IN THIS ISSUE

Sanctuary Expansion on Hold?

3D Model

Meet Ellen Gartside

Endangered Spotlight: Fin Whale

 

---

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

Whale Watching Trips

Coming in January 2009

 

 

12/18 Turtle Talk with Scott Benson at Randall Museum.

 

 

Have you had an interesting experience in the Sanctuary?

Tell us your story in 400-600 words. Send it to the editor at smarti@farallones.org.

 

 

 

Donate to FMSA today!

 

 

 

 

Sanctuary Expansion on Hold?

For the past year, friends and supporters of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary happily awaited the news that the size of the Sanctuary had been doubled and prepared to celebrate.

But something happened on the way to the celebration.

Continued >>

 

 

Check out the New 3D Model!

The  Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center at Crissy Field has a new teaching tool in the form of a 3D model of a section of the Farallon Islands. It is an educational and outreach prop for the Visitor Center marine science programs.

The 3D model is approx 3.5 ft long by 2ft wide by 3.5ft tall. It is constructed out of wood, chicken wire, and paper-maché and is populated by animals made out of clay and plastic. The top section shows the islands above the water with seabirds like Common Murre and Tufted Puffin, and Harbor Seals resting on the kelp covered rocks.

Continued >>

 

 

 

Meet Ellen Gartside

It’s not just a walk on the beach.  Every sense is on heightened alert. And I love Montara  Beach -- it’s one my favorite places on Earth.

Beach Watch is always like an Easter egg hunt.  I never know what I am going to find or see. It’s always beautiful and amazing, watching pelicans fly or finding the perfect piece of beach glass.  It is an opportunity to stay connected in a meaningful way.

Continued >>

 

 

Endangered Spotlight: Fin Whale

Commercial hunting of fin whales was banned by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1976.  This, unfortunately, does not guarantee them protection from humans. 

Recently, a large container ship struck and killed a 47-foot fin whale as it made its way to the Port of Long Beach.  Crew members, including the Captain, were not aware the strike occurred until they pulled into the harbor. 

Continued >>

 

 

Photo Credits: California sea lions: MojosCoast. Model: Pete Winch. Montara Beach: Beach Watch. Fin Whale: Lori Mazzuca