Planet California

S01E01 Rivers of Gold

California embodies extremes—boasting the tallest peaks, the deepest valleys, and the hottest deserts. This diverse landscape hosts an incredible array of wildlife, including gray whales navigating the California Current, mountain lions roaming the Sierra Nevada, and towering redwoods that draw moisture from the atmosphere. However, in an increasingly parched world, the delicate balance of this ecosystem faces serious challenges from drought, dams, and wildfires, all threatening the interconnected waterways that sustain life across land, sky, and ocean.