Celebrate Earth Day at Alcatraz

The big picture: The goal is to introduce the community to a new perspective on Alcatraz, moving away from the typical stories of former prisoners and sparking curiosity about the island's ecology and natural ecosystems, said Shelagh Fritz, senior program manager at the Alcatraz and Black Point Historic Gardens.

What they're saying: "This is the first time that we've had this type of event on Alcatraz for Earth Day," Fritz told Axios, adding that she hopes it becomes an annual event.

The intrigue: The Victorian-style gardens, which sit on the island's western slopes, had once been cared for by its infamous residents.

• For more than 100 years, the military and penitentiary population that tended the gardens grew resilient plants that thrived in the island's tough conditions — and kept growing even decades after the prison shut down.
• Today, visitors can see a variety of plants, hillside terraces, a rose garden and a greenhouse.

What to expect: The free event on the island, which typically receives about 5,000 daily visitors, is expected to draw large crowds, Fritz said.

If you go: The event starts at 10am Tuesday, with the crabbing taking place from 3pm-4:30pm.