February 1-29 School Field Trips Learn about our THREE ways to visit! Discovery Lab & Tours still available, as well as Reserved School Tours and Self-guided Exhibit Explorations. Click here for details. Thursday, February 2, 2-3:30 PM Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour Experience the wildlife and natural beauty that make Younger Lagoon an exceptional local treasure on this docent-led tour to the lagoon and its beach habitat. Learn about the ongoing research and habitat restoration work that help this vital ecosystem thrive. Tour includes a short hike and is best suited for adults in good physical condition and children age 10 and older. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. Sundays, February 5, 12, 19, & 26; 1-3 PM Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center Join us with your small fry in the crafts room every Sunday for hands-on fun! Thursday, February 9, 2:00-3:30 PM Marine Mammal Research Tour Go behind the scenes to learn about the host of marine mammals housed right here at Long Marine Lab.  Find out how scientists studies of diving physiology, ecology, and cognition and sensory systems contributes to our understanding and conservation of these incredible animals. Tour is best suited for adults and children over 10 years of age. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. Sunday, February 12, 2-3:30 PM Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour Experience the wildlife and natural beauty that make Younger Lagoon an exceptional local treasure on this docent-led tour to the lagoon and its beach habitat. Learn about the ongoing research and habitat restoration work that help this vital ecosystem thrive. Tour includes a short hike and is best suited for adults in good physical condition and children age 10 and older. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. Sunday, February 19, 1:00 PM Science Sunday The Devil in the Deep Blue Sea: Ecology and Conservation of Manta Rays Manta rays (also known as devil fish) are one of the world’s most threatened groups of fishes, yet almost nothing is known about them. Targeted by small-scale local fisheries and subjected to high levels of bycatch in the global tuna fishery, learning more about them will help us conserve these fascinating and beautiful fish. Join UCSC Professor Don Croll as he reveals surprising aspects of manta ray ecology, reproduction, migration, and promising ideas for their conservation. Sunday, February 26, 2:00-3:30 PM Marine Mammal Research Tour Go behind the scenes to learn about the host of marine mammals housed right here at Long Marine Lab.  Find out how scientists studies of diving physiology, ecology, and cognition and sensory systems contributes to our understanding and conservation of these incredible animals. Tour is best suited for adults and children over 10 years of age. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. March 1-31 School Field Trips March is a great month for your child's class to dive into science at the Seymour Center. Click here for details. Thursday, March 1, 2-3:30 PM Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour Experience the wildlife and natural beauty that make Younger Lagoon an exceptional local treasure on this docent-led tour to the lagoon and its beach habitat. Learn about the ongoing research and habitat restoration work that help this vital ecosystem thrive. Tour includes a short hike and is best suited for adults in good physical condition and children age 10 and older. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. Saturday, March 3, 6 PM Global Oceans Awards Gala Honoring Stephen Palumbi, director of Hopkins Marine Station Bittersweet Bistro, Aptos, CA Once a year, the Friends of Long Marine Lab and the Seymour Marine Discovery Center honor an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the understanding and conservation of our oceans. This year’s Global Oceans Hero is Stephen Palumbi—professor, scientist, researcher, conservationist, author, and musician.  Palumbi is the director of Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, California. Part of Stanford University, Hopkins was the first marine laboratory established along the West Coast in 1892. Palumbi is also a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation, a Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences, and Senior Fellow at Stanford’s Woods Institute for the Environment. As a biologist, Palumbi has spent more than 30 years studying the genetics, evolution, and conservation of marine organisms—from sea urchins to whales. Using molecular genetic techniques, he has helped solidify the case for marine reserves and conservation around the globe. An author as well, Palumbi’s most recent work, The Death and Life of the Monterey Bay: A Story of Revival, is a good-news environmental story about the difference that ordinary citizens can make in creating both diverse, sustainable ecosystems and economies. Palumbi has also contributed to films that enhance the public’s understanding of science including the BBC/Animal Planet TV series The Future is Wild, Urban Shark Hunting, Resilience on the Reef, and The Secret Life of Whales. In his spare time, Palumbi is a member of the Sustainable Sole Band, bringing conservation messages to the public through music. Listen to a few tunes here: http://palumbi.stanford.edu/music/index.html The Friends will also celebrate the top two UC Santa Cruz Student Research and Education Award recipients, Ian Hunter and Stanley Shen. Reservations required and are $150 per person: (831) 459-3694. Click here to view invitation. Sponsored by DeepWater Desal, Brent and Sylvia Constantz Wine Sponsors: John and Enid Rusev, Vine Hill Winery, Jim Beauregard/ Shopper’s Corner, Saintsbury Vineyard Special thanks to Bittersweet Bistro and its proprietors Thomas and Elizabeth Vinolus Sundays, March 4, 11, 18, & 25; 1-3 PM Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center Join us with your small fry in the crafts room every Sunday for hands-on fun! Thursday, March 8, 2:00-3:30 PM Marine Mammal Research Tour Go behind the scenes to learn about the host ofmarine mammals housed right here at Long Marine Lab.  Find out how scientists studies of diving physiology, ecology, and cognition and sensory systems contributes to our understanding and conservation of these incredible animals. Tour is best suited for adults and children over 10 years of age. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. Sunday, March 11, 2-3:30 PM Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour Experience the wildlife and natural beauty that make Younger Lagoon an exceptional local treasure on this docent-led tour to the lagoon and its beach habitat. Learn about the ongoing research and habitat restoration work that help this vital ecosystem thrive. Tour includes a short hike and is best suited for adults in good physical condition and children age 10 and older. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. Sunday, March 25, 2:00-3:30 PM Marine Mammal Research Tour Go behind the scenes to learn about the host of marine mammals housed right here at Long Marine Lab.  Find out how scientists studies of diving physiology, ecology, and cognition and sensory systems contributes to our understanding and conservation of these incredible animals. Tour is best suited for adults and children over 10 years of age. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. April 1-30 School Field Trips Students will get their hands wet to explore how scientists think and work. Help organize a terrific spring field trip. Click here for details. Sundays, April 1, 15, 22, & 29; 1-3 PM Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center Join us with your small fry in the crafts room every Sunday for hands-on fun! Thursday, April 5, 2-3:30 PM Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour Experience the wildlife and natural beauty that make Younger Lagoon an exceptional local treasure on this docent-led tour to the lagoon and its beach habitat. Learn about the ongoing research and habitat restoration work that help this vital ecosystem thrive. Tour includes a short hike and is best suited for adults in good physical condition and children age 10 and older. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. Sunday, April 8 – Closed for the Holiday. Thursday, April 12, 2:00-3:30 PM Marine Mammal Research Tour Go behind the scenes to learn about the host of marine mammals housed right here at Long Marine Lab.  Find out how scientists studies of diving physiology, ecology, and cognition and sensory systems contributes to our understanding and conservation of these incredible animals. Tour is best suited for adults and children over 10 years of age. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. Sunday, April 22, 2:00-3:30 PM Marine Mammal Research Tour Go behind the scenes to learn about the host of marine mammals housed right here at Long Marine Lab.  Find out how scientists studies of diving physiology, ecology, and cognition and sensory systems contributes to our understanding and conservation of these incredible animals. Tour is best suited for adults and children over 10 years of age. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. May 1-31 School Field Trips Spring at the Seymour Center makes for a great field trip. Help a teacher organize a Reserved School Tour or Self-guided Exhibit Exploration. Click here for details. June 1-30 School Field Trips A great, educational way to finish up the school year is with a field trip to the Seymour Center. Experience science in action. Click here for details.