Spring 2015 - Monterey Bay Aquarium

16 Pages·2015·3.02 MB·English

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Director’s Note Education Highlights Cooking for Solutions InsideStories DavidPackardAward
SH RE
M O N T E R E Y B A Y A Q U A R I U M
LINES
The Open Sea galleries are home to three sea turtles—two adult green turtles and one baby loggerhead.
Nature does not hurry, yet
everything is accomplished
–
Lao Tzu
’
Director sNote
Julie Packard
Executive Director
With help from our members and donors, the Aquarium
has made such a big difference for the ocean—through our
unsurpassed visitor experience, science and research, policy
work and education programs.
Yet, even as we celebrated our 30th because of the rigor of our science. We’ll be doing more in the exhibit
anniversary last fall, we’ve had our Our team is working globally, supporting arena as well. We’re planning an inno-
eye on how we can have the greatest sustainable seafood movements in vative and exciting special exhibition
impact moving forward, and I’m really Europe and Japan, and collaborating where we’ll showcase the marine
excited about what lies ahead. with certification bodies to strengthen life—and conservation projects—in
We’re well into the design of our new standards so that more producers Mexico’s Gulf of California. Along with
Ocean Education and Leadership Center, follow ocean-friendly practices. bringing exciting animals like sharks
where we’ll shape new generations of We’ve crafted a new strategic and rays to the public, this exhibition
ocean conservation leaders through approach that will guide our will include field partnerships to aid
expanded science programs for students conservation and science programs. in protection of ocean wildlife.
and teachers. To date, we’ve raised One focus for us: understanding and Our new directions even extend to
over $20 million toward the project— better managing species like bluefin our popular Cooking for Solutions
including a $2 million commitment tuna that face tremendous fishing celebration, now a series of events
announced by HP Chairman and CEO Meg pressures. We will deepen our throughout the year. You can learn
Whitman at our 30th anniversary inau- research partnerships and step up our more on pages 8 and 9 about how
gural David Packard Award celebration. involvement in shaping management we’ve “spiced up” the recipe for
Many of you have contributed to policies to protect these and other Cooking for Solutions in 2015.
our campaign to raise the funds vulnerable ocean animals. The Aquarium’s work, and our
needed for the new Center, and I send We’ve seen the positive results of impact, has only just begun. I thank
you my deepest thanks. I hope you these policies. Along the West Coast, you all for being part of the journey
enjoy reading about recent accolades creation of marine protected areas, and for joining us in achieving our
for our innovative education programs coupled with ecosystem-based fisheries vision of a future with healthy oceans
on pages 6 and 7. management, resulted in the recovery that sustain all life.
Our Seafood Watch program of important coastal fisheries that
continues to grow in stature and were in collapse just 15 years ago.
influence. In its first 15 years, we’ve We need more success stories like
earned the respect of consumers, this—and our strategic approach will
major buyers and seafood producers keep us moving in that direction.
montereybayaquarium.org 3
Salema porgy – Sarpa sa
Taking Action for the Ocean
Progress—and Promise—
for Ocean Recovery Porgies—also called
scups or sea breams—
are interesting fishes.
Though omnivorous,
younger porgies are
mostly carnivorous,
while adults are
almost exclusively
Its oblong body
herbivorous. They’re
is quite flat
also protandric
in profile
hermaphrodites:
compared to
they start life as
other fishes.
males and most
change to females
as adults.
This fish has an
impressive set of
grinding, molar-
like teeth to crunch
on crustaceans.
Margaret Spring is the Aquarium’s chief conservation officer.
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lpa
Animal Tales
Make Way for Murres we only had females on exhibit.
Then a few years ago we moved
Notice anybody new in our our small flock from the Monterey
seabird exhibit? Bay Habitats exhibit to the new
seabird exhibit in the remodeled
We recently introduced the first
Open Sea galleries—apparently
common murre chicks hatched
they like their new digs!
here in our history—two in fact—
to the seabird exhibit in the Open
Although common murre popula-
It glimmers Sea galleries.
tions are healthy in the
and shimmers,
wild, all shorebirds face
thanks to golden “We’re really excited to
pressures from habitat
stripes that wrap have these young murres
damage and pollution.
its body. at the Aquarium,” says
Aimee Greenebaum,
We raised our new chicks
associate curator of
under the auspices of the
aviculture. “Especially
Association of Zoos and Aquariums’
since they were born to rescued
Species Survival Plan (SSP), through
mothers that have been with us
which we and our colleagues
for a long time. It’s a great suc-
cooperatively manage species
cess story.”
reproduction to ensure healthy,
genetically diverse populations.
