Ocean Explorers Blog

Monday kicked off the 2011 NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher Summer Camps. See what our 10-12 year old Ocean Explorers had to say about their first day!

Sara, "My favorite activity was going to the marsh and letting periwinkle snails slither on my hand."

Emerson, "I like crabbing and net fishing at the marsh. I caught a fish and some gross shrimp."

Bekah, "I learned about the food web."

Anna-Poe, "I learned that the predator eats the prey."

Alex, "On the first day it was crabbing. I was partners with Ross and Jake and we caught a fish and a baby crab."

Kay-Kay, "I enjoyed the freshwater conservatory tour because we got to see all these living things that come from North Carolina."

Carmen, "Today I loved catching crabs because I had a good partner. We caught two crabs (wow!)"

Charlie, "I learned that in the food chain, plants are called producers and animals are called consumers."

Ella, "I learned that plants are the main producer of the food chain."

Ross, "The conservatory was my favorite activity because you can look at the animals in real life instead of looking at pictures."

Jack, "Swimming was my favorite activity. I need to practice!"

Keep checking back for more updates from our campers!

Junior Volunteers Earn Experience

All employers seem to want job candidates with “experience.” In today’s competitive job market, experience counts more than ever. But how can a young person get it?

Sometimes, VOLUNTEERING is the answer. Volunteering can be a valuable educational experience for young people seeking to broaden their horizons and beef up their resumes. Offering time and services to an organization an opportunity for hands-on experience in specific tasks as well as an inside look at how an organization operates. That’s important, because employers screen job applicants based not only on the amount of experience they have, but also how applicable that experience is to the job in question.

At the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Junior Volunteers interested in marine biology assist Aquarium staff in daily tasks needed to keep the Aquarium running smoothly. Junior volunteers not only gain valuable work experience, they also have fun. And volunteering at the aquarium is an opportunity to be active and productive on weekends and during long breaks from school; Junior Volunteers are never bored!

For more information, check out the NC Aquarium’s website, or the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s Junior Volunteer Facebook page.

Aquarium Spreads Awareness for World Ocean Day

The ocean sustains us, regulates our climate, and provides a place for fun and relaxation. Why not return the favor? Take a special day to honor the great body of water responsible for so much life on the planet.

Celebrate World Ocean Day. The annual eco-friendly holiday will take place on Wednesday, June 8, and the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher plans to celebrate with some special programs. In accordance with this year’s theme Youth: The Next Wave for Change, the schedule includes an interactive Geodome presentation for eighth grade students in the Aquarium’s auditorium at 1:45 PM. Aquarium guests can also view a special “Plastic Reduction” display with informative ways to reduce the use of plastic in our lives.

Guests may also explore carts with various themes set up around the Aquarium, including sea turtles, whales and dolphins, shells, and marine debris. The Nature Swap will be set up from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM where visitors can trade their own discoveries for other treasures found in nature such as shells, shark teeth, snake skins, or fossils.

World Oceans Day is held every June 8th, and is coordinated by The Ocean Project (theoceanproject.org) and the World Ocean Network (worldoceannetwork.org). For more information, including a comprehensive list of events locally and globally, please visit the website of World Oceans Day (http://worldoceansday.org).

Aquarium Welcomes Interns

This summer at the aquarium we have seven interns joining the education team. Outreach and Husbandry also have an intern as well. The Education Interns get to assist the education staff with a variety of programs for the public. In addition to improving presentation skills, these interns assist with program development to add to the department’s selection of offerings. Other opportunities include exhibit interpreters for the Touch Tank and Let’s Talk Turtle Exhibit, small group tour guides, smart carts and presentations, and classroom activities. The education interns have been spending their first two weeks learning the ins and outs of the education department. Today they were animal handling trained with our invertebrates. This is what Echo had to say:


Today, Jocelyn, Whitney, Kyle, and I received invertebrate training from Melissa and Matt. Melissa showed us the invertebrate holding tank which contained horseshoe crabs, echinoderms, crustaceans, and snails. We learned to keep the animals in separate tanks because some of them eat each other, such as the Florida Horse Conch (Pleuroploca gigantea). We also learned the importance of cleaning your hands in between exhibits to prevent the spread of diseases. After we completed the first part of invertebrate training, we proceeded to learn how to handle the moon jellies with Matt. Matt showed us how to properly pick up a moon jelly from its tank. He explained that we need to lift the jelly out of the water upside down so that the bell acts as a bowl holding water so no air bubble get trapped. I am excited to handle the invertebrates here at the aquarium and eager to learn more.

