San Francisco Hunts Endangered Species

“I spy with my little eye ... a rare salt marsh harvest mouse, an endangered brown pelican and a Marin dwarf-flax.”

Thirty-three endangered species survive within California’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area. According to the Marin Independent Journal, that’s more endangered species than any other unit of the National Park Service in continental North America — including Yosemite, Yellowstone, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia combined. In an effort to raise awareness and encourage action, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is sponsoring a massive “eye spy” event — a yearlong contest to spot and help those plants and animals on the brink of extinction.

Called the Endangered Species Big Year, the competition summons contestants to observe the Gold Gate's endangered species live within the park’s recreation area. Competitors must log the sighting and complete a conservation task, ranging from coastal cleanup to habitat reconstruction.

The competitor who sees and helps the most species through Dec. 31 wins. Competitions are excellent ways to engage visitors and expose them to the concept of human imposed extinction and conservation action. Though prizes are said to be “minimalist,” the event is sure to encourage parks all over the country to host similar events.

Learn more about the Endangered Species Big Year competition.

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