Our Story

In the past few years, the Noyo Center for Marine Science has grown exponentially. Each year we serve hundreds of students with a variety of field trips and in classroom educational experiences, and see thousands of visitors in our two interpretive centers, the Crow’s Nest on the Noyo Headlands Trail, and the Discovery Center in downtown Fort Bragg. There you can see marine animal specimens collected and articulated by our team with the help of student interns and community members, learn about the state of our oceans, and experience the ways that art and technology can bring science to life. Our facilities are friendly to all ages and accessibilities.

Read on to learn more about our vision and history and consider donating to support our work.

How We Started

The initiative to develop the Noyo Center for Marine Science grew out of public and municipal efforts to diversify and revitalize the economy and community of Fort Bragg as the former Georgia-Pacific lumber mill site redevelopment began.

Comprising over a third of the City’s total jurisdiction, including nearly three miles of Fort Bragg’s coastline, the redevelopment of the Georgia Pacific lumber mill site has been the focal activity of the City of Fort Bragg for a number of years. Through many workshops and meetings, the Fort Bragg community identified a marine science and education center as a high priority to anchor initial Mill Site reuse activities and help generate living wage jobs in the community. The future Noyo Center facility will become a showcase for sustainable development on the mill site and around the community with a mission to explore our dynamic connection with the ocean and to inspire the next generation of ocean and environmental leaders.