Celebrate World Oceans Day with Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Special events scheduled for June 4 & 8

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, will mark World Oceans Day with special activities on Saturday, June 4, and Wednesday, June 8 (World Oceans Day), to honor our connection to the ocean and raise awareness about the need to protect it. Dr. Seuss' One, Two, Three & the Seas returns for a second year with special activities from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. All activities are included with paid aquarium admission.

Saturday, June 4
Learn about diversity in the ocean as you spot fish with zany names and odd shapes. Take part in a fishy scavenger hunt. Join them at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. when award-winning pianist Hei-ock Kim and storyteller Jonathan Reinstein magically weave Dr. Seuss' classic McElligot's Pool with piano. Enjoy fishy face painting with Pinky's Big Top from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Vote for the finalists in our Name a Species contest, a partnership with Scripps Oceanography researchers who recently discovered new species of deep-sea worms.

Wednesday, June 8
Take part in a fishy scavenger hunt. Listen to classic Dr. Seuss stories at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Create a Seussian crown. Watch a special World Oceans Day dive show in our two-story, 70,000-gallon kelp forest tanks at 2 p.m. where the winners of our Name a Species contest will be announced.

First envisioned in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, World Oceans Day is an annual opportunity to celebrate our ocean and personal connection to the sea. The summit was the first major international gathering focused on the health of the ocean. Its centerpiece was the ratification of the Global Warming Treaty, made possible by the inaugural 1990 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an international body of researchers - including a dozen Scripps Oceanography scientists - who analyze climate change and its impacts on the planet. The United Nations declared June 8 the official World Oceans Day in 2009.

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Still feel like celebrating? Honor the ocean all month long with a series of special events at Birch Aquarium at Scripps designed to raise awareness of our ocean.

Monday, June 13
Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture
Sea Turtles of Indonesian New Guinea
Geoffrey Gearheart, Scripps marine biology student
6:30-8 p.m.

Little is known of the initial phase of the sea turtle's lifecycle, especially for the critically endangered leatherback. Ocean surface currents play an important role as "conveyer belts" for hatchlings, but these strong swimmers might still be able to influence their trajectories at sea. Join Scripps marine biology student Geoffrey Gearheart as he explains how scientists are determining the dispersal patterns and mechanisms of leatherback hatchlings of west Papua (Indonesia) and how this knowledge may help tailor more adequate conservation measures.
RSVP requested: 858-534-5771
Public: $8

Thursday, June 16
Full Moon Pier Walk
7-9:30 p.m.

Walk along the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, normally closed to the public, on an exclusive moonlit tour with a Scripps naturalist. Participants will learn about the history of Scripps Oceanography and current research projects, while collecting plankton, performing experiments and exploring the nocturnal habits of marine life. Ages 9+ (minors must be accompanied by a paid adult).
RSVP required: 858-534-7336 or online
Public: $25
 

Friday, June 17
Grunion Run
10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Observe hundreds of small silver fish called grunion ride the waves onto La Jolla beaches to spawn. Before hitting the beach, see grunion hatch before your eyes during a special presentation about this mysterious fish. Prepare for cool, wet conditions and bring a flashlight. Ages 6+ (minors must be accompanied by a paid adult).
RSVP required: 858-534-7336 or online
Public: $12

Saturday, June 18
SEA Days
Fish Diversity
11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Discover Science, Exploration & Adventure! Continue the World Oceans Day celebration at this special SEA Days. Learn about the diversity of fish with hands-on activities, meet scientists who study fish and make a recycled fish craft to take home. All activities are included with admission.

Thursday, June 30
Ocean Authors Presentation
Wonders of the Sea Volume Three: Hidden Treasures of California's Far North Coast
Marc Shargel
6:30-8 p.m.

Award-winning author and photographer Marc Shargel returns to Birch Aquarium to unveil a stunning new book that documents the beauty of California's underwater world and provides a new perspective on the creation of marine protected areas along our shores.
RSVP requested: 858-534-5771 or online
Public: $5