news from the seattle aquarium society isaac and commander

N E W S F R O M T H E S E AT T L E A Q U A R I U M S O C I E T Y
OUR MISSION: Inspiring Conservation
of our Marine Environment.
Fall 2009
ISAAC AND COMMANDER SWITCH-A-ROO
Northern fur seals move coast-to-coast to trade places
Isaac, a Northern fur seal born nine years ago at the Seattle Aquarium, recently found
a new home at Boston’s New England Aquarium, where it is hoped he will breed with
their female fur seals to help increase the captive population of these charming animals.
Taking his place at the Aquarium is Commander, who arrived in Seattle in May. After his
quarantine period, he joined the other Northern fur seals in their exhibit on the morning
of July 8. By all accounts, the introduction was smooth and uneventful.
Commander isn’t old enough to compete for dominance with Al, the Aquarium’s
remaining male – who, incidentally, weighs in at about 700 pounds. Woodstock, the
only female in residence at the Aquarium, is 20 years old, past the normal breeding age
for Northern fur seals and, despite being with a viable male, has never been pregnant.
Commander spends most of his time interacting with
Woodstock but as he has gotten more comfortable in
his new surroundings, he has pushed his boundaries
with Al – and occasionally receives a warning lunge,
growl or bark in response.
Issac
Commander
About Commander:
Commander was born at the Mystic Aquarium
in Mystic, Connecticut on June 24, 2003. His
parents were originally exhibited at the Point
Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma before
being transferred to the Mystic Aquarium – so
his return to the Puget Sound area is a bit of
a homecoming.
Commander is
the first older
animal to join
the Aquarium’s
fur seal group.
Other than
the original
fur seals
brought into
the Aquarium
Commander introduces himself
when it
opened in 1977, the only animals that have
ever joined our collection have either been
born here or brought in as rehabilitated pups.
Al
Why increase the
captive population of
Northern fur seals?
Woodstock
Currently, there are only 13 fur seals left
in zoos and aquariums in the U.S. – three
of them at the Seattle Aquarium – and all
are getting older. Aquarium managers have
recently teamed together and implemented
a nationwide program to increase the
number of fur seals in captivity. Why not take
additional fur seals from the wild? Because
they are declared ‘depleted’ under the
Marine Mammal Protection Act and federal
law makes permitting difficult. Plus, from a
conservation standpoint, the Aquarium avoids
negatively impacting the wild population of
the animals we exhibit.
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SEATTLE AQUARIUM: THE REGION’S GATHERING PLACE
FOR MARINE CONSERVATION ISSUES
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT
THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM?
A new mission Inspiring Conservation of our Marine Environment adopted in 2005 and the expanded space
that opened in 2007 set the stage for the Seattle Aquarium to take its place as the region’s premier venue for sharing
information on marine conservation issues and policy. Exemplifying that status, the Aquarium has hosted numerous
important events this year, several of which are highlighted here.
Volunteer: Seattle Aquarium volunteers share their time,
meet people with similar interests and assist guests in
appreciating the unique qualities and valuable education
the Aquarium has to offer.
February 2009: Puget Sound Partnership/
Environment Canada conference social
Purchase a gift membership: Share your love of the
ocean and its creatures with a family you love by giving
them a Seattle Aquarium membership. A great value and
a fabulous way to support the Aquarium.
Puget Sound Partnership and Environment Canada co-hosted
their biennial Puget Sound Georgia Basin conference in
Seattle, February 8-11. The event drew more than 1,100
scientists, policymakers, community leaders and academics
from all over North America who exchanged the latest
science, knowledge and insights into efforts to conserve
and protect one of the most ecologically rich transboundary
ecosystems in the world. The Seattle Aquarium was the site
of a welcome reception for attendees and participants, with
speakers that included David Dicks, Executive Director of the
Puget Sound Partnership; Billy Frank Jr., Chair of the Northwest
Indian Fisheries Commission; and Jennifer Lash, Director of
British Columbia’s Living Oceans Society.
March 2009: “Turning the Tide on Toxics” workshop
People for Puget Sound selected the Seattle Aquarium as the
venue for their workshop, which was geared toward people
who lead groups of volunteers and featured information about
toxic chemicals in our daily lives – and how those chemicals
find their way into Puget Sound.
