2019 MBNMS General Calendar

Twelve month calendar of Sanctuary events and meetings. Check back regularly for updates. To view calendars of other marine institutions around the sanctuary, click here.

If you know of an upcoming event of interest to the Sanctuary community, please contact the webmaster for this page so the event can be posted to this page. All postings are subject to approval by the MBNMS Superintendent.

2019

January	February	March	April	May	June
July	August	September	October	November	December

January

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Jan 11

Sanctuary Research Activity Panel (RAP) Meeting - CANCELED

Jan 26-27

9^th Annual Whalefest Monterey
Fun and informative activities and displays celebrating whales and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in the "Whale Watching Capital of the World!". For more information, please contact Amity Wood at (831) 647—4255 or by email

January Natural History Events

Look for the blows of gray whales migrating south through Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in December and January. Pregnant females come first, swimming along the coastline and are visible from shore as they head for the warm waters off of Baja California, Mexico for calving and mating.
The female Northern Elephant Seal population peaks around January 24 at their breeding colonies (Año Nuevo State Reserve and Piedras Blancas beach) in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary; the number of newly–born pups peaks shortly after.

February

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Feb 16

Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting in Santa Cruz.
For more information please contact Nichole Rodriguez at (831) 647–4206.

Feb 26

Team OCEAN Kayak Naturalist & Bay Net Shoreline Naturalist Informal Meeting
6pm–8pm at the MBNMS office (99 Pacific Street, Bldg 455 in Monterey). For more information contact Lisa Emanuelson at (831) 647–4227 or by email.

Feb 27

February Natural History Events

Peak Elephant Seal pupping season in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Gray whales continue journey from Alaska down to Baja Mexico, migrating through the Monterey Bay Sanctuary.

March

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Mar 8

Sanctuary Research Activity Panel (RAP) Meeting
9am–12pm at Long Marine Lab (UCSC). For more information contact Andrew DeVogelaere at (831) 647–4213.

March Natural History Events

Harbor seal pupping season. Gray Whale migration begins northward from Mexico to Alaska. Cow–calf pairs can seen nearshore throughout March.
By mid–march most of the adult Northern Elephant Seals have returned to sea to feed, leaving the pups behind on beaches at Año Nuevo State Reserve and Piedras Blancas to fend for themselves.

April

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Apr 6

Coastal Discovery Center Event: Whales and Dolphins of the CA Coast
From 10am-11am, join us at the Coastal Discovery Center to learn how to identify the common whales and dolphin off of California’s coast. A 45-minute presentation will include photos, videos and underwater sounds of whales and dolphins right off of San Simeon Pier. We will also examine whale bones left over from the whaling days in San Simeon Cove. This is free public event. Call (805) 927-2145 to reserve a space and leave a call-back number.

Apr 13

Coastal Discovery Center Event: Tide pooling at San Simeon Beach
From 12 noon, join us at low tide to explore the invertebrate and algae communities that live between high and low tides. Learn what causes tides, investigate what lives under the sand and discover the stories behind beach-cast plants and animals. Meet at the Coastal Discovery Center. This is free public event. Call (805) 927-2145 to reserve a space and leave a call-back number.

Apr 19

Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting at Moss Landing Marine Labs, Moss Landing.
For more information please contact Nichole Rodriguez at (831) 647–4206.

Apr 20

Coastal Discovery Center Event: Pier Safari
From 10am-11am, look for the inhabitants of San Simeon Bay and pier by using your senses of vision and hearing. Learn how to identify the seasonal birds and animals that migrate through the bay, and practice your science skills by collecting and analyzing data and plankton used to determine the health of the bay. Plankton will be examined using the Center’s video microscope. Meet at the Coastal Discovery Center. This is free public event. Call (805) 927-2145 to reserve a space and leave a call-back number.

Apr 24

Snapshot Day 2019! Santa Cruz area training for volunteers
From 6pm–8pm, San Lorenzo Park Duck Pond, 137 Dakota Street, Santa Cruz, CA. For more information contact Lisa Emanuelson at (831) 647–4227 or by email.

