It's time for bold new approaches to link delta science and policymaking

California’s Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta is widely recognized as a highly damaged
ecosystem. The Delta is also emblematic of a growing sense worldwide that society
needs to do a better job of using scientific knowledge to guide conservation and
resource management policies. Fortunately, we now have an unprecedented opportunity
to get it right in building structures that support effective science–policy linkages
in the Delta. By adopting bold steps to implement a “one Delta, one science” approach
for a new Delta Science Plan, California can become a leading example of how to
tackle the global problem of rapid ecological change and biodiversity loss.

In this essay, we first describe the current paradox—continued environmental declines
despite considerable investments in science and policy actions—and the high stakes of
gambling with failure. Next, we explore why it is so hard to use scientific knowledge
to design and implement policies that meet society’s sustainability goals. We then
outline promising ways to overcome these obstacles, drawing on recent experiences.
We conclude with thoughts on how to leverage this experience to develop a bold new
approach to Delta science.