2009 OTTER OPEN
GOLF CLASSIC
The D.A. Davidson & Co.
Otter Open Golf Classic D. A. DAVIDSON & CO.
was held at Broadmoor
Golf Club on Monday,
September 21. Over
120 golfers participated
in the 9th annual event.
Returning sponsors such
GOLF CLASSIC
as Title Sponsor D.A.
Davidson & Co. and
Reception Sponsor Pinnacle, as well as new partnerships
with organizations such as Fenwick & West LLP and
Tulalip Resort Casino ensured a spectacular tournament.
The highlight of the mini-live auction was a sponsorship
by Lexus Champions for Charity that allowed attendees
to bid on the opportunity to travel to Pebble Beach and
participate in the Lexus Champions for Charity tournament
and a $100,000 purse. Thank you Lexus of Bellevue!
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April 2009: “A Sea Change” screening
The Seattle Aquarium was the site of one of Seattle’s
few screenings of the first documentary devoted to ocean
acidification: “A Sea Change.” Board members from The
Bullitt Foundation and Long Live the Kings were among
those in attendance.
April-June 2009: Sound Conversations
Over 800 guests attended the second year of Sound
Conversations, our lecture series devoted to issues facing
Puget Sound and moderated by KING TV’s Jeff Renner. This
year’s experts included Thomas Quinn of the University of
Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences; our
own Traci Belting, Curator of Mammals and Birds; and John
Delaney, Professor of Oceanography at the UW. Watch for
next year’s lineup, to be announced in a
future issue of Currents.
June 2009: Orca Network event
Orca Network joined the Seattle Aquarium and Puget Sound
Partnership to sponsor an evening devoted to our region’s
Southern Resident killer whales – past, present and future.
The event featured never-revealed film and commentary by
the late Don McGaffin, KING 5 TV reporter at the disastrous
1971 Penn Cove orca capture. Former Secretary of State
Ralph Munro, Karen Munro, Bill Ruckelshaus of the Puget
Sound Partnership, Howard Garrett of Orca Network, Gary
Chittim of KING 5 TV and more were on hand to share their
thoughts. The evening also included a slide show prepared
by Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research.
SHIFT TO INTEGRATED
ORGANIZATION MOVES FORWARD
A joint Transition Working Group is working with the City
Council to complete an agreement by year-end to achieve
unified management of the Seattle Aquarium under the
auspices of the Seattle Aquarium Society, a 501(c (3) nonprofit
organization. The Working Group includes representatives
from the City of Seattle Parks and Finance Departments, City
Council staff and the Seattle Aquarium Society. This direction
was established by Mayor Greg Nickels and the City Council
to assure a strong financial future for the Seattle Aquarium in
support of its mission, and to bring it into conformance with
the best management practices of other leading American
aquariums and zoos.
The Seattle Aquarium is a division of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department, Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor;
Timothy A. Gallagher, Superintendent; John R. Braden, Director.
Make a donation: It just feels good to support
the Seattle Aquarium and everything it does in our
community. Tribute gifts in honor of a friend or family
member are meaningful ways to show you care.
Visit seattleaquarium.org to volunteer, join or donate.
RECENT ACTIVITY AT THE
SEATTLE AQUARIUM INCLUDES…
Beginning a study of the giant Pacific squid.
Moroteuthis robusta, in cooperation with the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife and Virginia Mason Benaroya
Research Institute. The study will focus on the conservation
genetics of these large, elusive squid.
RESULTS FROM SPLASH! 2009
Our annual gala, Splash!,
was held on June 12, 2009.
Tod and Tara Leiweke and
Tim and Linda Ruskell of the
Seattle Seahawks served as
Honorary Chairs; Mary L. Bass
of Wells Fargo and Bill Chapin
of the Seattle Seahawks and
Sounders FC served as the
event Co-Chairs. With support
from The Boeing Company, Title Sponsor, the Seattle Seahawks,
Presenting Sponsor, and a lead education program gift from the
Wells Fargo Foundation, the evening raised $775,000.
The Society would like to acknowledge event Chair Mary L. Bass.
The 2009 gala concluded her three-year tenure as Splash! Chair.
Mary has dedicated countless hours and used her natural talent
for networking and her love for the Aquarium to make Splash!
the success it is today. Thank you Mary!
