Noyo Center Talks Science:
Sustaining and Regenerating Biodiversity
Along the Mendocino Coast

Guest Presenter: Jennifer Garrison
California Department of Fish and Wildlife

In this program we explore the the biodiversity of wildlife and plant species and natural communities in Mendocino County (specifically the coast) and will provide online resources to help people identify species they observe. I then will focus on what we can take as individuals and as a community to sustain and regenerate biodiversity.

Jennifer Garrison is a Senior Environmental Scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife whose work has encompassed regional planning, conservation, and improving wildlife connectivity, and permitting. She is passionate about native species, their habitats, and educating others on the importance of habitat protection and restoration. Prior to joining CDFW in 2013, Jennifer worked in the private sector permitting and implementing environmental compliance on large infrastructure projects including the development of mitigation projects. In her free time, she makes things in her art studio, designs native gardens, and wrangles invasive species on her land with the help of two labrador retrievers. 

Additional Resources:

General Resources and Information
Native and Non-Native Plant Resources

Noyo Pelagic Science at Sea
on the Kraken
with Noyo Center Naturalists

Monday, May 12, 2025
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Cost: $75

Departure: Anchor Boats Charters
Noyo North Harbor at Noyo Fish Company

BOOK YOUR TRIP

Put on your citizen scientist hat for the morning aboard the Kraken with Noyo Center team! We will run out to the buoys, collect water samples and other marine science data, enjoy the sea lions on the buoys, and listen for and seek any whales that may be nearby.

These trips are good for families, visitors, and locals who want to get out on the ocean for a shorter period of time. These benefit trips help support the Noyo Center for Marine Science in advancing our science and education programs. Conditions allowing, we may even deploy our ROV from the deck to view seafloor organisms and activity.

Seals Beside Us:
Harbor Seals and Other Inhabitants of the
Point Arena Lighthouse and Stornetta Public Lands

Saturday, April 5, 2025
Noyo Center Marine Field Station
5:00 Happy Hour
6:00 Presentation Begins

Guest Presenter: Sara Bogard

This presentation is a visual journey and stories of the Harbor Seals and other inhabitants that reside, give birth and migrate through the Point Arena Lighthouse and Stornetta Public Lands.  Sara Bogartdphotographs and collects data on the Harbor Seal population, the migratory and nesting birds and other mammals seen on her weekly surveys. This year marks her 6th year of surveying this area. 

During the Harbor Seal pupping and molting season her observations focus on mother and pup interaction and the survival skills pups practice during the first month. Each year brings new observations and awareness in this ongoing cycle. As of May 9th, 2024, she had counted up to 39 Harbor Seal pups. Her data continues to show patterns which, over time, reveal information on how this local population is doing from year to year. Each year is different, and observations of unusual or new species and behavior are also recorded. From this data and information, patterns and cycles of birth, nesting and migration emerge to make these bluff tops a spectacular place to view and connect with the natural world.

There is no fee for our science talk presentations, but your donations help to support the resources it takes to bring you these programs and speakers.

Sara Bogard is a citizen scientist and a volunteer for several conservation organizations, including the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Beach Watch Program, the California Harbor Seal Monitoring and Inventory Program, the Marine Mammal Center and the Harbor Seal Docent Program at The Sea Ranch. She does monthly and weekly surveys on beaches and bluff tops from Black Point Beach to South Manchester State Beach. Her volunteer work includes the counts of live and dead species, recording data of dead species on the beach, and taking survey photographs. Throughout the year, and during the Harbor Seal pupping and molting season from March through July, she counts the number of adults, immatures and pups at the Point Arena Lighthouse and Stornetta Public Lands. She assesses the condition of live stranded pinnipeds in the area, and when needed performs seal rescues with other designated volunteers. She also shares information on Harbor Seals for the general public during the Harbor Seal pupping season. Her goal is to collect this data and share her observations to promote the health and sustainability of pinniped populations in Northern California and bring public awareness to the effects of human and current environmental factors which affect these species. 

Finding Nemo, Jr.
presented by
Gloriana Musical Theatre

March 21-23 and March 28-30, 2025 

Noyo Center is pleased to join Art Explorers and Animal Communicator as a sponsor for these events.

BUY TICKETS

Finding Nemo, Jr.
presented by
Gloriana Musical Theatre

March 21-23 and March 28-30, 2025 

Noyo Center is pleased to join Art Explorers and Animal Communicator as a sponsor for these events.

BUY TICKETS

Finding Nemo, Jr.
presented by
Gloriana Musical Theatre

March 21-23 and March 28-30, 2025 

Noyo Center is pleased to join Art Explorers and Animal Communicator as a sponsor for these events.

