The following is a press release issued by the Noyo Center for Marine Science:
Ten years ago, the Noyo Center for Marine Science was just a gleam in someone’s eye. Now ten years later, it is collaborating with some of California’s leading organizations working to keep our oceans, its animals and its plants healthy in a changing world. This article is an introduction to these organizations and how Noyo is contributing to and collaborating with them. Future articles will go into more detail of the work being done.
California Academy of Science
From the California Academy of Science (CAS) website: We’re an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park—and a powerful voice for biodiversity research and exploration, environmental education, and sustainability across the globe.
Noyo works with CAS in several ways. First, through this partnership, Noyo is part of the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, responding to dead mammals to better understand the general health of the mammals, of the ocean, and the impact of human interactions. In this capacity, Noyo contributes to the research collection and preservation of coastal marine mammals. Since Noyo joined the CAS team the number of marine mammal skeletons from Mendocino County available for research has gone from fewer than five to over 275, which are then available for research worldwide. Future collaborations on sunflower sea stars and kelp restoration are in the works.
The Marine Mammal Center
From The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) web site: The ocean is in trouble. From the depletion of fish stocks to increasing ocean temperatures, human activity threatens marine ecosystems that are vital to the health of our ocean and all life on Earth. As a critical first responder to these threats, The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education.
Noyo works with TMMC on necropsies of marine mammals, including our blue whale and orca. Additionally, Noyo has a small army of volunteer beach surveyors covering most of Mendocino’s beaches with eyes out for live stranded animals. When an injured mammal is spotted the call goes out to TMMC and volunteers transport the animal to Sausalito as soon as possible. Staff is working with TMMC to use the field station workspace in the future, so mammals found late in the day can be held and cared for overnight for safer next day transport.
The Exploratorium
From their website: Located in San Francisco, California, the Exploratorium is a public learning laboratory exploring the world through science, art, and human perception. Our mission is to create inquiry-based experiences that transform learning worldwide. Our vision is a world where people think for themselves and can confidently ask questions, question answers, and understand the world around them. We value lifelong learning, curiosity, and inclusion.
Noyo collaborates on exhibits, including Seeing Scientifically at the Discovery Center, that walk the audience through the scientific process and is helping with research about how to teach the general public about science.
Kashia Band of Pomo Indians
From the Kashia web site: The Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria is a Federally Recognized Tribe located in Sonoma County of California. The Kashia Band of Pomo Indians has approximately 860 members, with the majority of Tribal members residing in Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake and Napa Counties, which is the service area for the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of Stewarts Point Rancheria.
Noyo is collaborating with the Kashia tribe in a red abalone captive breeding restoration program being led by the tribe. Abalone is a sacred species for the tribe and is important for food security. Noyo’s contribution in phase 1 of the program is to assist in getting urchin divers to the area off tribal lands in Sonoma to clear the urchins so kelp can reestablish in restoration zones. Noyo will also collect and feed adult abalone until they become reproductive again, which can take up to 2 years!
Bodega Bay Marine Laboratory
From their website: The UC Davis Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute’s Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) is a leading research and education facility at the forefront of national marine laboratories in providing science that serves society and informs solutions to complex environmental challenges. For over 50 years, BML’s multidisciplinary research discoveries have advanced ocean and coastal health, and its hands-on educational programs have been training the nation’s next generation of leaders in marine science and policy.
BML brings science support to the Kashia/Noyo red abalone project, teaching them what conditions are best to accomplish the goals of rehabilitating and spawning abalone. This includes understanding the genetics, using ultrasound to determine when they become reproductive, and best diet for most rapid growth.
Sea Grant
From their website: California Sea Grant is a unique partnership that unites the resources of the federal government, the State of California, and universities across the state to create knowledge, products, and services that benefit the economy, the environment, and the citizens of California. California Sea Grant’s mission is to provide integrated research, extension, outreach, and education to help Californians balance diverse interests that intersect with the coastal and marine environments and adapt to changing conditions and needs. We accomplish this by collaborating with a range of local, state, regional, national, and international partners to further the acquisition and application of relevant scientific knowledge.
Noyo works with two organizations under the Sea Grant program:
Moss Landing Marine Lab
From their website: Moss Landing Marine Lab (MLML) administers the Master of Science in marine science program for California State Universities in northern and central California and is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in both education and research. San José State University oversees MLML. MLML Aquaculture Facility hopes to lead the way in developing a rigorous foundation and policy for aquaculture science and in training the workforce and leaders in sustainable aquaculture in California, the United States, and worldwide.
Noyo collaborates with MLML in developing urchin aquaculture, taking advantage of MLML’s leadership in this arena.
Scripps Institute of Oceanography
The second Sea Grant program is with Scripps Institute of Oceanography, looking at sea level rise along the coast. Fort Bragg is a focus community for this grant funded by NASA. Noyo is providing support for the establishment of local data via several water level monitors, and designing education and outreach materials for the community.
The Noyo Ocean Collective
This is the local brain trust working on the blue economy. The core organizations include the Noyo Center, West Business Development Center, the City of Fort Bragg, the Noyo Harbor District, Mendocino College, and local tribes. The goal is to assess the potential for and develop the components of a successful blue economy.
One of Noyo Center’s current projects is working with the college to develop an aquaculture certification program. The Noyo Field Station will be one of the training sites.
All of these programs take time and money. To contribute either, contact the noyocenter.org. Help make a difference for our oceans by being an active donor and participant in the work being done.
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