Many thanks to all of our supporters. A successful event
requires the support of many moving parts – the Board of
Directors, sponsors, guests, donors, volunteers and staff. We
thank you for your help in making our event a success.
Splash! 2010 is scheduled for Friday, June 4 – we look
forward to seeing you there.
Providing professional development for teachers in
ocean literacy principles and watershed ecosystems.
The Seattle Aquarium’s education staff members are teaching
25 teachers from the Puget Sound area as a part of our Ocean
Science program, funded by NOAA, for 4th and 5th graders.
Working with local community nonprofits and
businesses to explain and explore the waters in our
backyard. The Seattle Aquarium joins the Duwamish River
Cleanup Coalition and Alki Kayak Tours in a series of two-hour
kayak tours of the Lower Duwamish River to see the river
up close, view habitat restoration areas, ongoing Superfund
cleanup sites, riverfront neighborhoods and wildlife. See our
website for registration information.
Mary L. Bass, Bill Chapin, Tod Leiweke, Tim Ruskell, Robert W. Davidson
AQUARIUM’S SUSAN BULLERDICK HONORED
Susan Bullerdick, our COSEE-Ocean Learning Communities (Center for Ocean Science Education
Excellence) Operations Manager, was named the 2009 Outstanding Aquatic/Marine Educator at the
Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators (NAME) conference in Vancouver, B.C. on July 21. NAME is
a chapter of the National Marine Educators Association, a non-profit organization that brings together
those interested in the study and enjoyment of the world of water. NAME is made up of educators
and scientists from Oregon, Washington, Alaska and British Columbia who are passionate about oceans
and watersheds. They believe in the magic of the world of water and its ability to facilitate learning.
For more information, visit pacname.org.
COSEE-OLC is a National Science Foundation funded partnership among the UW College of Ocean
and Fishery Sciences, UW College of Education and Seattle Aquarium. COSEE-OLC connects ocean
scientists, formal/informal educators, marine organizations and volunteers in order to increase ocean literacy and help citizens
become better stewards of their marine environment.
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TWO LIFE-CHANGING WEEKS IN PARADISE
Notes from Marine Science Education Coordinator Karen Matsumoto’s trip to the Midway Atoll
Karen Matsumoto of the Seattle Aquarium was recently part of a select group invited to attend
an environmental leadership program on the Midway Atoll, which is located 1,300 miles
northwest of Hawaii and is part of the Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument. The
monument encompasses roughly 140,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean, an area larger
than all the country’s national parks combined.
The program was sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). Out of more than 70 nominees, Karen was chosen to be one of twelve people who
participated in the ten-day experiential leadership program. Entitled Papahanaumokuakea
’Ahahui Alaka’i (PAA), the program is designed for “…teachers, business people, policy-makers
as well as potential community leaders interested in learning and being inspired by science
and traditional knowledge management practices … This workshop brings together a broad
range of interests and knowledge to ultimately inspire active stewardship of natural and cultural
resources by participants within their home communities.” According to the program’s website,
the Hawaiian word/acronym PA’A means steadfast, learned, determined, strong, to hold, keep,
retain. Following are excerpts from Karen’s travel journal.
Karen and abandoned fishing nets
Sand Island on Midway Atoll fits most
people’s idea of a tropical paradise. Bicycling
across the island, I dodge baby albatrosses
waiting for their parents to return with food.
I learn that the adult birds fly 1,200 miles
every other week to the Bering Sea and
points beyond. The young birds are not wary
of humans. Now and then one of them will
clack its bill at me and I hear coos or peeps
from near and far as they call out to their
parents. The fledglings sit in fields of fragrant
white flowers in roughly formed nests. The
parent birds ignore humans as they feed
their chicks, regurgitating squid and other
food they have foraged from distant seas.
They are dedicated parents, and it is a joy to
watch them with their young.
