Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Wilmington, N.C. - University of North Carolina Wilmington is joining other universities, aquariums and marine science centers in celebrating World Ocean Week with education events showcasing the diverse research opportunities that come from the ocean.

Programming for World Ocean Week is in partnership with UNCW's Division for Public Service, the Center for Marine Science, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and Cape Fear Community College.

To register for these programs, call 910/962.3195 or visit www.uncw.edu/publicservice before May 26 unless otherwise noted.

World Ocean Week Schedule and Event Details:

State of the Ocean with Carl Safina, Blue Ocean Institute President
Join one of the nation's prominent ecologist and marine conservationist and president of the Blue Ocean Institute as he delivers the State of the Ocean address. Safina is the winner of both a prestigious Pew Fellowship and a MacArthur Fellowship. He has written or co-written three books, Song for the Blue Ocean: Encounters Along the World's Coasts and Beneath the Seas, Seafood Lover's Almanac and Eye of the Albatross: Visions of Hope and Survival. Safina has helped in the efforts to ban high-seas driftnets and overhaul federal fisheries laws in the U.S. and has persuaded fishermen to call for and abide by international agreements to restore depleted populations of marine life. In 1995, he was a force behind the passage of a new fisheries treaty through the United Nations, and in 1996 the U.S. Congress incorporated some of his ideas in the Sustainable Fisheries Act, which required rebuilding of marine-life populations depleted by fishing. He pursuaded several prominent restaurateurs in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C to remove swordfish from their menus.
6 - 8:30 p.m. ▪ Thursday, June 1 ▪ $45 Register before May 26 by calling the NC Aquarium, 910/458.5478. This event is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Aquarium and UNCW. Odyssey Program and includes dinner with wine/beer and a book signing.

Trolling the River on the Martech with Jason Rogers, Cape Fear Community College Marine Biology Department Chair
Spend the morning on the 53-foot Martech, CFCC's research vessel, sampling local fish populations on the Cape Fear River. Learn how to examine the ecology of the many different native fish populations. This expedition takes place rain or shine unless lightening is predicted the day before. The Martech is equipped with many modern conveniences including restrooms.
9 a.m. - Noon ▪ Friday, June 2 ▪ $30

The Human Health Connection with Daniel G. Baden, Ph.D., UNCW Center for Marine Science Director and William R. Kenan Distinguished Professor of Marine Science
Join Baden and to learn how marine science research is contributing to human health and the betterment of life on our planet. Baden serves on panels and review groups for the National Institutes of Health in nursing; comparative medicine; oceans and human health; and on the Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) Council. He participated in a group involved in developing and executing the ocean health exhibits for the US Pavilion for World Expo 98 in Lisbon, Portugal. More recently, he participated in the NIEHS program exploring the future of Metabolic Profiling and chaired the 15-year review of the Superfund Basic Research Program. Currently serving on the Board of Governors of the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education, he conducts ground-breaking research on harmful algal blooms and marine toxins. His most recent work focuses on marine toxins and using their derivatives as potential therapeutic agents.
Noon - 2 p.m. ▪ Monday, June 5 ▪ $15

Birds of the Tidal Creeks by Kayak with Andy Wood, Director of Education, North Carolina Audubon Society
Kayak to Masonboro Island and travel the meandering creeks observing shorebirds, wading birds, terns, skimmers and the small marsh denizens that make this area such a treasure to explore. Wood has literally spent a lifetime pursuing small critters and exploring unique and interesting habitats. His focus on environmental conservation spans over 30 years, beginning as a 15-year-old in a Connecticut nature center. In addition to authoring numerous environmental articles and appearing on local and national television and radio news networks, he has provided a weekly commentary on the many natural wonders of southeastern North Carolina for Wilmington public radio WHQR for more than 13 years. Wood authored the most recent North Carolina-specific insert to the Audubon Adventures classroom learning kit.
9 a.m. - Noon ▪ Tuesday, June 6 ▪ $70

Energy in America, Bargain or Rip-Off? with Fritz Kapraun, Ph.D., UNCW Professor of Biology and Marine Biology
Electricity and petroleum are currently our most important energy sources. Are prices rising to meet market demand or are we being taken for a ride? His entertaining insights into cost/benefits analysis may surprise you. Kapraun's research focus on developing marine bio-products as renewable resources.
5:30 - 8:30 p.m. ▪ Tuesday, June 6 ▪ $25

Our Edible Ocean Resources with Martin Posey, Ph.D., UNCW Department Chair and Professor of Estuarine Ecology
People have long depended on the ocean for food, commerce, and various resources. However, our use of ocean resources has changed dramatically over the past 100 years, with consequences for both marine habitats and how we view the marine environment. Posey will examine and explain historical use of coastal and marine resources, its changing nature, impacts to coastal organisms and habitats, and future prospects for these habitats and organisms. Join Posey for a Meet 'em and Eat 'em program that you'll be sure to remember. He studies factors determining species composition in marine bottom communities, particularly the effects of predation, competition, biological disturbance, introduced species and eutrophication on community structure.
10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. ▪ Wednesday, June 7 ▪ $29

A Love Affair with Wrightsville Sound with Anne McCrary, Ph.D., UNCW Faculty Emeritus and daughter, Anne Sullivan
Seventy five years ago, McCrary accompanied her father as they navigated the sloughs and channels of Wrightsville Sound. During her teens, she would paddle her wooden boat with the Field Book of Seashore Life and learn about the biological habits and relations of all the marine animals. She has observed many changes over time-removing the trolley tracks, building bridges and roads to the beaches, and pristine marshes filled with housing developments. Yet, she still finds a rich, diverse marine habitat that still dominates her conversations. Join McCrary and friends for a biologically lyrical trip beginning in the 1920s.
10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. ▪ Thursday, June 8 ▪ $15

Turtles, the Ancient Travelers of Land and Sea with Andy Wood, Director of Education, North Carolina Audubon Society
As an engaging introduction to the wondrous lives of North Carolina turtles-Snapping, Box, Spotted and Musk-each turtle has a descriptive story of evolution and history. Turtles are a study in survivorship with many lessons to share regarding community conservation and living a long, healthy and prosperous life. As always, Wood will have some of his Ancient Travelers with him.
5:30 - 8 p.m. ▪ Friday, June 9 ▪ $25

Canoe to Zeke's Island with North Carolina Aquarium Staff
For ages 12 and up, this three hour exploration of the Zeke's Island Estuarine Research Reserve takes place via canoe and on foot. Observe and learn about the native plant and animal species who call the island home. Crabbing and seining included. Life jackets provided.
1 - 5 p.m. ▪ Saturday, June 10 ▪ $20

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