About Us

A student group listens to bird calls from afar

Jessica Weinberg McClosky / NPS

Research Learning Centers are field stations for many collaborative research activities, providing researchers with laboratory, office space, dormitory facilities and access to park research priorities and scientists. Each center's education specialist works with park interpreters and partners to make new information about park resources available to the public and park management. We also provide hands-on learning experiences that connect researchers with learners of all ages.

Each year, Bay Area National Parks host over 150 research projects, providing invaluable information to the park for science-based management. In 2009 alone, over 25 peer-reviewed publications emanated from research done at Point Reyes National Seashore. The National Park Service relies on this high-quality research to help ensure that we are taking the best possible care of these public lands.