Roads criss-cross the island and the old airstrips built by the
U.S. military during WWII are still here. Many of the albatross
nesting grounds are alongside and even on the roads. The
ground around the nesting areas
is strewn with garbage: cigarette
lighters, fishing line, toothbrushes,
bottle caps, and plastic of all
colors, shapes and sizes. These
have been brought back mixed
with the squid and fish eggs
collected by the parents to feed
their young. Floating in the sea,
the garbage was first swallowed
by the parents, then regurgitated
and swallowed by the growing
Karen and albatross baby
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babies along with food. Albatrosses cough
up indigestible parts of their diets such as
squid beaks and eyeballs – and all kinds
of plastic debris – as boluses similar to owl
pellets. The organic components of the
boluses eventually decompose, leaving the
plastic bits on the ground. Here and there
I come across a decomposed albatross
carcass and I can see the mass of plastic
debris that filled its stomach.
I feel a deep sense of tension between two
views of this beautiful island. It is an idyllic
tropical paradise and at the same time, an
example of an ecological disaster. When
I feel as if the glass is half full, I think of
Midway’s abundant sea bird populations and clear blue
ocean waters. When it seems the glass is half empty, I see a
trash-strewn island where coral, birds, seals, and sea turtles
have an uphill battle to fight extinction.
The most important message I took with me when I left
Midway was that the natural
world here has endured
through years of changing
uses: from a communications
depot, an important military
installation, and finally a
wildlife refuge of global
significance – where people
are working to restore this
beautiful place and keep
its legacy alive for future
generations.
TEEN MENTORING PROGRAM:
SUMMER 2009
By Bryan Rivard, Seattle Aquarium Volunteer
The six-year-old girl purposefully holds the piece of kelp in her hand
as she listens intently to her sea urchin-feeding instructions. “Now just
take the kelp, hold it down on top of the urchin and count to five,” says
a young woman in a blue Seattle Aquarium shirt. A few moments later
the urchin has taken in the kelp, the little girl is excitedly telling her
adventure to her mother, and Jacqui, the girl in the blue shirt, is smiling
broadly. This is her favorite part of her job.
Jacqui is one of four interns in the Seattle Aquarium’s Teen Mentoring
Program. A nine-week summer internship opportunity, funded by the
Peg and Rick Young Foundation, for students of diverse backgrounds to
experience work life in an aquarium setting. The interns – Jacqui, John,
Danielle, and Caitlin – work alongside Life Sciences and Education
Staff, learning what it means to be an aquarium employee. With career
aspirations ranging from marine biology to scientific research with the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the four
already have a better understanding of what it means to have a full
workweek in a biological career.
Each intern spends the first half of his or her day helping the life
sciences staff by working with the animals, feeding, cleaning and
performing the sometimes not-so-glamorous tasks of an aquarium
biologist (which include scrubbing algae off the inside of the salmon
raceway). But working with the biological staff offers some great
benefits other than gaining experience for school. “My favorite part has
been the opportunity to actually feed the animals, which you don’t get
to do as a teen volunteer,” says Caitlin, “Being up close to the otters
and seals reminds you how powerful they are – they’re all wild animals
and it makes me appreciate them more. I feel lucky to have a chance
to do so.”
Interns spend the afternoon increasing their educational knowledge
including working in the exhibits as interpreters. The diversity of
the internship program workday can also help in unexpected ways,
according to Danielle, who admits that she likes certain work settings
more than others. They hint that the public speaking gets easier with
practice however, which is plain to see when they easily relate to
Aquarium visitors. This is another main goal of the program – the
promotion of awareness and conservation through person-to-person
contact, and the interns have become experts. Says Caitlin, “The
genuine friendliness and helpfulness of everyone I’ve worked with has
made my experience great; it’s easy to get lost with so many things
to remember.”
Jacqui
John
Danielle
The four interns feel that the experience has been a positive one that
will help them on their future career tracks. According to Education
Curator Cherie Williams, “They’re not just interning, they’re learning life
skills. For some of them this is their first look at the working world –
their first job interview, their first chance to showcase their skills.”
When asked what advice he would give incoming interns from his own
experience, John comes up with an important piece that has helped
him during his time as an intern and holds true for any job: “Be on
time or come in half an hour early – and always have a smile.”
Caitlin
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CORAL TAKES CENTER STAGE
One ocean, home to a vast
array of environments
New exhibit dedicated solely to this colorful, beautiful animal
(yes, it’s an animal!)
What’s fascinating about coral, aside from its beauty and brilliant hues? To start with, coral isn’t a plant – it’s an animal, related to
sea anemones and jellyfish. And most corals are colonial, which means they live in colonies. So what looks like a single animal
may actually be composed of hundreds of specimens. And, for many varieties, if a fragment of coral is broken off, it can keep
living – and even form the basis for a whole new colony if conditions are right.
