http://www.ocean-institute.org
The Ocean Institute is pleased participate in the City of Dana Point’s annual Festival of Whales celebration (see www.festivalofwhales.org) the weekends of March 6 & 7 and 13 & 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day. The event celebrates the annual migration of the gray whale off our coast.
The Institute will offer learning labs which focus on new discoveries in marine mammal research and allow visitors to explore a variety of fascinating phenomena unique to the whale. Visitors will have the opportunity to listen to underwater whale sounds, enjoy hands-on activities, listen to guest speakers and create fun children’s crafts. Guests can watch the popular Thar She Blows! living history demonstration aboard the tall ship Pilgrim each day. Speakers will be making special whale-themed presentations each day at 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $6.50 adults, $4.50 children (ages 4-12), Ocean Institute members free. For an additional charge, visitors can take a Whale’s Tale Sailing Adventure on the Institute’s tall ship Spirit of Dana Point or enjoy a Marine Mammal Cruise onboard the Institute’s R/V Sea Explorer. For schedules and costs of the cruises, please visit www.ocean-institute.org or call (949) 496-2274.
New activities for 2010 which are free to the public include:
Wyland Art Exhibition—The work of renowned marine life artist Wyland of Laguna Beach will be featured both weekends, dedicated to whales and dolphins of the Pacific. Works include original Wyland paintings, underwater photography, and a large bronze sculpture. If you’ve never experienced Wyland’s keen eye for wildlife, this is the perfect opportunity to get up and close and personal with the world’s largest mammals. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Ocean Institute.
Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center—The Center, offered in partnership with the Ocean Institute, offers an exploration of watersheds, wildlife, and environmental conservation. It features a 40-person, on-board theater with special effects, a running river, computer model simulations of lake regions, video microscopes and an urban watershed model (that actually rains!)
Founded in 1977, the Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean preservation through education, setting the standard for educational excellence and serving as a leading resource for universities, museums, teachers and all others seeking to increase their knowledge of the ocean. The Ocean Institute is open to the general public on weekends, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Unique maritime and ocean-themed items are available in the Chambers Gallery everyday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Institute address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point. Website: www.ocean-institute.org. Phone number: (949) 496-2274.
