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Join Us for an Evening of Science, Community & Conservation
and a Summer BBQ

Special Guest: Moe Flannery
Ornithology and Mammalogy Collections Manager
at California Academy of Sciences

Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Noyo Center Marine Field Station
32430 N. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg

Tickets: $25

6:00-7:30 PM - All Ticketholders
5:00-6:00 PM - Blue Whale Member and Special Invitee Early Reception

A Rare Glimpse and Expert Insights

In April, an adolescent minke whale's death in the Bay provided a rare opportunity to gather vital information on this less-common species in our region. The Marine Mammal Center performed the necropsy and the Noyo Center processed its skull for the Cal Academy of Sciences’ collection. Now it's ready for its first public showing alongside a rare beaked whale skeleton being prepared for articulation this summer.

Join us for this special event featuring Moe Flannery, Ornithology and Mammalogy Collections Manager at California Academy of Sciences, and leader of their marine mammal stranding response program. Moe will share insights into what they’ve seen this spring and their ongoing field work along the California coastline. You'll also hear compelling stories and perspectives on large whale strandings from Noyo Center's Sheila Semans, Sarah Grimes, and Sara Sundberg.

Your ticket includes a summer bar-b-que dinner on the deck, including burgers, gourmet sausages, fixings and side dishes. (Vegan options available)

Wine, beer and other beverages will be available for purchase.

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Explore the Secret World of Urchins
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Saturday, May 3, 2025
12-3 PM
Discovery Center Science Museum
338 N. Main St., Fort Bragg

Join Noyo Center scientist Lauren Nutt and  Amanda Meriwether from The Exploratorium for a glimpse into the unseen life of urchins. As part of their "Seeing Scientifically" project, Noyo Center and The Exploratorium are using innovative techniques to reveal the hidden beauty and processes of these fascinating creatures. Come witness remarkable imagery captured at the field station and learn how we're making the invisible visible.

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

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

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Saturday, April 5, 2025
Noyo Center Marine Field Station

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.