Join us for special ocean-themed celebrations throughout the year. From World Oceans Day to Shark Science Week, there’s something for everyone in the family!
Here are a few of the fun events we celebrate. Check out our calendar for a complete list.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Earth Week
April 18-24, 2021
Learn more about our big blue planet and discover how UC Santa Cruz scientists are making important conservation breakthroughs during the Seymour Center’s 2021 virtual Earth Week celebration! Special at-home activities and fun arts and crafts are available for download.
Conservation Science at UC Santa Cruz (LIVE Virtual Events)
Science Sunday with Jason John, Ph.D.
Sunday, April 18, 2021, 1:30-2:30 PM PDT
Preregistration Required
Members and volunteers preregistration: free
General public preregistration: $10/household
Join us online for a special Earth Week Science Sunday on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 1:30 PM PDT to learn more about marine mammal conservation with Jason John. For more information and to register in advance for the webinar (required), please visit the appropriate link above.
Recommended age: 10 years and older
Labside Chat with Zeka Glucs, Ph.D.
Thursday, April 22, 2021, 11-11:30 AM PDT
Free
Tune in for an exclusive Earth Week Labside Chat as we talk with Zeka Glucs, director of the Predatory Bird Research Group at UC Santa Cruz on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 11:00 AM PDT. For more information and to livestream the conversation for free, please visit: seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/learn/ongoing-education/labside-chats.
Recommended age: 10 years and older
Visit Seymour Center Outdoors starting on Saturday, April 24
The Seymour Center is opening outdoors only on Saturdays beginning Saturday, April 24. Explore the fascinating world of marine science and conservation through a variety of outdoor activities. Seymour Center Outdoors is free to visit with a suggested $10 donation per household. Become a sustaining supporter of the Seymour Center by purchasing a membership! For more information and to learn what to expect, please visit: seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/visit/
Virtual Field Observations with the Predatory Bird Research Group
Hone your data collection skills and make virtual field observations with the Predatory Bird Research Group’s live webcams. The live webcams are focused on peregrine falcon nests in San Jose and San Francisco. The Predatory Bird Research Group is a research group housed within the Institute of Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruz.
Virtual Field Observations Instructions and Worksheet – PDF
Link to Live Nest Cams
Explore Central California’s Marine Ecosystems
Celebrate the beauty of marine ecosystems found around Central California’s coast. Join Erika Zavaleta, Howard Hughes Medical Institute professor in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department at UC Santa Cruz, to learn about wildlife diversity and cultural resources found in these precious ecosystems. Then, color your own ecosystem with coloring pages designed by Emma Vogan.
Estuary
Sandy Beach
Sandy Beach Coloring Page – PDF
Intertidal Zone
Intertidal Zone Coloring Page – PDF
Kelp Forest
Kelp Forest Coloring Page – PDF
Open Ocean
Open Ocean Coloring Page – PDF
——————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 9, 2021
Virtually celebrate Mother’s Day with the Seymour Marine Discovery Center! Learn about moms who live in the ocean, and create a special, at-home Mother’s Day craft to give to your mom. Crafts and activities will be available for download beginning May 9.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————–
World Oceans Day
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Created in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, World Oceans Day is the perfect time to learn how to protect the ocean and make a lasting difference for the future. Join the Seymour Marine Discovery Center for a virtual World Oceans Day celebration, and take part in the Seymour Center Online Ocean Superhero Challenge. Other at-home activities and crafts will be available for download beginning June 8.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Father’s Day
June 20, 2021
Virtually celebrate Father’s Day with the Seymour Marine Discovery Center and learn more about seaside-dwelling dads. Exclusive videos, at-home activities, and crafts will be available for download beginning June 20. There is fun for everyone in the family!
——————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Shark Science Week
2021 Dates TBD
For a full week, the Seymour Center will celebrate Shark Science Week by revealing fascinating facts about these cartilaginous fishes. Come explore amazing shark adaptations including their extraordinary senses, the unique ways in which they reproduce, and so much more. Shark touching pool open every day!
——————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Sea Otter Awareness Week
September 2021, Dates TBD
Discover the vital role sea otters play in the nearshore ecosystem during Sea Otter Awareness Week. Special pop-up exhibits will highlight sea otters’ natural history, reveal conservation issues facing these marine mammals, and so much more.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Halloween
Sunday, October 31, 2021
Wear your costume to the Seymour Center on Halloween and receive $2 off regular price admission! Discount available for adults, seniors, and children on Sunday, October 31, 2021 from 10 AM–5 PM.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Jingle Shells Arts & Crafts Festival
2021 Date TBD
Noon–5:30 PM
Celebrate the holidays – Santa Cruz-style! The Seymour Center hosts its Jingle Shells Arts and Crafts Festival annually in December.