BUY TICKETS

Whale Watching on the Telstar
with Noyo Center Naturalists

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Telstar Charters
32390 N. Harbor Drive in Fort Bragg
MAP

1:00-3:00 PM
$54.48/person

BOOK YOUR TRIP

Join the Telstar crew and a guest Noyo Center naturalist for an education focused excursion. Embarking from Noyo Harbor, we will spend two hours at sea conducting community science together. From bird watching, to whale and seal spotting to plankton tows each trip will be tailored to current and local wildlife with expert naturalist interpretation along the way. A portion of proceeds from these trips will be donated to Noyo Center. 

All ages welcome.

What's included:
-2 hour trip out the sea board the Telstar
-cabin and restroom on vessel
-welcome to bring anything you'd like to eat or drink
-dress weather appropriate; layers for warmth

Finding Nemo, Jr.
presented by
Gloriana Musical Theatre

March 21-23 and March 28-30, 2025 

Noyo Center is pleased to join Art Explorers and Animal Communicator as a sponsor for these events.

BUY TICKETS

Guided Whale Walk

March 23

12 PM – 1 PM

Free (Suggested donation $10)
(map)

Join Noyo Center docents for this one-hour walk along the Coastal Trail and learn about the gray whale migration and local marine life.

South Coastal Trail. Start at the parking lot of the South Coastal Trail on the Noyo Headlands and end at the Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center.

Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study

Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center, Noyo Headlands South Trail

(Please park in designated areas only)

Sunday, March 23
10 am – 2 pm
Free

Join Scott and Tree Mercer, founders of Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study, for gray whale counting from the deck of the Crow’s Nest and learn more about their important research.

THIS SUNDAY March 23rd, is Leadership Mendocino's Volunteer Beach Clean Up

10 AM at Noyo Beach, Fort Bragg
Parking lot is at the end of N. Harbor Dr.

A program of North Coast Opportunities, Inc.

Leadership Mendocino knows that giving back has benefits well beyond the initial effort. Join fellow Leadership Mendocino alumni and the crew from the Noyo Center for Marine Science as we clean up Noyo Beach at the mouth of Noyo Harbor. After the cleanup we'll stop by the Noyo Center Marine Field Station for optional hot chocolate and a quick talk about their programs.

Families and friends welcome. Dress warm as you never know what weather we'll get.

Noyo Center Marine Field Station is at 32430 N. Harbor Dr.

Finding Nemo, Jr.
presented by
Gloriana Musical Theatre

March 21-23 and March 28-30, 2025 

Noyo Center is pleased to join Art Explorers and Animal Communicator as a sponsor for these events.

BUY TICKETS

Guided Whale Walk

March 22

12 PM – 1 PM

Free (Suggested donation $10)
(map)

Join Noyo Center docents for this one-hour walk along the Coastal Trail and learn about the gray whale migration and local marine life.

South Coastal Trail. Start at the parking lot of the South Coastal Trail on the Noyo Headlands and end at the Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center.

Finding Nemo, Jr.
presented by
Gloriana Musical Theatre

March 21-23 and March 28-30, 2025 

Noyo Center is pleased to join Art Explorers and Animal Communicator as a sponsor for these events.

BUY TICKETS

Five New Discoveries About Orcas

Originally Aired Tuesday, March 18, 2025 on Zoom

Guest Presenter: Andrew Trites
Director, Marine Mammal Research Unit
University of British Columbia, Vancouver

Dr. Trites oversees the Marine Mammal Research Unit and a research program that involves captive and field studies of seals, sea lions, whales and dolphins.

His research is primarily focused on pinnipeds (Steller sea lions, northern fur seals, and harbor seals) and involves captive studies, field studies and simulation models that range from single species to whole ecosystems. His research spans the fields of ecology, nutrition, physiology, and animal behavior—and is designed to further the conservation of marine mammals. It is also designed to further the conservation and understanding of marine mammals and resolve conflicts between people and marine mammals. The research program includes researchers, students, technicians, and support staff. The training of students, and the collaboration between researchers specializing in other disciplines (such as nutrition, ecology, physiology and oceanography) is central to the success of his research program. 

Guided Whale Walk

March 16

12 PM – 1 PM

Free (Suggested donation $10)
(map)

Join Noyo Center docents for this one-hour walk along the Coastal Trail and learn about the gray whale migration and local marine life.

South Coastal Trail. Start at the parking lot of the South Coastal Trail on the Noyo Headlands and end at the Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center.

Mendocino Whale War
Whale Activists Panel and Discussion
March 15

Presented by Noyo Center
and the Kelley House

Kelley House
45007 Albion Street, Mendocino, CA 95460

4-5:30 PM
$7 Members; $10 Non-Members

Event Information and Tickets: https://www.kelleyhousemuseum.org/event/whale-war-panel/

A panel and temporary exhibition at the Kelley House featuring some of the people who were instrumental in the Mendocino Whale War of 1976. During the Q&A portion of the panel, Noyo staff will be available to help answer questions about the state of whaling today, how whale populations have rebounded off the US West Coast after marine mammal protection act came into law in 1972 and how whale recovery has helped our fisheries to recover. Also, a great opportunity to snag your vintage design Save the Whales t-shirt!