We incubated the eggs, from two
different mothers, behind the
Common murres spend eight or
scenes. For their health and
nine months of each year at sea.
safety, we also raised the tiny
Their short wings are perfect for
chicks behind the scenes, rather
“flying” underwater to catch
than in a busy exhibit environment.
small fish. Because they spend
Aimee and her team hand-fed
so much time on and in the water,
the youngsters small fish every
they’re threatened by oil spills
few hours, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
and pollution. And their
It was a lot of work! But
populations fluctuate
the chicks grew fast
based on food availability.
and soon were strong
enough to join the adult
Did you know that murre
murres, pigeon guillemots
eggs are pear-shaped—
and tufted puffins inside
or pyriform? Female
the large exhibit.
murres lay these pointy eggs on
bare rock or soil on shallow, steep
A distinctive The murre mothers have been
The mild white meat cliffs. If disturbed, these eggs
black spot marks with us for decades. One was
of salema porgies simply roll in circles; an oval egg
the base of each rescued from the Apex Houston
makes it a popular would probably roll right off the
pectoral fin. oil spill, which occurred off the
seafood dish, especially edge of the cliff.
northern California coast in
in Europe; Seafood
January 1986. (Of note: At least
Watch lists scups as We hope to keep our young
one Aquarium employee was on
a Good Alternative. murres at the Aquarium for
the scene helping rescue oiled
But beware that many years, but under the SSP,
murres.) Both were declared
Sarpa salpais also they may be called into duty as
non-releasable by California Fish
known as a “dream breeding ambassadors for their
and Wildlife biologists and found
fish”—eating the species at another zoo or
a home with us.
head can cause aquarium. We’re proud
hallucinations parents, regardless!
Our murres haven’t reproduced
resulting from an
before, because for many years
accumulation of
psychoactive
chemicals in its body!
You can learn more on the Exhibit Update pages of our website.
montereybayaquarium.org 5
Award-Winning Ed
We’re gaining national
recognition for our work
to inspire new generations
of young people who are
science literate and dedicated
to protecting our ocean
Stefanie Pechan:
planet. Through our new
a Mentor for Science Teachers
Ocean Education and
D
uring the school year, Stefanie Pechan teaches
Leadership Center, we’ll science to fifth graders in Pacific Grove. Each summer
and on many weekends, she’s part of our Education
team—helping other teachers improve their classroom
strengthen initiatives
skills as science educators.
like our teacher and teen In July, she was named one of six California finalists for the
prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and
Science Teaching. The awards are the nation’s highest honor
programs highlighted here.
for math and science teachers. Awardees serve as models for
their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders
in the improvement of mathematics and science education.
“Stefanie is an amazing educator,” says Rita Bell, our director of
education programs. “She’s able to help other teachers see how
they can make a difference for their own students in the classroom.
“We’re fortunate to have someone with her talents and
enthusiasm as part of our team,” Rita adds.
“My students and the Aquarium helped me to be the teacher
I am today. So I'm really honored and blessed to be here,”
Stefanie says.
We’re raising the funds needed to make our
new Ocean Education and Leadership Center When we open our Ocean Education and Leadership Center,
possible. To make your gift today, please call we’ll be able to reach twice as many teachers like Stefanie
our Development office at 800-840-4880. through our Coastal Systems Teacher Institute and other
Thank you for your generous support! professional development programs.
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ucation Programs
Growing Our Honors for Our Work
Teacher Programs in Local Community
A O
recent grant of $150,000 from the Institute of Museum ur decade-long science education collaboration with
and Library Science (IMLS) to our Project-Based Science schoolchildren and their families in the Watsonville
Institute for Middle School Teachers will benefit over community is one of seven national winners of the
125 teachers—and, by extension, could positively prestigious Noyce Foundation Bright Lights Community
affect at least 15,000 students. Engagement Award.
