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News Archive (March 2000 - June 2006)
Long Marine Lab's Whale of an Auction goes online starting Sunday, June 29
Each year, the Whale of an Auction provides crucial operating support for the Seymour Center. This year, however, the popular event was affected by local wildfires. The fundraiser was scheduled for Friday, June 20, but many supporters were unable to attend due to the fires and road closures in the South County area. While the silent auction items were sold during the evening's activities, live auction items were only previewed. The auction packages planned for the live auction portion of the evening will now be available for online bidding. The online auction will begin on Sunday, June 29, and will last for two weeks. Details are available on the Seymour Center web site at http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu. Seymour Center director Julie Barrett Heffington said the center's staff and volunteers send their heartfelt wishes for a positive and swift recovery to their neighbors and supporters who are dealing with the aftermath of major wildfires in the Santa Cruz area.
Free admission offered at the Seymour Center on World Ocean Day, Sunday, June 8 SANTA CRUZ, CA--To celebrate our blue planet, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center will offer free admission on World Ocean Day, Sunday, June 8. Created in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, World Ocean Day is the perfect time to find out more about the 71 percent of our planet that's blue. Visit the Seymour Center to learn to safeguard our seas, as you explore exhibits, aquariums, touch tanks, or take an afternoon tour. Extras for World Ocean Day include children's activities, music, crafts, and hands-on learning opportunities. Plus the Seymour Center will showcase a sampling of businesses utilizing ocean–friendly practices in creating their products or providing services. The Seymour Center is part of UCSC's Long Marine Lab and is dedicated to advancing human understanding of the world's oceans. The Center is located at the end of Delaware Avenue on the west side of Santa Cruz. Regular public visiting hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call (831) 459-3800 or visit the Center's web site at http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu. This event is sponsored by Morgan Stanley and John and Enid Rusev.
Santa Cruz Celebrates California Museums Month SANTA CRUZ, CA—Across our state, museums, science centers,
zoos, botanic gardens, and cultural centers are celebrating California
Museums Month in hundreds of different ways. Locally, the Seymour
Marine Discovery Center, The Museum of Art & History at the
McPherson Center, and the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
have joined together to encourage people to visit the rich resources
in their own backyard. California’s diverse museums and cultural institutions increase public awareness of a wide range of topics pertaining to the natural and cultural world and preserve and interpret their collections for the public’s benefit. The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is open from 10 AM-5 PM Saturday and noon-5 PM Sunday; it’s located on the Long Marine Laboratory campus at the end of Delaware Avenue in Santa Cruz; (831) 459-3800; http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu. The Museum of Art & History is open from 11 AM-5 PM on weekends and is located at 705 Front Street in downtown Santa Cruz; (831) 429-1964; http://www.santacruzmah.org. The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is open from 10 AM-5 PM on weekends and is located across from Seabright Beach at 1305 East Cliff Drive; (831) 420-6115; http://www.santacruzmuseums.org.
Special presentation on albatrosses by Frans Lanting on Saturday, February 2, will benefit the Seymour Center SANTA CRUZ, CA--In "Albatrosses: Birds of Legend in a Time of Trouble," renowned nature photographer Frans Lanting will share the remarkable story of the world's most majestic seabird, the albatross. This special presentation will take place on Saturday, February 2, at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz, with show times at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Seymour Marine Discovery Center at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory. Tickets ($20 general admission, $15 for Seymour Center members) are available at the Seymour Center, Bookshop Santa Cruz, and the Frans Lanting Gallery. For more information, contact the Seymour Center at (831) 459-3800. Of all the animals Lanting has worked with, few have amazed him like albatrosses have. For this event, he will tell a story that connects the legends of the albatross's past with new knowledge about its present and concern over its future. Soaring on wingspans of up to 11 feet, albatrosses roam the world's oceans and come ashore only to mate and nest on faraway, windswept isles. Some aspects of their lives parallel those of humans more closely than almost any other animal: they live for many decades; they spend years in courtship with mates to whom they remain devoted until death; and they grieve. Their powers of flight are legendary, and their complex feeding trips cover thousands of miles over the open sea. Lanting traveled to some of the most remote islands on the planet to photograph these majestic seabirds. He will present new images and describe his experiences from a wide-ranging assignment recently completed for National Geographic magazine. (His photographs are featured in the December 2007 issue.) This presentation will also include video by Christine Eckstrom and describe the research of UCSC biologist Scott Shaffer, who has tracked albatrosses across the North Pacific.