The Seattle Aquarium has been successfully establishing those conditions with its coral propagation program, featured in our
Spring ’08 issue of Currents. What began there has come full circle with the opening of a new exhibit in the Pacific Coral Reef
(PCR) section of the Aquarium – filled exclusively with nearly 30 species of coral.
“Growing the coral was Stage One,” says Biologist Andy Sim. “We had to start there in order to have animals to fill the exhibit.
And because coral grows so slowly, we really needed to plan in advance.” The Aquarium started its coral propagation program
two years ago, using fragments that had broken off larger coral specimens in the tropical exhibits. How did the pieces get broken
off? “Fish bump into them, sometimes we accidentally break pieces off, too,” says Andy. Those fragments were then placed in a
‘coral farm’ behind the scenes at the Aquarium, where they were nurtured until they were ready to be placed in the new exhibit.
Contraband coral at the
Seattle Aquarium?
On your next trip to the Seattle Aquarium,
pay a visit to the Pacific Coral Reef exhibits
to be delighted by the brightly colored
fish and invertebrates. Then stroll to the
Underwater Dome to see a living snapshot
of the animals that call Puget Sound home.
It’s hard to believe that a single ocean –
the majestic Pacific – could host two such
different environments, not to mention the
countless habitats that are found between
the tropics and the Pacific Northwest. It’s a
fascinating ocean on an incredible planet –
and all ours to take care of and love.
Pocillopora Damicornis
“Stage Two was planning the exhibit,” continues Andy. “We remodeled the largest tank in the PCR … completely gutted it.” The
remodel included new lights, plumbing and heating – all designed to create optimal conditions for coral growth. “Coral needs
three things to thrive,” says Andy, “Good water quality, a high rate of water flow, and a high level of light.”
With the exhibit complete, the corals were placed in their new home. “Planning a coral exhibit is like planning a garden,” says
Andy. “You have to group things together and consider how they’ll look as time passes.” Within the exhibit, several of the coral
specimens are already starting to grow together – soon they will look like a single animal. “My hope is that the tank will come into
its own over the next year,” he continues.
Montipora, Fire Coral
About 70% of the corals in the new exhibit came from the Aquarium’s propagation program – the remainder came from other
aquariums or aquaculture facilities – and Andy is clearly happy with the results. “In the past, exhibits in the PCR area tended to
focus on a single species,” he says. “But now we’re working toward more of an environmental snapshot, so people can see what
things actually look like in the wild.” Because coral is environmentally sensitive and grows so slowly, the Aquarium has needed to
use artificial coral in its exhibits– but live coral is now included in nearly all of them. “Our role as an Aquarium is to show people
what’s out there living in the wild,” says Andy, “And looking at a live animal makes a big difference.”
Acropora
It’s true – the Aquarium is now home to a
substantial amount of coral confiscated
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFW). When the USFW finds
contraband coral during a
standard inspection of a
shipment, that coral is
confiscated. Happily, thanks
to an extraordinarily efficient
communication system, the
coral isn’t left to die; instead, it
is offered to marine facilities that
have indicated their willingness and
ability to accept the confiscated coral. “The
system works so well that the coral can be
shipped to its new home within 24 hours,”
says Biologist Andy Sim. “If it took longer,
the animals might die.”
The Aquarium began receiving shipments
of confiscated coral in early 2009, and
to date has accepted four shipments
representing 150 coral colonies and
15-20 species. “Those corals would cost
thousands and thousands of dollars if
we purchased them from an aquaculture
facility,” says Andy.
Aside from confiscated specimens, the
Aquarium’s corals are obtained through its
propagation program, trade with another
facility, or purchase from an aquaculture
facility. “Although,” says Andy. “We rarely
need to purchase corals anymore unless
we are looking for a specific species.”
Seriatopora, Bird’s Nest
Coral conservation in the wild
Acropora, Close up of polyps
and new growth
Torch Coral
Candy Cane
Coral reef environments are incredibly
diverse – they support a tremendous
variety of life forms, all of which depend
on them for survival. But the health of
coral reefs in the wild is in danger due
to human impacts such as pollution,
climate change (which causes fluctuations
in water temperature and ocean
acidification), commercial fishing and
tourism. For more information on coral
reefs and what you can do to help protect
them, visit coral.org.