The program, which involves a year-long professional develop- Our deep commitment and systematic approach combines
ment commitment by participants, provides teachers with education and public access programs to engage a broad range
strategies to engage middle school students in science. Cultivating of Watsonville residents over many years. We begin with Splash
science-literate adults is critical to helping future generations Zone Head Start visits for preschoolers and their families, offer
confront local, regional and global environmental issues. hosted field trips that reach some 3,500 students of all ages,
and reach teens through focused Young Women in Science and
Middle school teachers are particularly challenged, as students Teens Conserving Habitats initiatives for students in middle and
often arrive unprepared and uninterested in science because high school.
they’ve had limited exposure in elementary school to science
curriculum and processes. Our commitment to Watsonville includes teacher professional
development programs, affordable access for low-income
Project-based science builds real-world skills, and allows
families and annual public events at the Aquarium with the
students to expand their understanding of science, technology,
Hispanic community in mind.
engineering and math (STEM) while fostering collaborations,
critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills. “Our plan is to reach a larger and more diverse audience both
at the Aquarium and in the community,” says Vice President of
“We’re thankful the IMLS has awarded a grant to this particular
Education Cynthia Vernon. “Innovative ocean education means
institute,” says Mary Whaley, our teacher programs manager. “It
we’re helping young adults become ocean literate, inspired,
will help us to refine this important program and increase the
confident and ready to act on behalf of the oceans.”
level of support we can provide to teachers over a longer term.”
The Bright Lights Community Engagement Awards competition
This grant was awarded through IMLS’s Museum for America
recognizes select museums and science centers that have
program. The mission of IMLS is to inspire libraries and
done an outstanding job engaging with their local communities,
museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and
especially with outreach efforts focused on science, technology,
cultural and civic engagement.
engineering or math.
montereybayaquarium.org 7
Celebrate Sustaina
Food & Wine Dinners
New Cooking for So
Reception: 6 to 6:45 p.m.
Dinner: 7 to 10 p.m. Food, More Fun Th
Aquarium Members: $150
General Public: $180
Chef Cindy Pawlcyn
Bonny Doon Vineyard
Saturday, February 21
Two seafood selections and
one lamb dish, along with
Enjoy spectacular dining in
appetizers and dessert,
Cindy’s Waterfront restaurant,
paired with wines from
hosted by Chef Cindy Pawlcyn
Bonny Doon Vineyard
—the creator of Mustards
of Davenport.
Grill in Napa Valley and other
celebrated restaurants—and
Chef Cindy Pawlcyn
a carefully selected wine-
Hourglass Blueline Vineyard
maker. Includes a five-course
meal with wine pairings and Saturday, March 28 Carla Hall Nate Appleman JavierPlascenc
a pre-dinner reception with A five-course seafood dinner,
W
private access to the plus appetizers, perfectly e’ve spiced up the Cooking for Solutions 2015 begins
Tentaclesspecial exhibition. paired with wines from recipe for the 14th with two Food & Wine Dinners
Hourglass Blueline Vineyard edition of our annual (see sidebar at left) at Cindy’s
of St. Helena. Cooking for Solutions Waterfront, prepared by our
celebration, with new award-winning culinary partner,
events and festivities throughout Chef Cindy Pawlcyn.
the year. The new direction means
more ways than ever to connect We’ll also host a spectacular
with chefs, farmers, winemakers Food & Wine on the Road event
Food & Wine on the Road
at The Hess Collection and food artisans—at the Aquarium on Saturday, April 25 at The Hess
and beyond. Collection winery in Napa Valley
Saturday, April 25
(see sidebar at left).
1 to 4 p.m.
We’ll continue many of your
Aquarium Members: $125
favorite events, like our Food & In summer and fall, we’ll host two
($40 tax-deductible)
Wine Adventures. And we’re Cooking for Solutions weekends
General Public: $150 ($65 tax-deductible)
bringing back many of your in June and October (see sidebar
Visit cookingforsolutions.org for details.
favorite celebrity chefs, including at right), with ticketed events that
Join The Hess Collection and the Aquarium in Napa Valley
Carla Hall, Sam Choy and Nathan
for a special day with The Hess Collection’s Executive
Lyon, for intimate salons and
Chef, Chad Hendrickson, and its sustainable winemaking
cooking demos.
team, and special guest chefs Michael Cimarusti (Providence
and Connie and Ted’s, Los Angeles) and Justin Cogley
We’ll also bring Cooking for
(Aubergine, The Restaurant at L’Auberge Carmel;
Solutions to you, with culinary
Food & Wine’s Best New Chef, 2013).
events around northern California
and collaborations with chefs
This fantastic food and wine event—served in the
and conservation partners
winery’s world-class contemporary art gallery—features
around the country.
ingredients grown right on the vineyard and tastings of
small lot releases offered only at the winery. The Hess Collection winery
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ability All Year Long
Celebration Weekends
lutions Offers More
Fun-filled weekends with Amuse-Bouche
roughout the Year a focus on sustainable and Saturday, June 6
organic food from land and Saturday, October 3
sea. There will be daytime Whet your appetite for The
public events throughout the Party at this warm-up event
Aquarium, featuring tastings, with our culinary celebrities.
cooking demonstrations and
The Party
family activities, all connect-
Saturday, June 6
ing what we eat with the
Saturday, October 3
health of the soil, water and
the ocean. Events are included A unique combination of our
with Aquarium admission. amazing exhibits, celebrity
chefs and a lively dance
We’ll also host ticketed events party—plus sweet and savory
for Aquarium members and treats—makes this an
the public (see below). experience you won’t forget.
