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Baja Adventure 2008

Join us in 2008 on CMA's 34th annual Baja expedition to see gray whale mother and calf pairs up-close in San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California, Mexico. Island stops to view elephant seal rookeries, harbor seals and sea lions, nesting seabirds, osprey and hikes on unique islands with indigenous plants and unique geological formations add to this exciting naturalist-led adventure. This years trip is February 25 - March 4. Thirty participants will eat well and sleep comfortably on the 113-foot Royal Polaris. This is the trip of a lifetime! Per person cost for the 2008 trip is $2,295 plus a $150 crew gratuity. For more information on this amazing voyage call Larry Fukuhara at 310/548-7562 x223. You can click here for the 2007 brochure. Click here for the Baja web page.

Cabrillo Whalewatch/Naturalist Training

Observe Pacific Gray Whales on their migration along the Southern California coast. Whalewatch boats are scheduled daily from December 26, 2007 through March, 2008. Go to sea on any day to observe gray whales on their migration along Southern California's coast. Whalewatch volunteers, trained by CMA and the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Cetacean Society, lead two-to-three-hour boat trips from various landings. Fees vary by landing. To find out more, join the fun by calling Whalewatch at 310/548-8397, Tuesday through Friday, from 8:30 am-1 pm.

School and other groups interesting in Whalewatch can download this group programs flyer.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - Interested adults are invited to become Whalewatch naturalists. If you are college age (18 or above), would like to learn about marine mammals and be willing to share your knowledge with others as a guide aboard a whalewatch boat or by visiting schools from the end of December through March, we want you! Training begins in October from 7 to 9 pm at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in the John M. Olguin Auditorium. Registration taken at the first three meetings. For more information call 310/548-7562.

Complete Whalewatch
Sunday, March 16, 2008 9:30am - 2:00pm
Join Larry Fukuhara, CMA Programs Director, in the John M. Olguin Auditorium at 9:30 am for an informative and fun slide presentation, followed by a voyage in search of Pacific gray whales, other marine mammals and sea life, returning at 2 pm. . Fee: $20 ($18 Friends members). Pre-registration required. For further information, call Programs Director Larry Fukuhara at (310) 548-7562, x223.

Catalina Above and Below

Sunday, June 8, 2008 6:00am - 6:00pm
Join CMA staff on an all-day collection trip to Catalina Island aboard the 93-foot fishing vessel First String departing out of Ports O' Call Village. During the crossing we will be identifying marine birds and be on the lookout for whales and other marine life. Once at Catalina, we will observe the various methods CMA's Aquarist staff use to capture, study and release specimens that are exhibited at the Aquarium. Explore the secluded Isthmus of Catalina Island. The last item on our schedule is to bait for sharks in an effort to tag them for scientific study. We depart from San Pedro on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at 6 am and return at 6 pm. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Fee: $95 ($85 CMA FRIENDS members) Pre-registration required. For more details contact Larry Fukuhara at 310/548-7562 x 223.

L.A. Harbor Above and Below

Join us on the water for a CMA hands-on floating lab experience on board the Algalita Marine Research Foundation Vessel Alguita. We'll net and observe plankton, trawl the bottom and use a benthic mud grab, look for whales, sea lions and sea birds, and take in the sights of the worlds busiest harbor. Check back for the next date that this special three-hour "tour" will be offered! Pre-registration required. Fee: $30 ($27 FRIENDS members). Instructors: CMA Education staff.

Whales of Winter
Sunday, March 9, 2008. CMA Continental Breakfast 9am
Los Angeles Harbor Boat Departure 11am

Join fellow FRIENDS members on a special whalewatch excursion with CMA Director Emeritus John Olguin. See migrating Pacific gray whales, dolphins and other marine life on this members-only voyage. To become a member, or for more information, call 310-548-8396. This highly popular event always sells out, so be sure to register early!
Fee: $27, FRIENDS members only. Early-bird ticket price $23 until January 31.

Open-Ocean Plankton Class
Check back for the next date!
Exhibits Director Mike Schaadt leads an evening class in learning about unusual deepwater planktonic animals. We'll meet at CMA at 4 pm for an orientation, then it's off to board a vessel for our fieldwork, returning at approximately 10 pm. Space is limited; ages 12 through adult. Fee: $40 ($37 CMA FRIENDS members) Pre-registration required. For details contact Schaadt at 310/548-7562, x215, or Larry Fukuhara, x223.

Channel Islands Adventures

In the spring, CMA education staff naturalists offer an excursion to one of the Northern Channel Islands. Each fall we re-enact the landing of Cabrillo on San Miguel with Director Emeritus John Olguin. See Science at the Seashore listings for more details.

Channel Islands Adventure: San Miguel Island, the Landing of Cabrillo

Check back for the next date!
Join CMA's education staff and Director Emeritus John Olguin on an adventure to San Miguel Island, the most remote of the Channel Islands chain. Under the direction of Olguin, watch a reenactment of the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, "Discoverer of California," climb a trail of steps to visit the Cabrillo Memorial for a sweeping view of Cuyler Harbor, and explore the pristine sandy shore, dunes and natural history of the island. Time permitting, speedy hikers might even be able to make it to the Caliche forest! We'll be on the lookout for marine mammals, seabirds and other sea life as we make our way back to the mainland. This trip is usually booked in September, the first Saturday after Labor Day. We'll board the boat in Ventura at 7:30 am and return at approximately 6 pm. Fee is: $100 ($91 CMA FRIENDS members) Pre-registration required. Note: Moderate physical agility is required of passengers to board skiffs for the shore landing.

Channel Islands Adventure: Anacapa Island

Click here to download the Anacapa Island trip flier
Sunday, May 4, 2008 from 9:30am - 4pm
Discover the wonder of the Channel Islands as you join CMA’s Education staff on an adventure to Anacapa Island, part of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. During the crossing watch for marine birds and mammals, then join a guided walk and even go snorkeling as you greet spring on Anacapa Island. The trip leaves from Oxnard. . Reservations are required.
Fee: $45 per person ($41 Friends members), $30 under age 12.

Channel Islands Adventure: Santa Rosa Island

Saturday, June 15, 2008 from 8am - 5pm
Discover the wonder of the Channel Islands as you join CMA’s Education staff on an adventure to Santa Rosa Island, home to a Torrey Pine Grove, pristine white sandy beaches and rich human history. The 2.5 - 3 hour crossing will provide an opportunity to view marine mammals and sea birds. Staff will guide walks or you can relax on your own before returning to the mainland. The trip leaves from Ventura. Reservations are required.
Fee: $67 per person ($61 Friends members), $60 under age 12.

Blues of Summer
Saturday August 9, 2008 from 8:00am - 4:00pm
FRIENDS of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and the American Cetacean Society/Los Angeles Chapter invite you on a natural-history trip aboard the Condor Express to the blue and humpback whale feeding grounds in the Santa Barbara Channel. Explore one of the most prolific whalewatching locations in the world along with experienced naturalists who will answer your questions. You can click here for the 2007 brochure. Departs from Santa Barbara.
Fee: $75 per person (FRIENDS member/ACS members), $85 per person (non-members). Price includes continental breakfast; a full galley is available. Sign up by July 13 and receive $5 off!

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