Vacationers visiting San Francisco between May and November have an opportunity to see and enjoy one of the world's most unique ecosystems, and it is situated just 27 miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Environmental protection in the early 20th Century
One hundred years ago, Theodore Roosevelt recognized the ecological significance of a small group of barren islands located off the picturesque northern California coast - and created The Farallones Wildlife Refuge.
Millions of years in the making
This tight grouping of desolate granite islands was formed over several million years when pieces of the continental plate slowly pushed up above the deep water's surface. The sea around the Farallones plummets to depths of one-mile and more.
The shadowy waters and changing currents contribute to one of the most amazing biological phenomenon on our planet. This is a place where huge congregations of plant plankton are eaten by animal plankton, which in turn provide an endless food supply for all manner of larger species including the mighty humpback and blue whale.
An animal refuge of immense proportion
The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary also attracts seals and sea lions, large schools of dolphins, and sharks - including the voracious Great White, which can sometimes be seen hunting for a seal meal right off the rocky shore.
A bird watchers paradise
The lonely Farallones are refuge for the largest seabird rookery in the continental United States. Like ants covering bleak white hills, as many as 250,000 birds of 12 species inhabit and breed on the chilly tall cliffs and rocky crevices of the stark islands. Another 35 species of migrant seabirds pay an annual visit.
Humans on the Farallones
Through the years, the Farallones have been inhabited by Russian sealers, and American egg harvesters. However, after the Wildlife Refuge was created in 1909, only lighthouse keepers and the military remained on the main island, and they left when the Coast Guard automated the lighthouse in 1972. Today, only a few scientists are allowed to go ashore to study on the islands.
Non-invasive public access tours
Environmental protection in the early 20th Century
One hundred years ago, Theodore Roosevelt recognized the ecological significance of a small group of barren islands located off the picturesque northern California coast - and created The Farallones Wildlife Refuge.
Millions of years in the making
This tight grouping of desolate granite islands was formed over several million years when pieces of the continental plate slowly pushed up above the deep water's surface. The sea around the Farallones plummets to depths of one-mile and more.
The shadowy waters and changing currents contribute to one of the most amazing biological phenomenon on our planet. This is a place where huge congregations of plant plankton are eaten by animal plankton, which in turn provide an endless food supply for all manner of larger species including the mighty humpback and blue whale.
An animal refuge of immense proportion
The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary also attracts seals and sea lions, large schools of dolphins, and sharks - including the voracious Great White, which can sometimes be seen hunting for a seal meal right off the rocky shore.
A bird watchers paradise
The lonely Farallones are refuge for the largest seabird rookery in the continental United States. Like ants covering bleak white hills, as many as 250,000 birds of 12 species inhabit and breed on the chilly tall cliffs and rocky crevices of the stark islands. Another 35 species of migrant seabirds pay an annual visit.
Humans on the Farallones
Through the years, the Farallones have been inhabited by Russian sealers, and American egg harvesters. However, after the Wildlife Refuge was created in 1909, only lighthouse keepers and the military remained on the main island, and they left when the Coast Guard automated the lighthouse in 1972. Today, only a few scientists are allowed to go ashore to study on the islands.
Non-invasive public access tours
|
|