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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 Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. These Sanctuaries encompass more than 4,000 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. These waters are 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 including deep-sea corals, sponges, shrimp, crabs, octopuses, and 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 them to take an active role in helping to monitor Sanctuary shores and conserve ocean wildlife. 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
Explorations & 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.
