The 2008 GGNRA Endangered Species Big Year
is a race against time to see—and save—the Park's endangered species.
The GGNRA contains more endangered species than any other National Park in continental North America. This is certainly cause for celebration, but also for concern. Take part in the Big Year and get to know these species while helping them recover.
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About the 2008 Big Year
The 2008 Golden Gate National Recreation Area Endangered Species Big Year is a race against time to observe each of the 33 endangered and threatened species found within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, while taking 33 discrete conservation recovery actions that will prevent these species from going extinct. It is a competitive event: the person who sees and helps the most species between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008, will win the Big Year.
The GGNRA Endangered Species Big Year will enable you to explore the diverse habitats of the GGNRA while helping each of the 33 endangered and threatened species that call the Park home. In the process, we hope you will discover the humility, compassion, and hope embodied in the legal protections for this land and our imperiled neighbors.
How It Works
· Sign-up for the 2008 Golden Gate National Parks Endangered Species Big Year and download your checklist of the 33 listed species found in the GGNRA and the 33 conservation action items you can take to help these species recover.
· Check-out the Calendar of Endangered Species Big Year events for special trips to observe endangered species and opportunities to help them recover, and sign-up for some trips. Or explore the park on your own.
· In order to check one of the 33 federally protected threatened or endangered species off your list, you must observe the species alive while you and/or the species are within the GGNRA's legislative boundary.
· If you are within the legislative boundary but the species is outside of the legislative boundary (for example, you witness a Humpback Whale breaching 5 miles off the coast while you are standing on Ocean Beach) you can still count it as a sighting. Similarly, if the species is inside the boundary but you are outside of the boundary when you observe it, you may still count it as a sighting. However, if both the species and you are outside the legislative boundary when you observe it, you may not count it as a sighting.
· In order to check one of the 33 conservation action items off your list, you need to complete the specific conservation action item listed on the checklist: no substitutions allowed. The action items are located at the bottom of each species' page.
· All participants must agree to comply with the Endangered Species Big Year’s Ethical Principles. No exceptions.
· All sightings and all conservation action items must be completed no sooner than 12:00:00 a.m. on January 1, 2008, and no later than 11:59:59 p.m. on December 31, 2008.
· The Big Year runs on the honor system. No one will be looking over your shoulder to make sure you fill out your checklist accurately, but highly unusual sightings may be subject to verification.
· Enter all of your sightings on the Big Year web site.
· Sign-up for an e-mail alert so you’ll be the first to know when a Southern Sea Otter is spotted off Ocean Beach or the San Bruno Elfin Butterfly is flying.
· Interact with other participants on each species' Big Year profile: it works like comments on a blog.
"The San Francisco Bay Area is in the forefront around the country for environmental consciousness and commitment to sustainability. Yet in our own backyard, we're driving these species to the brink of extinction," said Brent Plater, the Big Year director who took on the project as member of the Sierra Club's National Wildlife and Endangered Species Committee. He also works as a visiting assistant professor at Golden Gate University's School of Law's Environmental Law and Justice Clinic. – SF Chronicle, Jan 2, 2008
http://www.sfgate.com/cgibin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/02/BA3OTOQ57.DTL&hw=jane%20kay
For more media articles on the Big Year, go to http://www.ggnrabigyear.org/articles.html
Upcoming January Events
http://www.ggnrabigyear.org/calendar.html
Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 5:30 p.m.: Brent Plater presents an overview of the 2008 Golden Gate National Recreation Area Endangered Species Big Year to the Commonwealth Club of California. Everyone is welcome. $8 for Commonwealth Club members; $15 for non-members. Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Click here for directions.
