Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center




The Dauphin Island Sea Lab Receives Prestigious Federal Designation as It Becomes the 13th Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the United States January 9, 2001
Media Contact: Lisa Young 334/861-7509 For Immediate Release: January 9, 2001 (Dauphin Island, Alabama) The Dauphin Island Sea Lab Receives Prestigious Federal Designation as It Becomes the 13th Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the United States What: Designation Ceremony for the Dauphin Island Sea Lab as the 13th Coastal America Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center When: Tuesday, January 16, 2001 10:00 AM Where: The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab The Dauphin Island Sea Lab starts the New Year off with a celebration of education as it joins a select group of educational facilities as the nation's 13th Coastal America Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center. U.S. Congressman Sonny Callahan and many other federal, state and local dignitaries will attend the Designation Ceremony at the Sea Lab on January 16. This prestigious designation brings with it pledges of long-term support from 12 Coastal America federal partners, combining resources to educate the public about the importance of understanding and protecting our coastal environment. Dr. Joseph Westphal, Chair of Coastal America and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, will lead the designation ceremony. During the program, the Sea Lab will be the proud recipient of a cornucopia of gifts and commitments from twelve partnering Federal agencies. The 3rd Grade Class of the Dauphin Island Elementary School will assist in the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. "This is just another feather in the already brimming cap worn by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab," states Congressman Sonny Callahan. "Dr. George Crozier and his entire team have work tirelessly to make our Sea Lab one of the best in the nation. This recognition, becoming only the 13th Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the U.S., underscores the valuable contribution the Dauphin Island Sea Lab makes not only to Mobile and Baldwin Counties, but to the entire state and region." "The Dauphin Island Sea Lab was selected for its premier coastal research, education and outreach programs and its stature as the one institution providing comprehensive marine environmental sciences support for the entire state of Alabama. The Coastal America partnership will greatly benefit from the ability to more easily provide public outreach and education support for the northern Gulf of Mexico region from Mississippi to the Florida panhandle through its partnership with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab," says Virginia Tippie. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab was founded in 1971 by the Alabama legislature to maximize the marine science capabilities of several Alabama universities. Its programs have grown dramatically, providing marine education for everyone from Ph.D. students to kindergarten children. The Estuarium, the Sea Lab's public aquarium, opened in 1998; its mission of educating the public about the wonders of the Mobile Bay's estuary system has reached over 200,000 visitors. One of the Estuarium's most valuable commodities is having full access to the research programs of the Sea Lab. Cutting-edge work conducted by world-renowned scientists translate directly into exhibits for the general public. The educational programs at the Sea Lab, not including the Estuarium, support annually 15,000 K-12 students; 200 undergraduates; 50 Master's and Ph.D. students; 175 educators; and a host of senior citizens involved in the Elderhostel program. Added to this the numbers of visitors who come to the Estuarium, and it is obvious that the educational reach of the Sea Lab is phenomenal. All of these programs are designed to promote understanding of the marine and coastal ecosystems of our community "The Coastal America partnership was established by President George Bush in 1992 in order to more effectively and efficiently protect and restore our nation's coastal resources by combining federal expertise and resources with those of state and local agencies and nongovernmental organizations," says Virginia Tippie, Director of Coastal America. Coastal America Federal Partners include: the Departments of Agriculture, Air Force, Army, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Navy, Transportation; the Environmental Protection Agency; and the Executive Office of the President. Other Coastal America Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers are: … Alaska Sealife Center - Seward, AK … Hatfield Marine Center - Newport, OR … Monterey Bay Aquarium - Monterey, CA … Mystic Aquarium - Connecticut … National Aquarium in Baltimore - Maryland … New England Aquarium - Boston, MA … New York Aquarium - Brooklyn, NY … Texas State Aquarium - Corpus Christi, TX … The Florida Aquarium - Tampa, FL … The International Game and Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum - Dania Beach, FL … The Seattle Aquarium - Washington … Waikiki Aquarium - Honolulu, HI Attention News Editors: There will be opportunities for media interviews at 9:30 AM during the informal gathering prior to the ceremony. The program will feature a presentation of gifts of all sizes representing long-term federal agency commitments to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab - the national's newest Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center