Address and Phone Number: 3820 Cypress Drive #11 Petaluma, CA 94954 707-781-2555 Come Visit Us! visiting hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Directions
View of our SF Bay Research Center. Photo shows entrance from Shollenberger Park wetlands looking east at the northern reaches of San Francisco Bay.
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In a time of ever increasing threats to wildlife and ecosystems, with potentially grave socio-economic consequences, PRBO Conservation Science (PRBO) is uniquely poised to help ensure that conservation investments yield the most for birds, biodiversity and human society well into the 21st century.
As a result of soaring demand for our scientific expertise, PRBO has quadrupled in size over the past decade. To expand upon our achievements and to help address global ecological challenges from climate change and biodiversity loss to spread of infectious disease, we constructed our new San Francisco Bay Research Center, a state-of-the-art hub for PRBO's research, training, and outreach.
PRBO’s Conservation Science for a Lasting Legacy campaign is providing:
an urgently needed research complex and enduring foundation for PRBO’s San Francisco Bay conservation initiative,
professional quality office, meeting and lab space for our growing staff, visiting scientists and conservation biology interns working in wetland, marine and terrestrial ecosystems,
cutting edge communications technologies (unavailable in west Marin) to link our highly dispersed field staff and field offices, and to advance PRBO’s data and information management, analysis, dissemination and exchange capabilities,
increased access to more affordable housing for our staff, and,
long term financial stability by providing significant unrestricted assets.
Guests do some birding from the top floor during our building dedication event
Looking toward the future:
Our Lasting Legacy fundraising goal is $8.3 million including $6.2 million for the Center, $500,000 to upgrade existing research stations and initiate new field station partnerships, and $1.6 million to build an endowment. Approximately $5.5 million has been raised to date! We are happy to discuss naming opportunities to address the interests of our supporters. All donors, unless indicated as anonymous, will be acknowledged. Major gifts will be given additional recognition at prominent location(s) in the Center.
PRBO’s Lasting Legacy campaign is permanently securing our ability to drive effective, science-based conservation. Thank you for joining with us to create an enduring legacy and a healthy, sustainable future for birds, other wildlife and our communities.
The Center is a 19,780 square foot office condominium (part of a 36,000 square foot building). It is located at the southeast corner of Petaluma’s urban growth boundary. Adjacent to a 261-acre parcel of newly protected wetlands and uplands, and with direct access out of our front door to Shollenberger Park, a popular haven for birders and nature lovers on the Petaluma River, opportunities abound for public outreach and engagement of new members.
The inside of the building is furnished with ecologically friendly carpeting, paint, office cubbies, shades, tiling and countertops. We also use diffused light from skylights accompanied by energy efficient light bulbs to conserve energy. For more information please contact our building manager at 707-781-2555 ext 311.
The outside of the building is landscaped with native plants thanks to the help of PRBO's long time friend and landscaper, Anne Young. PWA is also making strong effoerts to remove non-native invasive plants around Shollenberger Marsh and replace them with native plants that support more diverse native wildlife, often with the help of local school goups.
Entrance to PRBO's SF Bay Research Center. 3 March 2006
View of Shollenberger Marsh from second floor balcony of
PRBO's SF Bay Research Center
From Highway 101 (north or south): Take 101 to Petaluma. Take Lakeville Hwy., 116 East exit. Turn onto Lakeville (LEFT or east bound), go approximately 3 blocks from highway overpass. Turn right onto South McDowell. Turn right onto Cypress, second building on right. Follow parking lot to the back end at Shollenberger Park wetlands.
From I-80, Central Valley and points east: I-80 to 37 East towards Napa and
San Rafael. From Hwy 37 go north (right) on Lakeville Hwy. (also Hwy. 116) at the stop light (just east of Petaluma River bridge). Head north 9 miles or so. Make first left on to Pine View Way at office complex and follow Pine View to the end. Make a right onto Cypress. Our building is on the left. Follow parking lot to the back end at Shollenberger Park wetlands.
From West Marin: Take Point Reyes-Petaluma Rd to Petaluma's D Street. Turn right onto Lakeville. Turn right onto South McDowell. Turn right onto Cypress, second building on right. Follow parking lot to the back end at Shollenberger Park wetlands.
Alternate Scenic Route: From Hwy 37 go north on Lakeville Hwy. (also Hwy. 116) at the Hwy. 116 stop light (just east of Petaluma R. bridge). Head north 9 miles or so. Make first left on to Pine View Way at office complex and follow Pine View to the end. Make a right onto Cypress. Our building is on the left. Follow parking lot to the back end at Shollenberger Park wetlands.
Palomarin Field Station and other West Marin County Locations In addition to our new capacity in Petaluma, PRBO will maintain a major presence in West Marin in cooperation with Point Reyes National Seashore including our long term partnership at the Palomarin Field Station. PRBO's bird ecology research and conservation guidance will continue throughout Marin County in partnership with the Seashore, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California State Parks, Marin Municipal Water District, private landowners and other interests to best protect our natural resources.
Partners at Shollenberger Park Petaluma Wetlands Alliance (PWA) staff and volunteers are leaders in conservation and education at Shollenberger Park. PRBO is excited to collaborate with PWA. For an excellent history of Shollenberger, birding information, and much more, please visit Petaluma Wetlands Alliance's website.
