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Threatened and Thriving Poster Series
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As part
of the celebration of its 10th anniversary, NOAA’s Monterey
Bay National Marine Sanctuary presents this natural history series highlighting
twelve species found in the MBNMS. The goal of this series is to bring
the public’s attention in a balanced way to species in the MBNMS
facing survival challenges and those species doing well or whose status
is improving. The most striking component of the series includes six
beautiful 14” X 22” original art posters depicting two species
in each poster. One member of the species pair faces survival challenges,
while the other is thriving. The back of each poster contains natural
history information about each species as well as suggested resources
to learn more.
Kirsten Carlson, a Monterey scientific illustrator selected to design
and illustrate the posters, presented the organisms in a dramatic style.
She used live organisms, photographs and film to help her in the development
of her illustrations.
During the 10th Anniversary year of MBNMS, starting in September 2002,
a new poster was released each quarter. The posters were distributed
at lectures focusing on the 12 Threatened and Thriving Species. Threatened
and Thriving was the theme of the 2003 Sanctuary Currents Symposium,
held in Monterey in March.
Children were invited to participate by contributing artwork for the
development of a 16-month calendar starting in September 2002. The calendar
was also a free gift from MBNMS to the public in honor of its 10th anniversary.
The poster
images are now available on this website. They can be printed in 8.5” X 11” format or 11” X 14” format.
Both the front and back of the poster can be viewed or printed out.
The posters are available while they last at the MBNMS main office. To
request one, fill out and fax or mail an Order Form.
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Blue whales are the largest creatures on Earth, reaching an average length of 85-100 feet. They once were plentiful, but whaling led to their decline. They feed on tiny shrimp-like crustaceans, krill that can be found in clusters of billions of individuals. |
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The leatherback is the largest of all the sea turtles and also the most endangered. Leatherbacks travel the world’s oceans seeking their favorite food source, jellyfish. Click on the left to view the front of the poster for Leatherback Sea Turtles and Sea Nettles. |
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A diminutive shorebird, the Pacific population of the western snowy plover is now one of the most endangered species in the United States. Elephant seals, the largest pinnipeds in the northern hemisphere, were once hunted to near extinction. Now they are thriving in many parts of California. |
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The Coho, or silver salmon is an anadromous fish. It is born in fresh water and spends its adult life at sea. The loss of available spawning streams and fishing pressures have caused this species to decline. The Pacific sardine was once the most important commercially harvested fish in California. After numbers dropped drastically in the 1950’s, this little fish is thriving once again. |
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The North Pacific right whale became one of the world’s most endangered mammals after it was hunted to near extinction by whalers. Current population estimates are between 400 and 900 individuals, with several recent sightings in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In contrast, the western gull thrives along the California coast, with more than 50,000 breeding age birds. Western gulls are supreme opportunists, feeding on fish, invertebrates and even human garbage. Their adaptability is their greatest survival skill. |
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The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the best places in the world to see the southern sea otter, which can be found around kelp forests and along rocky shorelines. Once hunted to near extinction for its lush fur, the sea otter population is still threatened by environmental toxins and disease. Sea otters are often seen wrapped up in giant kelp. Kelp forests provide oxygen, nutrients and habitat for a variety of invertebrates and fish species. Some of the lushest kelp forests in the world occur in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. |
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For more information about the posters please call (831) 647-4201. Posters are available on a limited basis. Selected T-shirts are available from the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation. To order one call (831) 644-9600.
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