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 Since 1968, PRBO Conservation Science has been studying the wildlife on the Farallon Islands. Located 27 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, the Southeast Farallon Islands are 96 acres of rocky terrain just a few miles from the edge of the continental shelf. The islands host the largest seabird breeding colony in the contiguous United States (over 300,000 seabirds of 13 species), are an important haul-out and breeding site for 5 species of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), as well as a unique feeding location for white sharks. In addition, the islands host other unique populations (plants, salamanders, insects, etc.) as well as being a stopover site for hundreds of species of migrant and vagrant landbirds.
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Live Farallon Webcam!
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Contact : Russ Bradley
PROJECTS
GOALS
Our long-term studies seek to advance both scientific discovery and conservation efforts.
Science Goals:
- Monitor long-term trends in populations of Farallon Wildlife
- Examine responses of wildlife and their prey to changing climate and ocean conditions
- Integrate individual level data from long-term studies to assess responses to climate change
- Develop indicators of environmental change
Management Goals:
- Inform direct management actions on the islands
- Help guide management of waters surrounding the island
- Contribute to management actions in a wide range of species
- Contribute to ecosystem-based management by developing ecosystem indicators
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NEW & OF INTEREST
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Listen to a podcast where PRBO Farallon Biologist Russ Bradley gives an update from the Farallon Islands brought to you by NOAA's Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary's Ocean Currents podcast with Jennifer Stock. Chris Pincetich, biologist from Sea Turtle Restoration Project also talks about the leatherback sea turtle. (49 minutes) Click HERE to listen to the May 5th, 2012 podcast. |
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Check out a recent (January 2012) Eye on the Bay CBS news story on the Farallones and our work out there! Click HERE to view.
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KQED Quest feature: Journey to the Farallones
Listen to podcasts, explore interactive maps, view photo gallery, and review the "reporter's notes".
Quest is A KQED Multimedia Series Exploring Northern California Science, Environment and Nature.
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Farallon Blog - Los Farallones!
Learn about life, birds, and marine mammals on the Farallon Islands, directly from the resident biologists' point of view!
It's Seabird season on the Farallones!
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INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Internships are offered year round on Southeast Farallon Island, during one of three research seasons. The winter season (December - March) primarily involves research on breeding elephant seals, the spring/summer season (March - August) focuses on breeding seabird studies, and the fall season (August - December) focuses on migrant landbird research.
All internships on Southeast Farallon Island are volunteer positions, though excellent food and housing are provided. Transportation to San Francisco is not provided. The minimum duration of internships is 8 weeks. While each season requires different duties, all interns are required to conduct rigorous fieldwork, often in poor weather. All interns will assist in maintenance of field camp and data entry and proofing.
Interested applicants should contact appropriate Farallon Biologists at least 4 months prior to their respective research season of interest. For more information on winter positions, contact Ryan Berger, for spring/summer positions contact Russ Bradley, and for fall positions contact Jim Tietz.
Click here for current internship availability at the Farallon Islands.
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RESOURCES & OUTREACH
The Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Predators and Prey of the Farallon Islands
US Fish & Wildlife Service's Farallon NWR brochure
Information, maps, and images of the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge
RESULTS
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PRBO's research on the Farallones and surrounding ecosystem has resulted in the establishment of:
- Three national marine sanctuaries and an International Biosphere Reserve, and a state ecological reserve.
- The 1993 California law protecting white sharks, a vital top predator in marine ecosystem dynamics; and,
- The 1985 campaign that ended gill net fishing and the catastrophic mortality of seabirds and marine mammals off California's central coast.
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- PRBO's intensive research has produced the longest data set on seabirds and marine mammals in North America and hundreds of scientific publications, reports, and popular articles. This information lays the foundation for understanding, protecting, and conserving this vital component of the California Current marine ecosystem.
- Refuge of the Year Award, 2008
Dale Hall, Chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service presented the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge with the Refuge of the Year Award for Environmental Leadership. The award recognizes the accomplishments the Refuge has achieved in recycling, reducing consumption, and environmental stewardship of the islands. It also highlighted the partnership with PRBO and other groups to implement creative recycling efforts including: recycling concrete foundations into bird habitat; re-vamping historic water catchment systems with a small business to become self-sufficient in water; building boardwalk bird habitat from recycled materials; and recycling gray water to flush toilets.
The award also emphasized the huge efforts made to reduce reliance on petroleum, specifically mentioning the solar photovoltaic system, and long-time contributions of PRBO's volunteer Farallon Patrol skippers, who "sail with a purpose" to get personnel and supplies to the island.
PARTNERS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The California Academy of Sciences
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