Dana Point’s Ocean Institute
Leading the Way in Marine Science Education in Orange County, California for Decades
Many of us who grew up in Orange County, California can still remember childhood visits to the Ocean Institute, spending the night on the tall ship Pilgrim, a replica of Richard Henry Dana, Jr.’s ship that sailed from South America’s Cape Horn up the California Coast around 1834, which the Institute used as a floating classroom for decades.
Founded in 1977, the Ocean Institute has been educating Orange County’s youth and visitors from around the globe through hands on learning and the Institute’s surrounding Marine Conservation Area for 45 years. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Sara Vaughn and Miranda Lentz of the Institute to learn more about it. Read my interview below.
When was the Ocean Institute founded and why?
The Ocean Institute was founded in 1977 as the Orange County Marine Institute. We are a community-based 501 (c)(3) organization that educates students and public visitors in over 60 marine science and maritime history programs. Located on 2.4 acres in the Dana Point Harbor, adjacent to a Marine Conservation Area, the site is ideal for hands-on learning about the sea.
How ha
s the Institute grown over the years?
The Institute grew steadily from inception to the point that the facilities were at 100% capacity. In 1999, the Board of Directors voted to expand and initiated a capital fundraising campaign to design and construct new facilities. Construction of the six-building, 33,800 sq. ft. campus began in early 2001. It took 18 months to build at the cost of $16.5 million, all generously donated by numerous friends throughout the country. The capstone occasion came in October 2002 when the new Ocean Education Center opened for the people of Southern California and beyond. Twenty years later, we fulfill our mission daily for students and the public by utilizing our campus and surrounding environments and landscapes.
What role does Ocean Institute play in preserving and protecting our marine environments?
We have a few initiatives to help preserve our marine environments. These initiatives include regular beach and harbor clean-up events with Stand Up To Trash. Along the lines of our mission, a part of preservation is education. Each day, our staff works tirelessly to help educate children and society on ways they can protect the oceans and surrounding environments. Furthermore, teaching students and guests about wildlife preservation is key to success.
What sort of hands-on marine science and environmental science programs do you offer?
Fortunately, we have programing geared for both adults and children. However, to mention a few just for kids, check out our field trips.
There are trips for all grade levels as our campus is geared to support all age and education levels. Here are a few specific examples of programming:
Overnight Tallship Fieldtrip
The Spirit of Dana Point will soon be offering public sails again.
Our education team has created rotating themes each month that our programming revolves around…Sharks in July and Back to Schooling August, to name a few of the upcoming ones. These themes involve interactive and hands-on activities, touching tanks, and dissections.
Some of our other hands-on options are guided kayak tours through the Dana Point harbor and our Whale and Marine Life Tour on the R/V Sea Explorer, which involves experiments like looking at plankton and collecting mud samples from the ocean floor.
Every year, Dana Point has a Tall Ships Festival around September, which I understand is now called the Maritime Festival.
First, why was the name changed? Second, what special programs or activities does Ocean Institute provide during the festival?
I believe the name change was to encompass the event's spirit and activities better and celebrate and honor California’s rich maritime history. This year’s event will include mermaid shows, pirate school, cannon battles, visiting tall ships, vendors, and food trucks will be available. For a list of the specific events and festival timeline, click here.
Every year, the Festival of Whales comes to Dana Point in March. Does the Ocean Institute do anything special for this festival?
We do! Every year there is a slight variation. But typically, the weekend begins with a Whale Welcoming Ceremony usually conducted by members of the Acjachemen Nation.
This year, 2022, we had a whale behavior expert, Dr. Ari Friedlaender, lead an informative speech on our local marine. Usually, throughout the weekend, we offer Whale and Marine Life tours on the R/V Sea Explorer and interactive activities. Stay tuned for updated activities as the event rolls back around.
Tell me more about some of your permanent exhibits for those visiting the Ocean Institute. What types of things are on display for visitors to see?
Each room/building on our campus has a different theme or purpose.
The Sahm Family Foundation Marine Education Center is home to our sharks and rays with displays for their info/artifacts, Chambers Artifact Gallery for an exhibit on mammals/birds and how we conduct research, and Packard At Sea is where a majority of our ecosystems and tanks reside-schooling fish/bass/invertebrates/abalone to name a few of our locations on campus.
What kind of volunteer opportunities are there for those who want to give back and work with you?
We have numerous ways for people to participate and volunteer. Some of which are becoming a member of the Tall Ship crew, public programs docents who share critical information and fascinating facts with visitors, and volunteering in our gift shop to help greet and interact with guests. Look to our website for more info.
Read More…
Read more about Dana Point, California:
Olamendi’s Family Restaurant in Dana Point Since 1973 - How Jorge Olamendi’s “Mi Casa Es Su Casa” Attitude Led to a Community Giving Back
Book an Orange County Walking Tour and learn the history of Dana Point