Sustainable Foods
cia Sam Choy Aarti Sequeira
Celebration: World Oceans
Day Weekend
include daytime Food & Wine Douglas Katz (fire food & drink,
Saturday and Sunday,
Adventures, the festive Amuse- Cleveland, Ohio), Nathan Lyon
June 6 and 7
Bouche and The Party, plus a (chef/author/TV personality,
Food events and tastings
reimagined Talk & Taste Series. Los Angeles), Javier Plascencia
throughout the Aquarium for
(Misión 19, Tijuana, Mexico), and
the whole family, plus presen-
In June, we welcome celebrity Aarti Sequeira (Aarti Paarti/
chefs Nate Appleman (culinary author, Los Angeles). tation of the Paul Walker Talk & Taste Series
manager, Chipotle, San Diego), Ocean Leadership Award. Saturday and Sunday,
Ned Bell (Four Seasons Hotel, Our popular online auction June 6 and 7
Sustainable Foods
Vancouver, B.C.), Sam Choy (Sam to benefit Seafood Watch also Saturday and Sunday,
Celebration: Make It
Choy’s Kai Lanai, Kailua-Kona, returns in June, with fantastic October 3 and 4
Sustainable Weekend
Hawaii), Carla Hall (co-host of items including culinary travel, Intimate culinary salons
Saturday and Sunday,
ABC’s “The Chew” and owner, gourmet food and wine packages, featuring topics near and
October 3 and 4
Carla Hall Petite Cookies, fun family adventures and dear to our hearts; many
Food events and tastings
Washington D.C.), Chris Hastings unique behind-the-scenes led by celebrity chefs.
throughout the Aquarium
(The Hot & Hot Fish Club, Aquarium experiences.
for the whole family, with Evenings By The Bay
Birmingham, Alabama),
a special emphasis during Saturdays & Sundays
National Seafood Month June 27 - September 6
Tickets, chef bios and
on making ocean-friendly
Join us for extended summer
additional details about
seafood choices.
hours until 8 p.m. on Saturdays
Cooking for Solutions events
and Sundays. As you explore
are available online at Food & Wine Adventures
our exhibit galleries—without
cookingforsolutions.org. Saturday, June 6
the daytime crowds—enjoy
Check back regularly, as Saturday, October 3
tastings from local Seafood
we’ll be adding new events Popular small-group events
Watch restaurant partners
all the time. For information, with our celebrity chefs.
and sample sustainable wines
call 866-963-9645.
and other beverages. We’ll
Nathan Lyon have live music, too.
montereybayaquarium.org 9
Did you know that each year we
help rescue and rehabilitate threat-
ened Western snowy plover chicks?
In 2014 our aviculturists rescued or
hatched from eggs, rehabilitated
and released 20 snowy plovers back
into the wild—a record-setting year.
Western snowy plover
Charadrius nivosus
In its final year at the Aquarium,
The Jellies Experienceis experiencing
a boom! Peach-mantled and crimson- Inside Since childhood, “story time” has
tentacled flame jellies,bulbous evoked memories of entertainment,
veined and opal-colored cannonball education and pure auditory delight
jellies, petite and aptly named Stories where our imaginations take over.
thimble jellies and an unidentified Let us tell you a story today—visit
deep sea jelly are just some of the the Aquarium’s podcast library on our
delectable eye candy featured in website under Animals & Experiences.
recent months.
We’re thrilled that TripAdvisor®
Travelers’ Choice™Awards
named us the best aquarium in
the world! The honor is based on
millions of reviews worldwide.
There’s one thing we know for
sure—we wouldn’t be the best
without you! Thank you for your
continued support and loyalty.
Cannonball jelly
Stomolophus meleagris
Did you know hammerhead
sharks smell in stereo? They see
predator or prey approaching,
but nostrils on their elongated
head confirm location by the
strength of the scent. Stop by
the Open Sea exhibit to see the
oldest scalloped hammerhead
shark—nearly 12 years old—
that’s also the largest—about 8.2
feet—on exhibit anywhere.
Scalloped hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
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