The Farallon Islands Need Your Help

Despite receiving a share of a federal grant this year, Point Blue Conservation Science (Point Blue) needs our help to maintain its research programs at the Farallon Islands. According to SFGate, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced in February that Point Blue was to receive $1 million of the $12 million Community Project Funding available to various community projects in San Francisco. Point Blue is a nonprofit that aims to promote environmental conservation through research, outreach and community partnerships, and says the funding will support upgrades for water, power and accessibility on the Farallon Islands. But with the slashing of the Farallon Island research program’s regular government funding last year, $1 million is a small drop in the ocean when one considers the vastness of the wildlife and ecosystems that the islands support.

Latitude 38 friend and reader Winston Bumpus shared the following description of why and how our help is needed:

“The Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most remarkable places on the California coast. Just 27 miles west of San Francisco, these rugged islands rise where the continental shelf drops into deep water, at the heart of one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. Many sailors know the Farallones as a distant waypoint, but few experience what makes them truly extraordinary. For nearly 60 years, Point Blue Conservation Science has maintained a year-round research presence on the islands, working in close collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to understand and protect this unique place.

“The islands support the largest seabird breeding colony south of Alaska, with more than half a million birds, including half of the world’s ashy storm-petrels. They are also home to thriving populations of California sea lions, northern fur seals, elephant seals and harbor seals. The surrounding waters host one of the most important white shark feeding areas in the eastern Pacific. Beyond the island, Point Blue leads ACCESS (Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies) in partnership with NOAA’s Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries, tracking ocean conditions, krill, seabirds and whales. Together, these efforts represent one of the longest-running and most comprehensive marine ecosystem datasets on the West Coast!

“For the sailing community, this work connects directly to your time on the water, improving our understanding of whale distribution, changing ocean conditions, and the living system offshore. We invite you to be part of it. Through our Farallon Patrol Program, experienced mariners can help transport staff and supplies to the islands and contribute valuable observations from the field. You can also support this work as a Farallones Steward or through your annual giving. Whether you volunteer, donate, or help spread the word, you are helping ensure that this extraordinary place continues to inform science, stewardship and safe passage offshore for years to come.”

Skipper Larry Hall of the 1999 Beneteau Oceanis 461 Francesca is a volunteer with the Farallon Patrol, established by Charlie Merrill in 1972. In March 2025 we shared Larry’s story about what he called “a mission with a purpose.” His mission was to ferry vital supplies and research personnel to the islands.

Three researchers from Point Blue Conservation Science were to trade places — the departing researchers would sail home with Larry and his crew, along with a cargo of waste accumulated on the island. A bonus of the day’s “work” was a circumnavigation of the island, which Larry described as “an awe-inspiring reminder of the island’s raw beauty and the untamed power of the ocean. [T]he beauty of the arches along the coast, which looked like massive keyholes carved by centuries of wind and water. The power of the sea was palpable as the waves crashed against the rocks, and we couldn’t help but marvel at the forces of nature at work.” This is only one of the ways you can help. Another is to engage in stewardship.

“As a Steward of the Farallon Islands, you play a vital role in protecting one of California’s most extraordinary wildlife refuges. Your commitment sustains year-round science, safeguards seabirds, seals, sharks and whales, and ensures that discoveries made here continue to guide ocean conservation across the West Coast.”

Stewards enjoy the following benefits:

• Visit the Farallon Islands on a Farallon Patrol supply trip to meet scientists and witness thriving wildlife.
• Join an ACCESS ocean research cruise with Point Blue’s team and take part in real field research.
• Attend the annual Stewards Dinner to connect with fellow supporters and Farallon biologists.
• Receive seasonal research and impact updates.
• Know that your support makes a lasting difference for the environment.

To learn more or become a Steward, contact Nancy Gamble at [email protected] or Bennett Smith at [email protected].

Or, to join the Farallon Patrol, go to www.pointblue.org/engage-with-us, under Volunteer.

If you’re still on that fence, check out this video by local filmmaker Omar Alami.