Elephant seal film and talk kicks off lecture series at Seymour Center Santa Cruz, CA--The Seymour Marine Discovery Center will host a two-part film and lecture series this fall on two consecutive Thursdays, September 27 and October 4. Both events run from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is $6 for the general public and $4 for members. Advance tickets are available by calling (831) 459-3800, and reservations are encouraged. The September 27 lecture begins with the Santa Cruz premiere of A Seal's Life, a documentary about northern elephant seals. The 47-minute film, directed by Drew Wharton and narrated by renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle, features spectacular underwater footage of the seals during their harrowing annual migration across the Pacific Ocean. Wharton will be on hand to answer questions about the film. In the second half of the evening, Daniel Costa, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, will expand on the theme with "From the Beach to the Sea: Our Quest to Understand the Biology and Ecology of the Northern Elephant Seal." Costa has spent more than two decades studying and photographing elephant seals and other marine mammals in the Pacific Ocean and Antarctica. The following Thursday, October 4, features two presentations by UCSC scientists. Jim Estes, adjunct professor of marine ecology and conservation biology, will present "From Killer Whales to Kelp Forests," a review of his pioneering work understanding kelp forests of the Pacific coast. Terrie Williams, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, will speak about "Holes in the Global Landscape: How Marine and Terrestrial Mammals Cope with a Changing World." Williams has been named one of the top 50 women scientists in the U.S. by Discover magazine. The events mark the inaugural season of the Ken Norris Memorial Lecture Series, named for the eminent naturalist and beloved UCSC professor, who died in 1998 after a long career studying life in the oceans and on land. Best known for his work on communications and sociality in dolphins and whales, Norris helped establish UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory, which now includes the Seymour Center, and played a major role in building UCSC's marine science programs. He also founded the University of California Natural Reserve System. The Seymour Center is located at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory at the end of Delaware Avenue in Santa Cruz. For more information and directions, call (831) 459-3800 or visit the center's web site, http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu. A trailer for A Seal's Life is also available online.
Expedition to Antarctica is topic of lecture by UC Santa Cruz biologist Daniel Costa on Saturday, August 4, at the Seymour Center SANTA CRUZ, CA--Daniel Costa, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, will describe his expeditions to Antarctica in a lecture and slide show on Saturday, August 4. Costa's presentation will take place at 2 p.m. at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Admission (which includes Seymour Center exhibits) is free for members of the Friends of Long Marine Lab and children under 4, $6 for adults, and $4 for seniors and students. For more information, call (831) 459-3800. Costa's Antarctic expeditions are currently featured in an exhibit at the Seymour Center called Eyes on the Ice: The Scientist's Lens. Costa and other members of his "Seal Team" used cameras to record their research activities as well as the spectacular beauty of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean during several expeditions to study crabeater seals and southern elephant seals. Costa has spent ten field seasons in Antarctica, starting in 1978. He is currently lead investigator on a project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study the foraging ecology of crabeater seals and southern elephant seals. He also served as chief scientist aboard the research ship L. M. Gould for two winter cruises in 2001 and 2002. Funded by NSF, the expeditions focused on better understanding the relationship between climate change and the ecology of the Southern Ocean. This year, members of the Seal Team continued their research during another expedition to Antarctica. They also continued their brilliant photographic documentation. Through computer technology, Costa sent daily updates and photos directly from the ship back to California. Although the researchers returned in June, their experiences are on display throughout the summer on a large-format monitor in the Seymour Center. In his talk, Costa will tell the stories behind the photos featured in the exhibit. He worked with an international research team, including scientists from Chile and the United Kingdom, as well as several UCSC graduate students. A local veterinarian also accompanied Costa on his most recent expedition. David Shuman, a UCSC alumnus, volunteered his time to work with the seals. Shuman earned his D.V.M. at UC Davis and returned to Santa Cruz to establish the Westside Animal Hospital. The Seymour Center is located at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory at the end of Delaware Avenue in Santa Cruz. For more information, call (831) 459-3800.
2007 Auction—a Whale of a Success!
Auction chair Virginia Guhin led an exceptional team of volunteers to make this year’s auction especially festive. Giant jellies floated beneath shimmering blue waves while bright bubbles floated upward from the luminous sea floor. The event, which included both live and silent auctions, brought more than 400 people to Porter Hall at UC Santa Cruz on what turned out to be a spectacular Santa Cruz evening—brilliant sunset, warm outdoor dining, and stunning views of the Monterey Bay. Tasty appetizers and sparkling champagne began the evening that included a delicious dinner, delectable desserts, and spirited bidding. Winning bidders went away with one-of-a-kind field trips with renowned scientists, vacations in exotic places, art glass and jewelry, exclusive dinners, wines, and so much more. The most sought after item this year was a magical trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico that was capped off by a private horseback ride with former Friends of Long Marine Lab board member Richard Beal. We are grateful to all the sponsors, donors, guests, and volunteers who helped make this year’s auction one of the most successful ever! All education programs and daily operations of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center depend on community support. Donations to the Whale of an Auction help bring marine science alive for everyone. 2007 Whale of an Auction sponsors and donors – click here 2007 Whale of an Auction photos – click here
Nature photographer Frans Lanting presents "The Making of Life: A Journey through Time" on Saturday, March 17 Gary Griggs, director of UCSC's Institute of Marine Sciences , will introduce Lanting at 2 p.m. , and Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, will introduce him at 7 p.m. Tickets for this event are $20 for general admission or $15 for Friends of Long Marine Lab members. For tickets or information, call (831) 459-3800. Tickets are also available at Logos Books & Records in downtown Santa Cruz. "Ken's approach to natural history influenced many people, including myself, and that inspiration is evident in the Life project, which is an experiential way to explore natural history through time," Lanting said. A world-renowned photographer and a photographer-in-residence
at National Geographic magazine, Lanting will discuss
how he created the acclaimed multimedia performance Life: A
Journey through Time. The work, which has also been published
as a book, consists of photographs from all over the planet that
encapsulate and symbolize Earth's history, from hot springs that
harbor ancient microbes to the complex ecosystems of the rain forest.
