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The Great Un-Daming: Healing the Klamath and the Evolution of California Agriculture

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The Great Un-Daming: Healing the Klamath and the Evolution of California Agriculture ​The removal of four massive hydroelectric dams along the Klamath River in 2024 was more than a technical feat; it was the conclusion of a century-long political and environmental struggle. Today, as the river flows freely for the first time in generations, the region is grappling with a new reality—one defined by the memory of ecological collapse and the difficult transition of the farming communities that call the basin home. ​ The Catalyst: A River of Dead Salmon ​The modern political movement to remove the dams was forged in tragedy. In September 2002, the Klamath River became the site of one of the largest fish kills in United States history. Following a federal decision to prioritize upstream irrigation during a severe drought, water levels in the lower river dropped dangerously low. ​The resulting shallow, warm, and stagnant pools became a breeding ground for pathogens like Ich (white spot ...
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Ms. Rivers at Bioneers:

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Ms. Rivers at Bioneers The Gift Economy of the Forest A spoken reflection by Ms Rivers representing WikiExplorers at the Bioneers Conference, University of California, Berkeley, March 26, 2026.  Ms. Rivers stepped to the podium and looked out over the gathering. Scientists, farmers, educators, artists, and students had come together to think about the future of the Earth. She paused for a moment before speaking. When we walk into a forest,  most of us see trees.  Tall trunks.  Branches reaching toward the sky.  Leaves moving gently in the wind. We think we are looking at individuals. But the forest tells another story. Beneath the soil, hidden from our eyes,  roots stretch outward like quiet hands reaching for one another. Fine strands of fungi weave through the earth, connecting tree to tree. Scientists call this system a  Mycorrhizal network.  Through this network, trees share nutrients. They send signals. They help one another survive. In the l...
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The Gift Economy of the Forest

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The Gift Economy of the Forest A reflective essay for WikiExplorers In the quiet of a forest, something remarkable is happening. Most people see trees standing apart—individual trunks rising from the soil, leaves moving gently in the wind. To the casual observer, each tree seems to live its life alone. But the forest tells a different story. Beneath the surface of the earth lies a vast living network. Roots spread through the soil, touching and overlapping. Fine strands of fungi weave their way between them, forming intricate pathways that connect tree to tree. Scientists call this underground system a Mycorrhizal network. Through this network, trees share nutrients, send chemical signals, and sometimes even help weaker trees survive. In this way, the forest operates as a living community studied in  Forest Ecology. Older trees often pass sugars and minerals through the soil to younger seedlings. A tree under attack by insects can send warning signals through the network, allowing ...
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WikiExplorers Story - The Council of Trees

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  WikiExplorers Story -  The Council of Trees Inspired by the ecological ideas explored by Harriet Rix and the science of  Forest Ecology. The story also reflects the idea of community exchange described by  Marcel Mauss. The Forest Walk One quiet morning the young WikiExplorers followed Ms. Rivers into a deep forest. Tall trees stretched high into the sky. Sunlight filtered softly through the leaves. “Today,” Ms. Rivers said gently, “we are going to visit the Council of Trees.” “The council?” Maya asked. “Yes,” Ms. Rivers replied. “Every forest has elders.” They walked until they reached a clearing where several enormous trees stood in a wide circle. Their trunks were thick with age. Their branches stretched outward like open arms. “These trees have lived here for centuries,” Ms. Rivers said. “They have seen storms, fires, and many seasons.” Leo looked around. “They look like they are standing in a meeting.” Ms. Rivers smiled. “In a way, they are.” The Hidden Counci...
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WikiExplorers “The Secret Life of Trees

Below two  WikiExplorers Children's stories inspired by the work of Harriet Rix and the science of Forest Ecology. WikiExplorers Learning Session “The Secret Life of Trees” Location: Harlem WikiExplorers Learning Lab Teacher: Ms. Rivers Topic: How trees communicate and shape ecosystems Opening Ms. Rivers placed a large photograph of an old oak tree on the table. “Today,” she said, “we are going to explore something surprising. Many scientists now believe that forests behave like living communities.  Trees share nutrients, communicate through chemicals, and protect each other.” She wrote two words on the board: Tree Intelligence “Writers like Harriet Rix help us understand how trees survive and cooperate in forests.” Step 1 – Wikipedia Exploration The students opened their laptops. Ms. Rivers gave the first assignment. Explore Wikipedia articles about: Plant communication Mycorrhizal network Forest ecology The students also opened Wikidata to see how scientific knowledge is org...
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Harriet Rix [2]

​ Harriet Rix ​ Harriet Rix is a British tree science consultant, researcher, and author. She is best known for her 2025 work, The Genius of Trees , which explores the biochemical and environmental agency of forests. Rix has worked extensively in the fields of arboriculture, landmine clearance, and environmental history. ​ Early life and education ​Rix was raised in Devon, England. She attended the University of Oxford, where she earned a degree in biochemistry. She subsequently attended the University of Cambridge, completing an MPhil in the History and Philosophy of Science, with a research focus on Ottoman science. ​ Career ​Landmine clearance ​Prior to her work in tree science, Rix worked in the Middle East in the humanitarian sector. She served with the HALO Trust and Danish Church Aid, focusing on landmine and improvised explosive device (IED) clearance in Iraq and Syria. Rix has cited her observations of the landscape during this period—specifically an oak tree growing t...
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The Arboreal Architect: How Harriet Rix is Redefining Our Relationship with Trees

  The Arboreal Architect: How Harriet Rix is Redefining Our Relationship with Trees ​For centuries, humanity has viewed trees as the silent, static backdrop to our own history—resource-rich but ultimately passive. However, the work of tree scientist and author Harriet Rix is rapidly dismantling that perspective. With the 2025 release of her acclaimed book, The Genius of Trees: How They Mastered the Elements and Shaped the World , Rix presents a compelling case for trees not just as biological organisms, but as sophisticated environmental engineers. ​ From Conflict Zones to Conservation ​Rix’s path to becoming a leading voice in arboriculture was anything but linear. After studying biochemistry at Oxford and the history of science at Cambridge, she spent years working in landmine clearance with the HALO Trust in Iraq and Syria. Witnessing firsthand how conflict strips landscapes of their ecological dignity, Rix shifted her focus from the remnants of war to the resilience of the ...
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