For more than 40 years, SFBBO’s mission has been to promote sustainability in the Bay Area and beyond by engaging communities in avian science, habitat restoration, and education.
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Our nonprofit's team of biologists and ecologists conduct research to better understand our local bird populations, study and restore their habitats, and share our data with other scientists, policymakers, community leaders, and Bay Area residents who use the data to preserve the beauty and biodiversity of our region.
We also do outreach by engaging volunteers in community science projects and habitat restoration events, educating students, partnering with Bay Area nonprofits, agencies, and companies, working with the media, and offering opportunities for the public to enjoy birds, learn about conservation, and share their stories. |
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Educational ResourcesWe offer free middle school and high school curriculum and provide environmental education activities to people of all ages and backgrounds to teach the scientific method, inform the public about the issues birds face, and inspire communities to act to protect birds and promote sustainability.
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Issues Birds Face
Estuaries are among the most dynamic, complex, and biologically productive ecosystems in the world and our San Francisco Bay is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species. It is a significant wintering area for a wide range of waterfowl, its wetlands serve as important flood control buffers, and the surrounding riparian, grassland, and upland habitats support numerous plants and animals, as well as hundreds of local and migratory bird species.
But we live and work in a rapidly changing landscape and this important ecosystem is one of the most heavily developed in the world, with almost 8 million people living on its shores. Over the last 150 years, an estimated 90% of historic tidal marsh has been eliminated, and urban development and climate change continue to press heavily on the area’s ever-diminishing wildlife habitats. And all of this is occurring during an era of shrinking government budgets and resources dedicated to environmental protection.
But we live and work in a rapidly changing landscape and this important ecosystem is one of the most heavily developed in the world, with almost 8 million people living on its shores. Over the last 150 years, an estimated 90% of historic tidal marsh has been eliminated, and urban development and climate change continue to press heavily on the area’s ever-diminishing wildlife habitats. And all of this is occurring during an era of shrinking government budgets and resources dedicated to environmental protection.
Our Impact
For 44 years we've conducted avian science in the Bay Area and beyond - sharing our data with resource managers, other scientists, and policy makers so they can make informed decisions. We also restore tidal marsh habitat as part of one of the largest wetlands restoration projects in the country. In addition, we engage volunteers in our work, engage the media, and provide environmental education experiences for kids, adults, and families to increase science literacy and inspire people to protect the birds and ecosystems where they live. Learn more about the impact of our work.
1.25 Million Birds Our biologists and volunteers count millions of birds each year and we share our data with resource managers, agencies, and in peer reviewed scientific journals.
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5,000 PlantsOur ecologists lead 50 volunteer habitat restoration days - and plant more than 5,000 plants - each year to help our Bay tidal marshes adapt to climate change and sea level rise.
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3,000 PeopleWe engage 1,000+ volunteers and teach 2,000+ kids and adults at 75+ events each year - and we keep the public informed through regular coverage by the media.
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