other in California. Geologically, it is a wild expanse of ancient subduction zones, uplifted ocean crust, and volcanic seamounts that have attracted geologists from all over the world. It is a biological hotspot with many different habitats, including large areas of serpentinite rich in rare species, and it provides important habitat connectivity. This land is the traditional home to many Native peoples and has a rich history of 19th-century mining and mineral spring resorts. Marc will also tell us about different ways we can all get out and explore this region.
More information about this region can be found in the newly published guidebook, Exploring the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Region, that Marc co-authored with Peter Schiffman, Bob Schneider, and Tim Messick. Available through Backcountry Press, this book is written for the general public, and it is richly illustrated with color photographs, maps, and sidebars that bring the region’s stories to life.
The book’s authors, based in Davis, incorporate a wealth of personal knowledge and expertise about the region into their new book. Marc has degrees in ecology and geology and, after retiring from California state government service in natural resources, now spends his time as a naturalist educating others about the natural world around them. Peter Schiffman was a retired UC Davis geology professor who unfortunately passed away as the book was being written. Bob Schneider is a long-time public lands conservation advocate who spearheaded a team to designate the National Monument. Bob also has a B.S. degree in geology from UC Davis. Tim Messick is a retired botanist, cartographer, photographer.