What are we doing here?

Southeast Farallon Island Studies

The goal of PRBO's Farallon Island project is to understand, protect and conserve the island ecosystem and its globally significant marine bird and mammal populations.

For over 30 years PRBO scientists have provided year-round stewardship to wildlife on these islands through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 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.

Southeast Farallon Island-"Galapagos" of the U.S. :

The Farallon Islands are home to the largest seabird and marine mammal colonies in the continental United States south of Alaska. Established as a National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in 1909, the Farallones and surrounding ocean environment have been recognized by the United Nations and governmental agencies as a site of hemispheric biological importance and have been designated as an International Biosphere Reserve, a National Marine Sanctuary, and a State Ecological Reserve. For more information, maps, and images of the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, download a copy of US Fish & Wildlife Service's Farallon NWR brochure. To read more about the Farallon NWR and PRBO's science, visit our In the News page.