Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Ocean Futures Society event


               Explore America’s Underwater Treasures
with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society

The critters that live in our National Marine Sanctuaries

The ocean laps at our feet on the Central Coast. Learn about the elephant seals on the beach and other wonders of its depths in a Cavalier Plaza seminar and Hearst Castle Theater special presentation Saturday May 5.

Start with the free 90-minute seminar about the elephant seals on the beach in May, when more seals are on the beach than any other time of the year. Speakers will explain the seals’ annual molt, when their skin peels off to reveal new skin underneath. They will also talk about how the seals can manage dives to 5,000 feet and deeper, go hours without taking a breath and live as long as 100 days without food or water on the beach. PowerPoint slides are followed by the real seals when the group re-convenes at the Piedras Blancas rookery eight miles north of San Simeon for a tour led by FES guides.

Meet at Cavalier Plaza, 250 San Simeon Avenue, San Simeon at 9:30 am for coffee, lecture starts at 10 am. No charge.

At 7 pm, join marine biologist Holly Lohuis in the Hearst Castle Theater for videos on the giant screen. She has been diving into oceans around the world with Jean-Michel Cousteau for more than sixteen years. As a field producer and marine biologist for Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society, she works with filmmakers and scientists, both in the water and on land. In this presentation about National Marine Sanctuaries, Holly will share stunning HD footage and engaging stories from her travels around the world highlighting the complexities of the ocean environment and some of the impacts that are threatening the long-term vitality of our water planet. She will share personal adventures of diving and exploring our own CA sanctuaries that was featured in a PBS special, “America’s Underwater Treasures.” Also produced into a book series, Holly will have on hand the newly released 2nd book in the four part series: “Explore the National Marine Sanctuaries with Jean-Michel Cousteau.” The newest book features the five national marine sanctuaries off the West Coast of the United States, including Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary


Three National Marine Sanctuaries protect the natural resources along California’s coast. The Monterey NMS stretches from north of the Golden Gate Bridge to Cambria. The elephant seal rookery at Piedras Blancas is a true national treasure found and is located in the largest of all thirteen National Marine Sanctuaries.

Friends of the Elephant Seal invited Ms. Lohuis to present her video and photographs about the ocean and share her experiences with the public. Tickets are $10, available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/234433.

Before the program, guests will mingle with representatives of other local ocean organizations. Lesson plans available to teachers and homeschoolers.

The ocean is part of our Central Coast home. Join us for an evening of wonder about the waters that meet our shores.

Photos and video clips available.

Contact: Christine Heinrichs, (805) 203-5018, Christine.heinrichs@gmail.com
Donovan Marley, donovanmarley@yahoo.com

About Friends of the Elephant Seal

Friends of the Elephant Seal, http://www.elephantseal.org/index.htm, is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to educating people about elephant seals and other marine life and to teaching stewardship for the ocean off this special place, the central coast of California.

About Ocean Futures Society

Ocean Futures Society (OFS) is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. With the motto, “Protect the ocean and you protect yourself,” the mission of OFS is to explore our global ocean, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for its protection, documenting the critical connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean's vital importance to the survival of all life on our planet. OFS is based in Santa Barbara, California, with offices in Paris, France; Lucca, Italy; and São Paulo, Brazil. For more information, visit http://www.oceanfutures.org.

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