1971 San Francisco Bay oil spill The 1971 San Francisco Bay oil
spill occurred when two Standard Oil tankers, the Arizona
Standard and the Oregon Standard, collided on January 19, 1971,
in the San Francisco Bay. The resulting 800,000 gallon spill,
the largest in Bay Area history, threatened sensitive natural
habitats both inside and outside the bay, including the Bolinas
Lagoon, and contributed to the growth of activism against
pollution, after thousands of bay area residents volunteered to
clean up beaches and rescue oil soaked birds. A number of
environmental organizations had their origins in the spill
cleanup. Standard Oil utilized more than $1 million dollars in
the clean-up. Inception of International Bird Rescue and
volunteerism  The resulting environmental destruction from the
spill, specifically the avian population, prompted volunteers to
rescue some 4,300 birds. At this time, knowledge on how to care
for birds in such health was low. As a result and despite
efforts, only 300 or so animals were ever