Bubble Coral
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AQUARIUM HELPS PUGET SOUND
BY REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT
PUFFIN: UNIQUE BIRD OF LAND, AIR AND WATER
By Seattle Aquarium Lead Bird Biologist Mary Carlson
The tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) is a truly unique bird. The epitome of a diving seabird, it is well
adapted for spending the majority of its life on and under water. It has an exceptionally thick plumage to
keep it warm in cold water, and it evolved shorter but stouter wings that allow it to propel itself through
water. These adaptations make the puffin an awkward flyer – turning in the air is more difficult, giving the
puffin the appearance of a ‘flying football.’
Puffins are land birds. They use their very strong legs and large claws, as well as their big bills, to dig. They
excavate tunnels that end in nest chambers in the sides of island cliffs. In these darkened holes, one offwhite egg – sometimes with pale lavender markings – is laid. The egg is incubated and chick cared for by
both parents for an extended period of time, a total of 80-90 days from the time the egg is laid until the
chick fledges and leaves the nest chamber.
In addition to their exceptional lifestyle, puffins have a unique
appearance. Their dark black bodies contrast nicely with their white
eye patches and golden tufts during breeding season. These tufts
appear to be hair-like structures but are actually feathers. While
puffins molt from a colorful breeding plumage to a darker one
during winter, they also (unlike most birds) change the appearance
of their bills. Special structures called billplates form at the base of
the bill when the birds are molting into their breeding plumage.
These billplates thicken and develop a beautiful golden color. In
autumn, the billplates gradually peel away and fall off.
Molting Puffin
“Sustainable energy is linked to sustainable oceans,”
says Aquarium Conservation Curator Mark Plunkett
The Seattle Aquarium unveiled
Seattle’s first solar hot water
demonstration project in June.
A system that will reduce the
Aquarium’s use of natural gas by
preheating water is used in its
second floor café. Installed with
financial support from Seattle City
Curator Mark Plunkett and solar panels
Light and Puget Sound Energy,
the five solar panels will shrink the Aquarium’s carbon footprint by 2.5
tons of CO2 each year, and teach our 800,000 annual guests about
renewable energy sources.
“Over 200 years of increasing CO2 emissions have carbonated the
oceans and increased their acidity, threatening marine food webs,
including plankton, shellfish, fish, birds, mammals and humans,” Plunkett
says. “With this solar project, we hope to provide a model of sustainability
that can inspire our visitors and other zoos and aquariums to do what
they can to take climate action now.”
More information on the solar project can be found on display panels
at the Aquarium’s café and below the panels outside.
The unique structure of the interior of the puffin’s mouth also sets it apart
from other birds. The roof of the mouth is lined with tiny spines that, in
combination with a stiffened tongue, allow the bird to catch multiple fish
at a time. By holding fish between its tongue and spiny roof of its mouth,
the puffin can drop its lower jaw to catch more fish while retaining the
ones it has already caught. Puffins can hold up to 20-30 fish depending
on the size of the fish.
Did you know?
Seattle City Light (SCL) and Puget Sound Energy
(PSE) offer customers a wide range of rebates and
incentives to conserve energy and install renewable
energy. Visit seattleaquarium.org for more info.
• SCL residential Helpline: (206) 684-3800
and seattle.gov/light/conserve
• PSE Energy Advisors:
(800) 562-1482 and pse.com
SEATTLE AQUARIUM SHOWS ITS TRUE COLOR – GREEN!
New “greenmark” logo designates environmentally friendly elements
On your next visit to the Aquarium, be on the lookout for our new “greenmark” logo – it’s there to show you one of the
facility’s many green elements. Here are just a few of the places you’ll find the new logo at the Aquarium:
• Rain water barrels
A Puffin’s mouth is lined
with tiny spines
seattle aquarium green
• Composting bins – the Aquarium recently started a partnership with Cedar
Grove Compost to collect organic waste from our kitchens and turn them
into a rich soil amendment that helps to sequester excess atmospheric
carbon. We now compost 33% of our waste; 2.5 tons each month.
• Waste bins – thanks to a new paint job, the word “trash” has been replaced
with “landfill” to communicate the true end result of not recycling.