From L-R: Echo, Jocelyn, Whitney, and Kyle

When Helping Hurts

It is not uncommon for outdoor enthusiasts to come across grounded and seemingly helpless baby birds this time of year. Unfortunately the best of intentions can often do more harm than good. The best advice for people who stumble upon baby birds is to simply leave them alone.

Humans who decide to care for a baby bird may not completely understand the amount of care required for the animal to live. Young birds need to be fed every 15-20 minutes from sunrise to sunset. They also require essential skills to survive in the wild. Learning to avoid predators and where to search for food are abilities only a bird’s parents can teach. Perhaps the most obvious con to raising a bird is the fact that the animal will form a close bond with humans instead of their own species. Such animals are no longer fearful of humans once released back into the wild.

If the amount of work and potential harm are not enough to deter humans from attempting to “help” baby birds found out of the nest, there are a few more facts to consider before allowing guilt to affect our actions. A bird’s nest is a dangerous place for the youngsters as it is practically an open buffet for any predator. Therefore, the baby birds will try to leave the nest as quickly as they can even if they are not quite ready. It is common for them to fall to the ground and spend several days there as they continue to grow and prepare to fly. If you spot one, keep in mind that the parents are most likely very nearby and simply waiting for you to leave. For further reading please visit:

http://spwrc.org/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=16

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/babycrow.htm

Tips to Combat Air Pollution

In an era of complete dependence on fossil fuels it comes as little surprise that one of the greatest environmental concerns facing society today is that of air pollution. While it may appear to be a concern only in major cities around the country, the problem also exists here at home. A study recently published on webmd.com listed Charlotte, NC as the tenth smoggiest city in the United States with residents citing asthma, headaches, and a host of other health related problems.
While the dangerous and potentially disastrous effects of global warming seem almost a cliché amongst environmental conversation, there are small steps families can take to reduce their environmental footprint. For example, doing errands in bulk will spare a busy family constant trips and costly gas. Accelerating gradually and using cruise control on the highway are helpful tactics to getting more mileage out of your gas. Properly inflated tires and clean air filters may also save an individual’s air quality and fuel costs.
Fortunately, it does appear that the world is waking up to the very real danger posed by the use of fossil fuels. Ongoing developments and continued research are at the forefront of strategic plans for automobile companies and political administrations alike. Small steps on an individual level, however, are also important. Such measures can save our lungs as well as our wallets.

Aquarium Displays Local Art

The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is pleased to announce the latest showcase in the Spadefish Gallery. Andrea Dingeldein, an Aquarium employee, moved from the Piedmont of North Carolina to Wilmington six years ago to attend University of North Carolina Wilmington. While pursuing degrees in Marine Biology and Studio Art, she found a way to combine her passions by creating paintings inspired by marine organisms, artifacts, and coastal landscapes.

Andrea often paints landscapes on site, or “en plein air,” capturing the seasonal
changes of salt marshes and the flora and fauna inhabiting them. Though oil and acrylic paints are her mediums of choice, she is also interested in photography.

Surface and Subtidal is a collection of recent paintings inspired by
imagery characteristic of the coast, and includes several underwater
photographs from a recent trip to Bonaire. Each piece is a study of natural beauty, color, and structure, with subjects ranging from live oaks and tidal creeks to squid and horseshoe crabs.

Works are for sale and can be purchased by contacting the artist directly at polaroidsarefun@gmail.com.

The Spadefish Gallery at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher showcases local artists throughout the year. Artwork that coincides with the Aquarium’s mission of “Inspiring Appreciation and Conservation of North Carolina’s Aquatic Environment” is located on the second floor of the Marine building, near the auditorium.