Saturday, January 26, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Get your fingers dirty and help restore habitat for the critically endangered San Francisco garter snake, with a chance to see California red-legged frogs! Join Sue Gardner of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for a day of planting around several newly created frog ponds at Mori Point in Pacifica. Dress in warm layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring lots of friends! We provide snacks, tools and gloves. Meeting spot is Mori Point entrance gate. A carpool from Fort Mason (leaving at 9:15 a.m.) is available. RSVP required: call 415-561-3067. Click here for directions to work site and carpool pick-up location.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 8:00 p.m.: Brent Plater & Peter Brastow present an overview of the 2008 Golden Gate National Recreation Area Endangered Species Big Year at the Counterpulse/Nature in the City lecture series. Open to the public. Free. Counterpulse, 1310 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
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Complete Calendar of Events
(as of 1.9.08)
http://www.ggnrabigyear.org/calendar.html
January 2008
· Friday, January 11, 2008, 12:15 p.m.: Brent Plater presents an overview of the 2008 Golden Gate National Recreation Area Endangered Species Big Year at the Richmond Rotary Club's weekly meeting. Everyone is welcome. Free. Mira Vista Country Club, 7901 Cutting Blvd., El Cerrito, CA 94530. Click here for directions.
· Saturday, January 12, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: Join Kirra Swenerton of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at the Presidio Native Plant Nursery and see some Presidio Manzanita seeds and find out about recent attempts to make these seeds viable. Maximum 20 participants; RSVP required. Call 415-652-7651. Presidio Native Plant Nursery, 1244 Appleton Street, SF, CA 94129. Click here for directions.
· Saturday, January 12, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Get your fingers dirty and help restore habitat for the critically endangered San Francisco garter snake, with a chance to see California red-legged frogs! Join Sue Gardner of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for a day of planting around several newly created frog ponds at Mori Point in Pacifica. Dress in warm layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring lots of friends! We provide snacks, tools and gloves. Meeting spot is Mori Point entrance gate. A carpool from Fort Mason (leaving at 9:15 a.m.) is available. RSVP required: call 415-561-3067. Click here for directions to work site and carpool pick-up location.
· Sunday, January 13, 2008, 10:00 a.m.: Naturalist and Historian David Schmidt will lead a hike to see snowy plovers from the San Francisco Zoo. RSVP required: call 415-971-5201. Everyone is welcome. Free. San Francisco Zoo, 1 Zoo Rd., SF, CA 94132. Click here for directions.
· Monday, January 14, 2008, 7:30 p.m.: Peter Brastow presents an overview of the 2008 Golden Gate National Recreation Area Endangered Species Big Year to the Marin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. Everyone welcome. Free. The Redwoods, 40 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Click here for directions.
· Sunday, January 20, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Join naturalist and historian David Schmidt on a moderate 3-mile journey and learn about the lives of Coho Salmon as the fish return from the Ocean to spawn in the waters of Redwood Creek. Dress for cold, wet weather and wear boots as trails may be muddy. RSVP required: call 415-971-5201. Meet at Muir Woods National Monument south parking lot near the Dipsea Trail Exhibit. Park entrance fees apply, but the hike is free.
· Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 5:30 p.m.: Brent Plater presents an overview of the 2008 Golden Gate National Recreation Area Endangered Species Big Year to the Commonwealth Club of California. Everyone is welcome. $8 for Commonwealth Club members; $15 for non-members. Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Click here for directions.
· Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 7:30 p.m.: Brent Plater presents an overview of the 2008 Golden Gate National Recreation Area Endangered Species Big Year to the East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. Everyone is welcome. Free. Orinda Library, Garden Room, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563. Click here for directions.
· Saturday, January 26, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Get your fingers dirty and help restore habitat for the critically endangered San Francisco garter snake, with a chance to see California red-legged frogs! Join Sue Gardner of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for a day of planting around several newly created frog ponds at Mori Point in Pacifica. Dress in warm layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring lots of friends! We provide snacks, tools and gloves. Meeting spot is Mori Point entrance gate. A carpool from Fort Mason (leaving at 9:15 a.m.) is available. RSVP required: call 415-561-3067. Click here for directions to work site and carpool pick-up location.
· Saturday, January 26, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Join Lew Stringer of the National Park Service at Inspiration Point to help with Presidio Clarkia and Marin Dwarf-Flax restoration. RSVP required: call 415-561-4856. Meet at the Crissy Field Center. Click here for directions.