Jingle Shells Art and Book Festival at the Seymour Center on Saturday, December 9 SANTA CRUZ, CA--The 87-foot blue whale skeleton at UC Santa Cruz's Long Marine Laboratory will again brighten the holiday season. Fondly known as Ms. Blue, the world's largest mounted whale skeleton will glow each evening starting December 9 at the lab's Seymour Marine Discovery Center. To celebrate the holidays, the Seymour Center will host the Jingle Shells Art and Book Festival on Saturday, December 9, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the festive "whale lighting" ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The festival features ocean-themed books and gifts, live music, refreshments, free gift wrapping, and children's activities. Meet artists and authors, shop for unique holiday gifts, and explore the Seymour Center's exhibits, aquariums, and touch tanks. Proceeds directly support marine science education. Entrance fees to the center will be waived for children 16 and under during the entire day. The Seymour Center will stay open for extended holiday hours until 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, December 12 and 19. From 5 to 9 p.m., the public can enjoy free admission, holiday treats, free gift-wrapping on Ocean Discovery Shop purchases, and the opportunity to behold the glowing glory of Ms. Blue. Located on the bluffs overlooking Monterey Bay, Long Marine Lab is dedicated to advancing human understanding of the world's oceans. The lab welcomes visitors to the Seymour Center, where exhibits feature research conducted by UCSC scientists in the Monterey Bay and around the world. The Seymour Center is located at the end of Delaware Avenue on the west side of Santa Cruz. Regular public visiting hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call (831) 459-3800 or visit the center's web site at http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu.
Fall lecture series at the Seymour Center will focus on global climate change SANTA CRUZ, CA--The Fall Lecture Series at UC Santa Cruz's Seymour Marine Discovery Center will focus on climate change and global warming, with six speakers providing a range of perspectives on climate science, the effects of global warming, and policy options. The lectures will take place on consecutive Thursday evenings, October 5, 12, and 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the La Féliz Room at the Seymour Center. There will be two speakers each evening. Admission is $6 for the general public and $4 for members. For tickets and information, call (831) 459-3800. Thursday, October 5 Thursday, October 12 Thursday, October 19 This lecture series is sponsored by Aptos Animal Hospital and UCSC's Center for the Dynamics and Evolution of the Land-Sea Interface (CDELSI). Proceeds from the lectures help fund the Seymour Center's education programs. The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is a science education center located at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory. Overlooking the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Seymour Center features aquariums, exhibits, touch tanks, an 87-foot blue whale skeleton, a gift and book shop, and more. Visitor programs include docent-led tours, field trips, and workshops. The center also offers school programs, teacher training, summer youth programs, and opportunities for college students. Information is available by calling (831) 459-3800.
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SANTA CRUZ, CA--The Friends of Long Marine Lab will try a new
approach for its annual "Whale of an Auction" fundraiser
this year, offering online bidding for 26 spectacular auction packages.
SANTA CRUZ, CA -- The 22nd annual Friends of Long Marine Lab’s
Whale of an Auction—Under the Deep Blue Sea raised more than
$100,000 that goes towards keeping our “doors open” and
providing scholarships for young students to study marine science.
It was a wonderful evening, full of fun, food and fantasy—fabulous
trips, fine wines, and fantastic dinners were among the many items
donated by our generous community in support of the Seymour Center. 
SANTA CRUZ , CA --Nature photographer Frans Lanting will share
the story behind the making of his multimedia presentation Life:
A Journey through Time at an event on Saturday, March 17.
Presentations of "The Making of Life: A Journey through
Time" will take place at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Rio
Theatre in Santa Cruz.
Proceeds from the presentations will benefit the Seymour Marine
Discovery Center 's Ken Norris Memorial Lecture Series, which will
begin in the fall of 2007. The lecture series is named in honor
of the late Ken Norris, a professor of natural history who inspired
Lanting and many other UCSC alumni.
