Dale Swimer is a writer with two places she has called home for over 20 years: San Francisco and
Guerneville along the Russian River. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and works in biotech.

Dale is an active, opinionated environmentalist who follows California water issues in general, with a focus on the Russian River. Over the years, she has seen the river’s water quality decline due to pollution and overdemand. In her efforts to protect the Russian River, she engages with local fishermen, boat owners, river residents, scientists, winery staff, wine bar owners, environmental groups, friends, family, politically connected individuals, urban planners, neighbors, and new acquaintances. Together, they foster a greater collective knowledge of the river, which includes pollutants — like pesticides and nitrates from the wineries intentionally put into the river — and the haphazard consequences of poor decisions.