This holiday tradition features more than 30 local artists and craftspeople who will tempt you with their ocean- and nature-inspired wares. The festival features ocean-themed gifts, while proceeds directly support marine science education. Meet artists, shop for unique holiday gifts, enjoy live music, hot apple cider, free gift wrapping, children’s activities, and explore Seymour Center exhibits, aquarium, and touch pools. Where else can you touch a shark and get your holiday shopping accomplished all while supporting ocean conservation?
Shop jewelry, ceramics, art glass, photography, gourmet food gifts, and much more—all by local artisans—and save 10% in the Ocean Discovery Shop!
Special one-day-only price:
Adult $7 | Senior, Student, Child $5 | Children 2 and under FREE
Members: FREE
——————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Elephant Seal Celebration Week
February 2022
Explore the fascinating world and interesting adaptations of northern elephant seals during the Seymour Center’s virtual Elephant Seal Celebration Week. Special at-home activities, lectures, and interviews with scientists will reveal natural history, migration strategies, and allow participants to immerse themselves in elephant seal science at UC Santa Cruz.
Please enjoy the Elephant Seal Celebration Week activities from February 2021:
Elephant Seal Science
Preregister for one or all of the virtual Elephant Seal Celebration Week live webinars!*
- Preregistration is free for members.
- Preregistration is $10/household for each live webinar or $25/household for the series for non-members.
Not a member? Join or renew today for free admission to virtual Elephant Seal Celebration Week live webinars!
*Labside Chats are offered at no charge and do not require preregistration.
Science Sunday with Rachel Holser, Ph.D.
Sunday, February 21, 2021, 1:30-2:30 PM PST
Preregistration Required
Members and volunteers: free
General public: $10/household
Join us online for a special Elephant Seal Celebration Week Science Sunday on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 1:30 PM PST to learn more about northern elephant seals with Rachel Holser, postdoctoral researcher with the Institute of Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruz. For more information and to register in advance for the webinar (required), please visit the applicable link below.
- Member and volunteer preregistration: free
- General public preregistration: $10/household
Recommended ages: 10 years and older
Listening to Elephant Seals with Caroline Casey, Ph.D.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 11-11:45 AM PST
Preregistration Required
Members and volunteers: free
General public: $10/household
Discover the unique noises and behaviors of northern elephant seals as we listen to sound recordings captured from the field. Learn how researchers analyze the vocalizations to better understand these marine mammals. For more information and to register in advance for the webinar (required), please visit the applicable link below.
- Member and volunteer preregistration: free
- General public preregistration: $10/household
Recommended ages: 10 years and older
Labside Chat with Jessica Kendall-Bar, Ph.D. Candidate
Thursday, February 25, 2021, 11-11:30 AM PST
Free for all
Tune in for an exclusive Elephant Seal Celebration Week Labside Chat to explore the brain function and sleeping patterns of marine mammals, including northern elephant seals. Join us as we talk with Jessica Kendall-Bar from the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz, on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 11:00 AM PST. For more information and to livestream the conversation for free, please visit: seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/learn/ongoing-education/labside-chats.
Recommended ages: 10 years and older
LIVE from Año Nuevo Natural Reserve with Patrick Robinson, Ph.D.
Friday, February 26, 2021, 11-11:45 AM PST
Preregistration Required*
Members and volunteers: free
General public: $10/household
Travel to Año Nuevo Natural Reserve for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the University of California’s 39 natural reserves. Managed by UC Santa Cruz and famously known as one of the largest breeding colonies of northern elephant seals in the world, the reserve is rich with wildlife diversity and cultural resources. Join us as we learn more about the reserve, current elephant seal science, and log observations from the field with Patrick Robinson, director of Año Nuevo Natural Reserve.
For more information and to register in advance for the webinar (required), please visit the applicable link below.
- Members and volunteers: free
- General public: $10/household
Recommended ages: 10 years and older
*Please preregister at least one hour prior to the event start time. Registration closes at 10 AM PST on Friday, February 26, 2021.
Elephant Seal Activities
Color an Elephant Seal at Año Nuevo Natural Reserve
Color an extraordinary elephant seal resting at Año Nuevo Natural Reserve!
Elephant Seal Coloring Page – PDF
Recommended ages: all
Watch the Año Nuevo Island Webcam
The Año Nuevo Island camera provides viewers with spectacular live views of Año Nuevo Island. Hone your observation skills and make virtual field observations! Ask yourself questions such as:
- What species of marine mammals or birds do you notice?
- How many elephant seals do you observe?
- Is there evidence of previous human occupation?
Recommended ages: all
