For those of us living in the Bay Area today, it is hard to believe; but only a half century ago, San Francisco Bay wasn’t the kind of place you would host a word-class sailing event. Several decades of unchecked bayfill and urban sprawl had destroyed 90 percent of San Francisco Bay’s wetlands, the public had access to a mere six miles of shoreline, and the Bay was choked with raw sewage and industrial pollution.

In 1961, the tide began to turn. Three women in Berkeley – Sylvia McLaughlin, Kay Kerr and Esther Gulick – founded Save The Bay and in doing so, launched California’s first modern grassroots environmental movement. Decades before internet activism and years before regulatory agencies, these pioneers inspired thousands of members to join their cause and forced the State of California to acknowledge that the Bay belonged to the public. Fifty years later, Save The Bay continues to work exclusively to protect and restore our great natural treasure – San Francisco Bay.

To celebrate our 50^th anniversary, we created Battle for the Bay, a fun online quiz that highlights five decades of threats to San Francisco Bay.

Play Battle for the Bay! Test your knowledge of San Francisco Bay as you defeat the villains and threats of each decade. How it helps: for every player of the quiz, Save The Bay gets $1! To sweeten the deal, you’ll be entered to win an iPad2. PLUS - the local city with the most players gets a happy hour – on us. (San Francisco is currently in the lead, so tell all your Oakland friends!)  Play now.

Monica Canfield-Lenfest is Communications Assistant at Save The Bay. She is inspired by the legacy of activists who have ensured public access to a healthy San Francisco Bay.