Sea Otter Awareness Week
September 22 - 28, 2019
Sea Otter Awareness Week falls on the last week in September and is an annual recognition of the vital role that sea otters play in the nearshore ecosystem. Each year, zoos, aquariums, natural history museums, marine institutions, filmmakers, researchers, academics, educators, and the public participate in various events and activities highlighting sea otters and their natural history and the various conservation issues sea otters are faced with.
Events
The Good, the Bad, and the Cute: Stories of the Southern Sea Otter
Date: August 15th, 2019 from 5:30 - 7PM
Location: Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA 95076
Sea Otters captivate tourists and locals alike, and nowhere are they easier to find than in Elkhorn Slough. Join our panelists to hear stories of challenge and success from the otter research world, and discover where conservation efforts are headed. This free community lecture will feature a unique sea otter story from three local experts, followed by an opportunity to share your questions with the experts. The formal presentation begins at 6pm, but guests are invited to join us early at 5:30pm for an short stroll with the speakers. No RSVP is required, first-come seating.
Panelists include:
Michelle Staedler (Sea Otter Program, Monterey Bay Aquarium)
Melissa Miller (California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response)
Ron Eby (Research Otter Monitoring Program, Elkhorn Slough Reserve)
For more information, check out: https://www.elkhornslough.org/events/stories-of-the-southern-sea-otter/
Marine Science Sunday: Sea Otter Spectacular
Date: September 15, 2019 from 10AM – 4PM
Location: The Marine Mammal Center, 2000 Bunker Road, Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito, CA 94965
Join us in kicking off the beginning of Sea Otter Awareness Week at The Marine Mammal Center, the world’s largest marine mammal hospital and education facility! Did you know that the sea otter is the furriest animal in the entire world? The smallest marine mammal is also one of the most special with adaptations to stay warm, find food, and even use tools! This month we celebrate the threatened species with our Sea Otter Spectacular in a fun, educational way for both kids and adults. We recommend teaming our free Marine Science Sunday classroom programs about sea otters at 12 pm and 2 pm with a Guided Tour at 11am, 1pm or 3pm for a truly immersive marine mammal experience.
For more information, check out: Marine Science Sunday: Sea Otter Spectacular.
Sea Otter Outreach Stations
Date: September 22-28, 2019
Location: Check out the map to find a location near you!
Meet volunteers to experience wild sea otters from some of the best viewing locations in California and learn what you can do to help protect them!
For more information, check out: https://www.seaottersavvy.org/get-savvy-at-our-sea-otter-awareness-week-viewing-stations
Elkhorn Slough Reserve Open House
Date: September 28th, 10AM - 4PM
Location: Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA 95076
Explore behind the scenes on a campus tour, chat with our scientists, paint a wooden wetland critter, and magnify the wildlife in a teaspoon of slough water at our microscope lab. The Elkhorn Slough Reserve's annual Open House showcases the wildlife and conservation work happening in the Elkhorn Slough Watershed. In honor of Sea Otter Awareness Week, the Reserve's Open House will host additional, Sea-Otter themed activities. Get hands-on with otter artifacts, learn about research from our otter monitoring team, and grab a pair of binoculars to go spot some live ones out in the field! Free fun for everyone — plus tacos, burritos and beverages on sale all day!
For more information, check out: https://www.elkhornslough.org/events/reserve-open-house-and-native-plant-fair/
