Golden Gate National Recreation Area is special to many people in many different ways. The park's natural resources and cultural history are truly exceptional and have led to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designating it as a Biosphere Reserve, and The International Coalition of Sites of Conscience to recognize it as an International Site of Conscience. Golden Gate's, Alcatraz Island, is also a sister park to San Lucas Island in the Republic of Costa Rica. UNESCO Biosphere ReserveOriginally recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere Program in 1988, our official UNESCO Biosphere Region status is evidence of the significant ecological and cultural diversity of the San Francisco Bay Area. In fact, we are the only Biosphere Region in the United States where land, sea, and city meet. From the windswept coasts of Sonoma County to the towering peaks of Mt. Tamalpais, and from the bustling Presidio to the quiet solitude of the Farallones, our Biosphere Region celebrates the connections between these incredible natural spaces and the communities who live, work, and play within them. The Golden Gate Biosphere Network is a partnership between local, state, and federal agencies, nonprofits, universities, and community groups who work together to promote scientific research, education, conservation, and sustainable development within the Biosphere Region. For more informtion visit Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Download the Golden Gate Biosphere Fact Sheet Download the Golden Gate Biosphere Zonation Map What Makes Us a Biosphere Reserve
Sister Park Agreement with the Republic of Costa RicaOn June 23, 2021, the National Park Service signed a sister park agreement with the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) of the Republic of Costa Rica that links Alcatraz Island & San Lucas Island National Park. |
Last updated: July 11, 2022