Opening Day Fanfare at State-of-the-Art California Marine Education Center
New 24-hour web cam offers public intimate view of Ano Nuevo Reserve Elephant
Seals breeding colony
WHAT: The Ano Nuevo State Reserve is a holding a grand opening for
the California State Park's newest education center that tracks
and tells the story of the natural history of the charismatic
elephant seals. Ano Nuevo State Reserve is a designated
viewable Wildlife Protection Area and home to one of the largest
mainland breeding colonies of northern elephant seals in the
world. One of the highlights of the Marine Education Center is
its new state-of-the-art web cam that visitors can self operate
to view the elephant seal in its natural habitat on nearby Ano
Nuevo Island. The public can view seals interacting with each
other, giving birth and feeding young pups. Other marine life,
including the Stellar sea lion, California sea lion and the
harbor seal, can also be viewed.
The Marine Education Center is housed within three historic
structures, which are listed on the national historical building
registry. These buildings were saved from destruction for the
sole purpose of housing new education facilities for school
programs, space for exhibits and an administrative center. More
than 7,400 feet of floor space was added or modified to
accommodate the growing popularity of the state reserve. Ano
Nuevo is one of the most visited of California's state parks
with more than 200,000 annual visitors including 25,000 school
children.
This effort is a prime example of new leadership in
public/private partnerships and how the two entities can
collaborate to ensure California's public lands are preserved
for future generations.
The California State Parks Foundation, the California Department
of Parks and Recreation and the San Mateo Coast Natural History
Association raised more than $3 million for the project from key
donors including Steve Blank and Alison Elliott; California
Coastal Conservancy; The David and Lucile Packard Foundation;
Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund; Gabilan Foundation; Silicon
Valley Community Foundation; Stephen D. Bechtel, Jr.; David B.
Gold Foundation; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; San Mateo
Coast Natural History Association; Giles W. and Elise G. Mead
Foundation; National Park Service; Donald E. and Diane Cooley;
The Mary A. Crocker Trust; Philanthropic Ventures Foundation.
WHO: Elizabeth Goldstein, President, California State Parks
Foundation
Ruth Coleman, Director, California Department of Parks and
Recreation
Steve Blank, Commissioner, California Coastal Commission;
Chairman, California Audubon; Neighbor/Donor
Gary Strachen, Supervising Ranger, Ano Nuevo State Reserve
WHEN June 3, 2008
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, VIP Tours and Media Availability
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM, News Conference/Grand Opening and Kelp
Cutting (open to the public)
WHERE: Ano Nuevo State Reserve
Located on State Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay,
about 1.5 hours south of San Francisco.
VISUALS: Kelp Cutting (ribbon cutting with kelp)
Private elephant seal tours (in advance or day of event)
Tour of new Marine Education Center
School children participating in interactive activities
Stunning views of natural coastline including wildlife, cliffs,
beaches, islands, and ocean waters
* B-Roll available
** VNR Available
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080519/AQM158)
CONTACT: Bill Bradley
916/658-0144
916/213-5230
bill@perrycom.com
PRNewswire -- May 19
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080519/AQM158
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Ano Nuevo State Reserve
2008-05-19 17:15:17 0365717 PRNEWSWIRE