· Sunday, January 27, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Join naturalist and historian David Schmidt on a moderate 3-mile journey and learn about the lives of Coho Salmon as the fish return from the Ocean to spawn in the waters of Redwood Creek. Dress for cold, wet weather and wear boots as trails may be muddy. RSVP required: call 415-971-5201. Meet at Muir Woods National Monument south parking lot near the Dipsea Trail Exhibit. Park entrance fees apply, but the hike is free.
· Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 8:00 p.m.: Brent Plater & Peter Brastow present an overview of the 2008 Golden Gate National Recreation Area Endangered Species Big Year at the Counterpulse/Nature in the City lecture series. Open to the public. Free. Counterpulse, 1310 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
February 2008
· Friday, February 1, 2008, 8:00 p.m.: Brent Plater presents an overview of the 2008 Golden Gate National Recreation Area Endangered Species Big Year to the Marin Audubon Society. Everyone is welcome. Free. Bay Audubon Sanctuary, Tiburon, CA. Click here for directions.
· Saturday, February 2, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Join Lew Stringer of the National Park Service at Lobos Creek Valley to help with San Francisco Lessingia restoration. RSVP required: call 415-561-4856. Meet at the Crissy Field Center. Click here for directions.
· Saturday, February 9, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Join Michael Chassé and the Presidio Park Stewards to expand restoration efforts for Crissy Field Marsh and lay the groundwork for a successful California Seablite population. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989. Click here for directions.
· Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 12:00 noon: Brent Plater presents an overview of the 2008 Golden Gate National Recreation Area Endangered Species Big Year at the San Francisco Department of the Environment monthly brown bag series. Open to the public. Free. San Francisco Department of the Environment,11 Grove Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. (415) 355-3700.
· Saturday, February 16, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Join Lew Stringer of the National Park Service at Inspiration Point to help with Presidio Clarkia and Marin Dwarf-Flax restoration. RSVP required: call 415-561-4856. Meet at the Crissy Field Center. Click here for directions.
· Saturday, February 23, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Enjoy stunning vistas and work-off those holiday calories while removing invasive French Broom from Mission blue butterfly habitat in the Marin Headlands. Join Sue Gardner of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at Alta Avenue, set atop a ridgeline above Sausalito and Marin City. Dress in warm layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring lots of friends! We provide snacks, tools and gloves. Meeting spot is Alta Avenue entrance gate. A carpool from Fort Mason (leaving at 9:15 a.m.) is available. RSVP required: call 415-561-3067. Click here for directions to work site and carpool pick-up location.
· Saturday, February 23, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: Join Kirra Swenerton of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at the Presidio Native Plant Nursery and see some Presidio Manzanita seeds and find out about recent attempts to make these seeds viable. Maximum 20 participants; RSVP required. Call 415-652-7651. Presidio Native Plant Nursery, 1244 Appleton Street, SF, CA 94129. Click here for directions.
March 2008
· Saturday, March 1, 2008 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Check out the early wildflower bloom and stunning views atop this wind blown ridge, while restoring habitat for the endangered Mission blue butterfly and the endangered San Bruno Elfin butterfly. Join Sue Gardner of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at Milagra Ridge in northern Pacifica. Dress in warm layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring lots of friends! We provide snacks, tools and gloves. Meeting spot is at the Milagra Ridge entrance gate off Sharp Park Road. A carpool from Fort Mason (leaving at 9:15 a.m.) is available. RSVP required: call 415-561-3067. Click here for directions to work site and carpool pick-up location.
· Saturday, March 8, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: Join Kirra Swenerton of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at the Presidio Native Plant Nursery and see some Presidio Manzanita seeds and find out about recent attempts to make these seeds viable. Maximum 20 participants; RSVP required. Call 415-652-7651. Presidio Native Plant Nursery, 1244 Appleton Street, SF, CA 94129. Click here for directions.