• Napkin holders – the Aquarium café uses 100% recycled napkins.
AQUARIUM JOINS THE SEATTLE CLIMATE PARTNERSHIP
The Seattle Climate Partnership (SCP) was launched in 2006 with City of Seattle, King County, UW, and nine others; the Aquarium
joined in March of 2009. There are now over 40 members including the Zoo, many large employers and the Seattle Chamber of
Commerce. Members agree to the Partnership goal of at least a 7% reduction of Seattle’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2012,
with further reduction targets in future decades.
For more information on the Seattle Climate Partnership, visit seattle.gov/climate/partnership.htm
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OUR AQUARIUM ADMISSIONS TEAM
This diverse and highly motivated group expects to welcome and
serve a record 845,000 guests this year!
Shari O., Admissions Supervisor
Team member since 1999
We work great as a team with one similar
goal in mind, which is to provide the best
possible customer service to our guests!
Olivia G., Guest Services Specialist
Aquarium volunteer, 2004;
team member since 2005
At an evening event there was a little boy who
was bored with the adults, but really interested
in the animals. I sent him on a scavenger hunt
searching for various creatures.
Gina K., Guest Services Specialist
Aquarium volunteer and joined
the team in 2009
I like the variety of guests and team members.
Each visitor from around America or around the
world brings something unique and interesting
to us.
Ana C., Senior Cashier
Team member since 1995
The Seattle Aquarium is enjoyable and lively.
I get to meet people from all over the world.
Martin R., Guest Greeter and Lead
Evening Event Rep; Aquarium volunteer,
2001; team member since 2003
I enjoy the really excited children that come in
and want to tell you all about their experiences
with marine life including their pet fish or
something they saw on the beach.
I enjoy groups of kids at our evening events. The
kids spend hours with the volunteers and me in
the exhibits, fascinated with the animals while
their parents socialize.
Vicky S., Admissions Lead
Team member since 1991
Dray J., Security Officer
Team member since 2009
I’m very proud of our admissions team for
their loyalty and support to the Aquarium
in any situation.
Here at the Seattle Aquarium I get the chance
to interact with people from all walks of life who
share a common interest in the same thing …
LIFE!
Dan G., Senior Cashier
Team member since 2004
Marlon T., Senior Cashier
Team member since 2008
I enjoy talking to guests from all over the world.
I share information about our region to help
enhance their visit. Sometimes they share their
contact information in return.
Nikki M., Senior Cashier
Team member since 1998
I enjoy meeting customers from across the
country and around the world; many visit
aquariums wherever they go. They are excited
to visit the Seattle Aquarium.
Stephanie J., Security Officer
Team member since 2008
I like to see the children’s eyes light up.
They bounce through the front doors cajoling
their parents, “Can we go see the fish please,
please, please.”
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Skylar W., Guest Greeter and Evening
Event Rep; Aquarium volunteer, 2002;
team member since 2005
I love being part of the Admissions team because
it is a diverse group of individuals striving for the
same goal – to enhance the guest experience.
Penny G., Senior Cashier
Team member since 2007
I enjoy speaking with the kids as they embark
on an exciting adventure, hearing their stories
of previous visits, other aquariums or where
they’re from.
Silvester M., Senior Cashier
Team member since 1985
Getting along with our team members is the
foundation of the success of the Aquarium
Admissions team. The magic moments for me
are in the kids’ eyes with big smiles.
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS: Fall ‘09
F A M I LY F U N
SPECIAL EVENTS
Toddler Time
Family Science Weekend
October 5, 6, 12, 13
November 2, 3, 9, 10
December 7, 8, 14
January 4, 5, 11, 12
February 1, 2, 8, 9
March 1, 2, 8, 9
November 14-15
9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
December 26, 2009 – January 2, 2010
Hey Tots – hop in your stroller (or walk like a big kid) and
bring your adult to Toddler Time on selected Mondays and
Tuesdays, October through March.
Fun animal-themed activities for kids of all ages, special
animal talks and presentations, and more. Each day will
feature a different animal and activities. Come on up to the classroom for this drop-in program with
activity stations, storytelling, songs and games. And for a
special treat on Toddler Time Mondays and Tuesdays, the
12:15 Window on Washington Waters Dive Show
will be geared toward you!
