OCEAN DISCOVERY DAY

Sanctuary Celebrates 15th Anniversary with Ocean Discovery Day Event

On Wednesday, January 17, 2007 the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary was officially 15 years old. As a means of celebration, the sanctuary joined forces with NOAA Fisheries to host NOAA Ocean Discovery Day on Saturday, January 20th.

Three hundred people attended this first rendition of the event in Galveston, Texas, where they toured among 20 activity stations representing NOAA programs.  Visitors learned everything from how Geographic Information Systems are used to characterize habitats in NOAA Sanctuaries, to why wetlands are important and how NOAA Fisheries protects them, to how to tie knots that a NOAA Corps officer might use on a research vessel.  NOAA Enforcement was on hand to explain its role in protecting our ocean treasures and NOAA's Texas Sea Grant University (Texas A&M) was available to provide information about education opportunities for young people aspiring to ocean careers.  As a special feature, visitors were treated to performances by Lucas Miller, the singing zoologist, who related wildlife science concepts through songs and stories. 

In addition to local staff, representatives from Monitor, Gray's Reef and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuaries were on hand to make the day a success. There were also 25 volunteers assisting with the program, several of whom traveled over 250 miles to volunteer. 

 

More Ocean Discovery Day photos...