· Saturday, March 8, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Get your fingers dirty and help restore habitat for the critically endangered San Francisco garter snake, with a chance to see California red-legged frogs! Join Sue Gardner of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for a day of weed pulling around several newly created frog ponds at Mori Point in Pacifica. Dress in warm layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring lots of friends! We provide snacks, tools and gloves. Meeting spot is Mori Point entrance gate. A carpool from Fort Mason (leaving at 9:15 a.m.) is available. RSVP required: call 415-561-3067. Click here for directions to work site and carpool pick-up location.
· Thursday, March 13, 2008, 6:30 p.m.: Brent Plater presents an overview of the 2008 Golden Gate National Recreation Area Endangered Species Big Year at the Sequoia Audubon Society's monthly meeting. Open to the public. Free. San Mateo Garden Center, 605 Parkside Way, San Mateo, CA 94403. Click here for directions.
· Sunday, March 16, 2008, 10:00 a.m.: Join Liam O'Brien at the San Bruno Mountain Summit Parking Lot to see the San Bruno Elfin Butterfly. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989. NOTE: this trip is not eligible for the Big Year competition, but will be your best chance to see the San Bruno Elfin.
· Monday, March 17, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Join Greg Reza of the Marin Open Space District to restore habitat for the Tiburon Paintbrush. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989. Click here for driving directions.
· Thursday, March 20, 2008, 1:00 p.m.: Meet at Muir Woods National Monument for an afternoon working at the edge of the redwood forest to remove invasive cape ivy from northern spotted owl habitat. This vine chokes the vegetation prized by dusky-footed woodrats, the spotted owls' choice prey! Bring a bag dinner and then join a ranger for a night walk into Muir Woods to learn about the park's nightlife, have a chance to check-off northern spotted owls from your Big Year list, and experience the special qualities of an old-growth forest. Free. Call 415-388-2596 for reservations.
· Saturday, March 22, 2008, 10:00 a.m.: Join Liam O'Brien at Edgewood County Park in San Mateo County, off of I-280, for a trip to see the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989.
· Sunday, March 30, 2008, 10:00 a.m.: Join Liam O'Brien at Edgewood County Park in San Mateo County, off of I-280, for a trip to see the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989.
April
· Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 10:00 a.m.: Join Liam O'Brien at the San Bruno Mountain Summit Parking Lot to see the San Bruno Elfin Butterfly. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989. NOTE: this trip is not eligible for the Big Year competition, but will be your best chance to see the San Bruno Elfin.
· Saturday, April 5, 2008, 10:00 a.m.: Join Liam O'Brien & Summer Lindzey at Milagra Ridge in San Mateo County to search for the Mission Blue Butterfly. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989.
· Sunday, April 13, 2008, 10:00 a.m.: Join Liam O'Brien at Edgewood County Park in San Mateo County, off of I-280, for a trip to see the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989.
· Saturday, April 19, 2008: Join Liam O'Brien Sue Gardner of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at Milagra Ridge for a behind the scenes tour of Mission Blue Butterfly restoration and preservation efforts. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989.
· Saturday, April 26, 2008: Join Sue Gardner of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at Mori Point for a behind the scenes tour of San Francisco Garter Snake and California Red-Legged Frog restoration and preservation efforts. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989.
May
· Saturday, May 3, 2008: Join Sue Gardner of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at Milagra Ridge for a behind the scenes tour of Mission Blue Butterfly restoration and preservation efforts. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989.
· Saturday, May 10, 2008: Join Sue Gardner of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at Mori Point for a behind the scenes tour of San Francisco Garter Snake and California Red-Legged Frog restoration and preservation efforts. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989.
· Sunday, May 11, 2008, 10:00 a.m.: Join Liam O'Brien at the Marin Headlands Golden Gate Parking Lot Overlook for a trip to see the Mission Blue Butterfly. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989.
· Saturday, May 17, 2008: Join Sue Gardner of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at Milagra Ridge for a behind the scenes tour of Mission Blue Butterfly restoration and preservation efforts. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989.
· Sunday, May 25, 2008, 10:00 a.m.: Join Liam O'Brien at the Marin Headlands Golden Gate Parking Lot Overlook for a trip to see the Mission Blue Butterfly. RSVP required: call 415-572-6989.
