Preview Now! Whale of an Auction ~ ONLINE Bidding starts May 8, 2013 The Friends of Long Marine Lab’s annual Whale of an Auction goes ONLINE for 2013. Whether you live in Santa Cruz, California or across the country, there is something just for you! The Whale of an Auction is known for its unique and one-of-a-kind offerings including private behind-the-scenes trips; exotic getaways; and dinners at private homes…you won’t find most of these items anywhere else! Sign-up and bid early so you don’t miss out on the exclusive adventures and experiences in our “Pay-to-Play” section…they’ll sell out early. Visit our website often and sign up for E-blasts to find out more about the 2013 Whale of an Auction! Benefiting the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, the Whale of an Auction raises funds directly for K-12 and community marine science and conservation education programs, the care and feeding of more than 400 aquarium animals, and the volunteer program. Sponsored by Thursday, May 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. Younger Lagoon is excellent for bird watching and seeing animals that call the reserve’s intact coastal dunes home, such as: bobcats, foxes, seabirds, raptors, and even a burrowing owl.  This 75-acre research reserve is only accessible to the public through our bi-monthly tours.  Come and get a rare peek into a little piece of native coastline, right in our own backyard.  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, May 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, May 9, 2-3:30 PM Marine Mammal Research Tour Go behind the scenes at Long Marine Lab. Learn about the work of scientists and their studies of dolphins, seals, sea lions, and whales. Tour is best suited for adults and children over 10 years of age. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. Sunday, May 12 Celebrate Mother’s Day To celebrate Mother’s Day, come enjoy our newest exhibit, a gray whale mother and calf replica recently installed inside the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Moms visit free this Mother’s Day from noon until 5 p.m. and every mom receives a free flower. Kids can create a gray whale-themed craft between 1 and 3 p.m.–– and voila! A special gift is in hand to give mom, right on the spot. Plus, you can help suggest names for our beautiful, solid wood, gray whale mother and calf. You may even see a real gray whale migrating past just outside. Gray whales have been seen regularly this spring from the Center's exhibit hall and decks. Thank you and a Happy Mother’s Day to our sponsor, Merritt Taylor. Sunday, May 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. Younger Lagoon is excellent for bird watching and seeing animals that call the reserve’s intact coastal dunes home, such as: bobcats, foxes, seabirds, raptors, and even a burrowing owl.  This 75-acre research reserve is only accessible to the public through our bi-monthly tours.  Come and get a rare peek into a little piece of native coastline, right in our own backyard.  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, May 19, 1 PM Nemo Findings: How clownfish help resolve fundamental ecological questions Giacomo Bernardi, Professor Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Santa Cruz Fundamental questions in marine ecology have stumped scientist for decades: How do populations replenish themselves? How do they maintain stable numbers? How far do fish larvae travel, and where are they headed? Clownfishes help to shed light on all of these questions, and many others from the nature of sequential hermaphroditism in fishes (changing sex at some point during life span), to the future of our oceans with global warming trends and ocean acidification. This talk will highlight the many contributions that little Nemo has brought to light. Science Sunday is free with admission or membership. UCSC undergraduates free with valid student ID. Friday, May 24, 6 PM Raise the Whales Fundraiser Presented by the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Come to the Seymour Center and enjoy a fun evening of food, wine, and music by Keith Greeninger and band. A special fundraiser to benefit the Seymour Marine Discovery Center's installation of our new grey whale mother and calf model. See the flier. Sunday, May 26, 2-3:30 PM Marine Mammal Research Tour Go behind the scenes at Long Marine Lab. Learn about the work of scientists and their studies of dolphins, seals, sea lions, and whales. Tour is best suited for adults and children over 10 years of age. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required: (831) 459-3800. Sundays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30; 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. Saturday, June 8 World Oceans Day Celebrate World Oceans Day with us and connect with your ocean. Festivities for the day include ocean-themed games, crafts, and a community marine mural that you can help construct. Learn about new and exciting work with elephant seals, albatross, and animals in Antarctica. Long Marine Lab graduate students will be bring the newest science right to you with interactive presentations about their own research from all over the world. As part of our international spirit, we will offer information and tours in Spanish beginning on World Oceans Day, Saturday, June 8, continuing on weekend days throughout the summer. Connect with marine life by joining the fun, visiting our shark touch-pool, or just enjoy the view. Come celebrate being part of one world ocean with the Seymour Marine Discovery Center! June 17 – August 23 Ocean Explorers – Marine Science Summer Camp Ocean Explorers experience the thrill of scientific discovery at a working marine lab during these week-long camp programs. Students actively learn from field explorations, hands-on activities, games, and crafts.  Click here for details.