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Greater Farallones Association conserves the wildlife and habitats of Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries through scientific research, environmental education, and community-based conservation. Through high-impact programs rooted in science, we engage over 14,000 adults and youth a year in ocean conservation, collect critical data and research on globally-significant wildlife in the Sanctuaries, restore vital habitats, and help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change through nature-based solutions.
Just beyond the Golden Gate lies an underwater national park called the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. The Sanctuary encompasses 3,295 square miles of federally-protected open ocean and coastal waters off the North-central California coast and one of the most productive and biodiverse ocean ecosystems on the planet.
The upwelling of a unique and powerful current within Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is responsible for creating one of the most spectacular and biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet. It is home to one of the largest feeding grounds for white sharks, 29 species of whales and dolphins, over 390 species of fish, and over 330 species of invertebrates – deep-sea corals, sponges, shrimp, crabs, octopuses, and much more.
Our organization is unique in that every program incorporates local communities in achieving its goals. We engage nearly 14,000 adults and youth per year from the San Francisco Bay Area, and empower citizens to take a hands-on role in monitoring and conserving Sanctuary waters and coastlines. We are committed to high-impact programs rooted in science that provide educational opportunities for our community and protect the environment around us.
Science
Conservation
Education
“You really feel like you’re making a contribution to something much bigger than yourself, but your focus is on your beach, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. We are all on this planet together, and Beach Watch is a small part of what it will take to keep it healthy.”
– Anne Kelley, Beach Watch volunteer since 2012
“It’s an incredible opportunity for my students, universally respected as something real and important. The LiMPETS scientists and educators are fantastic ambassadors for the oceans.”
– Teacher Jon Lew
Public Programs & Events
Volunteer Opportunities
Ocean Birthday Parties
Greater Farallones Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 1995 to help ensure the ecosystem within Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary remains an biologically diverse and globally significant ocean environment. We work to sustain a healthy and resilient ocean through conservation, science, education, and community involvement.