Guided Whale Walk

March 15

12 PM – 1 PM

Free (Suggested donation $10)
(map)

Join Noyo Center docents for this one-hour walk along the Coastal Trail and learn about the gray whale migration and local marine life.

South Coastal Trail. Start at the parking lot of the South Coastal Trail on the Noyo Headlands and end at the Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center.

North Coast Brewing Brewmaster's Sustainable Seafood Dinner

The Pub at North Coast Brewing Co.

Thursday, March 13

6:30 - 9 PM

$125/ticket includes 5 beers paired with 5 sustainable seafood courses

Tickets and Information

A special brewmaster’s dinner to support Noyo Center for Marine Science. Each beer will be presented by the brewmaster and paired with a sustainable seafood course. Drink and eat merrily knowing your brew is local, your seafood is sustainable, and proceeds help keep whales safe and the ocean healthy.

Whale Watching on the Telstar
with Noyo Center Naturalists

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Telstar Charters
32390 N. Harbor Drive in Fort Bragg
MAP

1:00-3:00 PM
$54.48/person

BOOK YOUR TRIP

Join the Telstar crew and a guest Noyo Center naturalist for an education focused excursion. Embarking from Noyo Harbor, we will spend two hours at sea conducting community science together. From bird watching, to whale and seal spotting to plankton tows each trip will be tailored to current and local wildlife with expert naturalist interpretation along the way. A portion of proceeds from these trips will be donated to Noyo Center. 

All ages welcome.

What's included:
-2 hour trip out the sea board the Telstar
-cabin and restroom on vessel
-welcome to bring anything you'd like to eat or drink
-dress weather appropriate; layers for warmth

Whale Watching on the Telstar
with Noyo Center Naturalists

Friday, March 5, 2025
Telstar Charters
32390 N. Harbor Drive in Fort Bragg
MAP

1:00-3:00 PM
$54.48/person

BOOK YOUR TRIP

Join the Telstar crew and a guest Noyo Center naturalist for an education focused excursion. Embarking from Noyo Harbor, we will spend two hours at sea conducting community science together. From bird watching, to whale and seal spotting to plankton tows each trip will be tailored to current and local wildlife with expert naturalist interpretation along the way. A portion of proceeds from these trips will be donated to Noyo Center. 

All ages welcome.

What's included:
-2 hour trip out the sea board the Telstar
-cabin and restroom on vessel
-welcome to bring anything you'd like to eat or drink
-dress weather appropriate; layers for warmth

Eastern Pacific Gray Whales
with Tanya Smart

Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Noyo Center Marine Field Station
32430 N. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg

5-6PM Happy Hour
Wine, beer, drinks, snacks

6-730PM Presentation

In this program we will explore how to interpret the natural history of the Eastern Pacific Gray Whale including adaptations for the aquatic habitat, current estimates of the population and how to help visitors see them from land.

Come early between 5-6 for drinks, snacks and a chance to swap your favorite gray whale tales before the talk begins.

Following the presentation there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

There is no admission for this event, although your donations support our programming and the costs associated with bringing you these presentations.

Thank you for your support! DONATE here.

The Geologic History of the Northern California Coastline 

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Guest Presenter: Nicole Myers
Sonoma State university

The Northern California coastline was located far east of its current location and has very slowly migrated westward as the North American continent slowly grows. While the dinosaurs walked the Earth a deep ocean trench and volcanic eruptions marked the edge of California, until the formation of the San Andreas tectonic boundary created geologic complexity along the western edge of the continent. As the coastline rose out of the sea and sea levels fluctuated, ocean circulation evolved as climate continued to relentlessly change. The rocks tell the story of the rise and fall of islands, ancient volcanism, forming faults, and evolving ecosystems. Join geologist Nicole Myers to explore the geologic history of the Northern California coastline and learn how the rocks, tectonic plates, faults, ocean waters, and life have evolved for hundreds of millions of years.

Nicole Myers, M.S. in Geological Sciences, developed a passion for understanding the Earth from a childhood fascination with rocks and volcanoes, and now teaches others to appreciate planet Earth. Nicole has been teaching Earth science classes, including geology, climatology, & Earth history for more than 18 years. She currently teaches at Sonoma State University, and through Appreciating Earth (www.appreciatingearth.com) Nicole brings her enthusiasm to the community by offering Earth science field explorations and presentations. 

There is no fee for our science talks, although your donations support our programming, and the costs associated with bringing you these presentations.

Thank you for your support! DONATE here.