VOLU NTE E R OPPORTU N ITI ES
Toddler Time is designed for children age 5 and younger
accompanied by an adult.
Cost: Included with Aquarium admission.
Drop-in program, no registration needed.
OUTDOOR ADVE NTU R ES
Cedar River Salmon Journey
Free family friendly program on spawning salmon. Follow
the salmon up the Cedar and learn about these amazing fish
and the Cedar River Watershed. Volunteer naturalists will be
available from 11a.m. – 4 p.m. on October 17, 18, 24, 25, 31
and November 1 at Renton Library, Cedar River Park, Riverview
Park, Cavanaugh Pond and Landsburg Park. Carpool – these
sites have limited parking. For more information, call
(206) 245-0143 or visit cedarriver.org. The Cedar River
Salmon Journey is sponsored by the Seattle Aquarium,
Brown Bear Car Wash, City of Renton, Forum for Lake
Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed, King
Conservation District, Friends of the Cedar River Watershed,
Puget Sound Energy, Seattle Public Utilities, Wal-Mart
Foundation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Family Science Weekend is an opportunity for families to
discover science together through exciting hands-on activities
and interaction with local scientists and researchers.
Save the Date: Winter Break Fantastic Fishtival
Aquarium Adult Volunteer Orientation
Sunday, October 18, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Join the Aquarium! Meet
new people, learn new
information and skills,
and enhance our visitor
experience by sharing this
knowledge in our exhibits.
Potential volunteers are
asked to bring a completed
application form with them
to the orientation. This
orientation is for adults age 18 and older. Reserve your spot
at the orientation by email to [email protected] or call
(206) 386-4342.
For more information or to receive an application, visit our web
site, seattleaquarium.org and click the Volunteer tab at the
bottom of the page. Aquarium High School Volunteer Orientation
Thursday, October 8, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. OR
Sunday, October 11, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Our School Year Session (mid-November–mid-June) for
High School students ages 16-18. Our High School Volunteer
program is designed to help students with an interest in
marine science learn what it takes to work in an aquarium
and to provide job readiness skills. As a High School
Volunteer you will interact with the public, give short talks and
demonstrations, learn marine biology and meet other teens
with similar interests.
Visit our web site, seattleaquarium.org and click on Volunteer
at the bottom of the page to learn more about our volunteer
programs or email [email protected].
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NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO 2312
SEATTLE, WA
1415 Western Avenue, Suite 505
Seattle, WA 98101-2051
Return Service Requested
AQUARIUM HOURS:
Admission gate is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily,
with exhibits closing at 6 p.m.
Aquarium information: (206) 386-4300
Membership information: (206) 838-3900
Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXX
AQUARIUM MEMBERS:
REDUCE PAPER – RECEIVE
CURRENTS ELECTRONICALLY
Help us conserve resources – and you
could win a cruise for two!
Want to make a small change that can have a big
impact on the environment? Sign up to receive
Currents via email! Plus, if you have an active
Aquarium membership as of October 2009, you’ll
be entered in a drawing for a seven-day Holland
America Line cruise for two when you choose to
receive our newsletter electronically.
Here’s how to start receiving Currents via email –
and enter our drawing:
• Visit our website, seattleaquarium.org
• Log in to your account (or create an account
if you haven’t done so already)
• Update your email preferences
That’s all there is to it! Thank you for helping to
support our mission: Inspiring Conservation of our
Marine Environment.
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TRICK OR TREAT ON THE
WATERFRONT CANCELED THIS YEAR
We are sorry to announce that “Trick or Treat on the
Waterfront” will not be held this year. This event is funded by
the Downtown Seattle Association’s Metropolitan Improvement
District and funds are unavailable. The Aquarium will be open
on Halloween but no Trick or Treating activities are planned.
We regret the disappointment and hope we can bring this
special event back in the future.
This member benefit is made possible by a grant from
the Macy’s Foundation and a generous prize donation
from Holland America Line.
See our website, seattleaquarium.org, for complete
rules and details. You must have an active Seattle
Aquarium membership as of October 2009 to enter.
Online entries only. Drawing to be held January, 2010.
One entry per family. Seattle Aquarium, City of Seattle,
and Seattle Aquarium Society employees are not
eligible to win.