FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Paula Maxfield
831-246-0425
paula@millermaxfield.com

AUDUBON CANYON RANCH'S BOLINAS LAGOON PRESERVE OPENS THIS WEEKEND

Public Invited for Spectacular Views of Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets at One of West's Largest Nesting Sites

March 11, 2008 - Stinson Beach, CA - Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR), a leader in conservation science, regional habitat protection and restoration and hands-on environmental education programs, today announced its 1,000-acre Bolinas Lagoon Preserve will be open for its 2008 Public Season from March 15 to July 13, 2008, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Weekday access is available by appointment.

Bolinas Lagoon Preserve hosts one of the largest Great Blue Heron, Great Egret and Snowy Egret nesting sites on the West Coast and averages about 100 active nest sites yearly in a grove of redwoods on the property.

During the course of the public season, visitors to ACR's Bolinas Lagoon Preserve can witness various stages of the heron and egret nesting cycle including courting rituals, eggs, chicks and first flights.

In addition to views of the nesting site, Bolinas Lagoon Preserve offers visitors bird and wildlife viewing platforms which are outfitted with spotting scopes and binoculars, eight miles of hiking trails, picnic locations, environmental education-focused bookstore and education hall.

As a nature preserve and environmental education center for children and adults, ACR's Bolinas Lagoon Preserve differs from traditional parks or open spaces by offering visitors a unique learning experience in nature. Ranch Guides are stationed at various points of interest to answer questions about the natural history and wild inhabitants of the preserve, promoting an understanding and appreciation of our natural world.

Among the diverse ecosystems at Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, visitors may also spot:

• Numerous water, shore and landbirds
• Reptiles and amphibians
• Black-tail deer
• Bobcat
• Badger
• Gray fox
• Raccoon
• Brush rabbit
• Meadow mouse
• Coyote

ACR's Bolinas Lagoon Preserve is located three miles north of Stinson Beach on Highway One in Marin County, and 30 miles north of San Francisco.

Admission to Bolinas Lagoon Preserve is free of charge. As a non-profit, a suggested donation of $15 is appreciated.

For more information call 415-868-9244 or visit www.egret.org

About Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
ACR's Bolinas Lagoon Preserve is host to one of the largest annual springtime nesting colonies of Great Blue Heron, Great Egret and Snowy Egrets on the West Coast. Each year thousands of people visit the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve during its open season from March to July. During the course of the public season, visitors can witness various stages of the heron and egret nesting cycle including courting rituals, eggs, chicks and first flights. Resource management, conservation-based research and environmental education programs are conducted throughout the year. Last year, more than 3,000 school children learned about the preservation of area habitats and the biology of its flora and fauna through the BLP Elementary School Environmental Program.

About Audubon Canyon Ranch
The mission of Audubon Canyon Ranch is to protect the natural resources of its sanctuaries while fostering an understanding and appreciation of these environments. Through ACR's preservation, education, and research programs, Audubon Canyon Ranch educates children and adults, promotes ecological literacy that is grounded in direct experience, and conducts research and restoration that advances conservation science.

Audubon Canyon Ranch properties include the Cypress Grove Research Center on Tomales Bay, the 535-acre Bouverie Preserve in Sonoma and the 1,000-acre Bolinas Lagoon Preserve in Stinson Beach, which is home to one of the San Francisco Bay Area's largest Great Egret and Great Blue Heron nesting sites.

Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR) is an independent non-profit organization with 501(c)3 status. ACR is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society. Audubon Canyon Ranch programs are made possible thanks to the contribution of thousands of hours of volunteer service, and donations from caring individuals, foundations and businesses. For more information, call (415) 868-9244, email acr@egret.org or visit www.egret.org.