Meet Gordon Bennett

Drakes Beach. Photo: Beach Watch

Interview by Dru Devlin

How did you first hear about Beach Watch?

I saw a poster at a bulletin board in Muir Beach.

Where are you from and what are are your other interests? 

I am originally from Boston but have lived in California 40 years. 

My interests are heavily in environmental advocacy of this area.  I have been the Sierra Club Marin Group Conservation Chair for the last 10 years.  I am into birding and really nature in general.  Beach Watch fits into my personal interest of nature perfectly.

Tell us about your most unusual beach find.

For me, it’s more of the total experience—yes, we’ve seen birds do strange and wonderful things or spotted 75 surfbirds on the rocks, but the main, important thing is not the single find, but the experiences over the years.  You become friends with your beach.

I have been to many of the beaches south to Santa Cruz, but at Drake’s Beach, I know this shore with each season, in and out.  In the winter, 6 to 8 feet of sand gets stripped away.  The neat thing is when the soft sand stone is eroded by the ocean, a hard rock is exposed creating puddles and pools in the rock.  You only see this once a year for a short period of time.  It is so beautiful and always different, but always there in the winter season.  The seasonal restoration, the spit, everytime it is different.  The sand and water interaction is mysterious and wonderful in so many ways.

What has made you continue with the program for 15 years?

I have been doing this with Kate Carolan as a way to experience nature.  I fell in love with the Pacific coast.  Kate and I started with Muir Beach, and she still continues surveying Muir.  About eight years ago, we took over Drakes Beach.  It is a special place.

I like to work with the folks at the Sanctuary. I have worked with a lot of groups, but I particularly like the folks at the Sanctuary—they treat me well.  It gives me a sense that I contribute to a long-term dataset which is extremely valuable to scientists.

Any interesting stories about your life? 

I am not that mysterious.  But I will say that I received the 2008 Environmental Leader of Marin Award by the Environmental Education Council of Marin for my advocacy work.  There was also a documentary about my work shown at the Mill Valley Film Festival this year.  I am proud of this because of the work that went into saving Bolinas Lagoon. 

About ten years ago when there was pressure to dredge Bolinas Lagoon, I became convinced that this was bad science and that the lagoon would actually be destroyed.  It took 10 years of going to meetings and being called crazy, but I prevailed.  As it turns out, those who wanted to dredge the lagoon had a lot of political and financial backing.  I didn’t know I would prevail, but I was able to show that dredging would be scientifically preposterous.

Do you have any advice for fellow or future Beach Watchers?

Take it slow and careful. Don’t put yourself at risk. The longer you do Beach Watch, the easier it becomes to identify birds and mammals.  If you put yourself into it, more than just once a month, and take to heart what you are protecting, you are going to enjoy the experience.

What is your favorite spot in the Sanctuary?

The sand spit at the end of Drakes.  It’s hard to get to, it’s wild and ever changing.

What do you love about Beach Watch?

I like the look on people’s faces when I look at dead birds.