Apr 27

Snapshot Day 2019! Monterey area training for volunteers
From 11am–1pm or 2pm–4pm, at REI in Marina. For more information contact Lisa Emanuelson at (831) 647–4227 or by email.

Apr 27

Coastal Discovery Center Event: Life of the California Sea Otter
From 10am-11am, join us at the Coastal Discovery Center to learn about the lives of our local California Sea Otters, where the best places are to view them and how marine biologists study and protect them. A 45-minute talk will include a slideshow presentation, videos, live pelts and skulls. This is free public event. Call (805) 927-2145 to reserve a space and leave a call-back number.

Apr 28

Snapshot Day 2019! Santa Cruz area training for volunteers
From 11am–1pm, San Lorenzo Park Duck Pond, 137 Dakota Street, Santa Cruz, CA. For more information contact Lisa Emanuelson at (831) 647–4227 or by email.

Apr 28

Snapshot Day 2019! San Mateo area training for volunteers
From 2pm–4pm, at the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District offices, 80 Stone Pine Road #100, Half Moon Bay, CA. For more information contact Lisa Emanuelson at (831) 647–4227 or by email.

April Natural History Events

By late April most of the weaned Northern Elephant Seal pups have gone to sea to begin feeding. These pups are a favorite prey item for Great White Sharks.
Elephant seals are molting
The Snowy Plover nesting season begins in April, and runs through August – so please watch your step on the beach!

May

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May 1

Snapshot Day 2019! Southern Monterey County/San Luis Obispo area training for volunteers
From 5:30pm–7:30pm, at the Coastal Discovery Center at Hearst State Beach, San Simeon. For more information contact Lisa Emanuelson at (831) 647–4227 or by email.

May 4

Sanctuary Exploration Center Event: Spring Artist Workshop Series
Field Sketching with Tina Fuller of Hawk and Hammer Designs
From 10am-12pm, students will receive a brief lecture/demonstration on artists' field sketchbooks, going over how to choose your subject, composition, and different artistic techniques with mixed media easy to use in the field. We will then go for a short walk over to Cowell Beach to sketch local scenery from life! For specific information about this event, please visit this page, or email the SEC Staff.

May 10

Sanctuary Research Activity Panel (RAP) Meeting
9am–12pm at Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR). For more information contact Andrew DeVogelaere at (831) 647–4213.

May 11

Coastal Discovery Center Event: Tide pooling at San Simeon Beach
From 10:30-11:30am, join us at low tide to explore the invertebrate and algae communities that live between high and low tides. Learn what causes tides, investigate what lives under the sand and discover the stories behind beach-cast plants and animals. Meet at the Coastal Discovery Center. This is free public event. Call (805) 927-2145 to reserve a space and leave a call-back number.

May 11

Sanctuary Exploration Center Event: Spring Artist Workshop Series
Baby Leatherback Painting with Anastasiya Bachmanova of Follow the Sun Art
From 10am-12pm, in this two-hour class we will follow a beginner friendly step-by-step process to create our own ocean inspired paintings. Great for complete beginners and seasoned creatives alike, you have the freedom to add your personal touch - tweak the colors and composition, or just follow along with my instruction! We will learn and practice various painting techniques as we go like color mixing and brush control, with plenty of room for creativity. For specific information about this event, please visit this page, or email the SEC Staff.

May 18

Sanctuary Exploration Center Event: Spring Artist Workshop Series
Sea Animals Collagraph Printmaking with Joan P Bogart
From 10am-12pm, in this 2 hour workshop with local artist Joan Bogart learn how to design and print your own sea animals using a foam collagraph printmaking method. Learn about and admire the different shapes and textures animals have from our image reference. Cut and collage foam shapes and draw it in your collagraph. Make any design entirely on your own! Then ink and pull up to 3 prints from your collagraph to take home (8x10" paper) For specific information about this event, please visit this page, or email the SEC Staff.

May 25

Coastal Discovery Center Event: Tide pooling at San Simeon Beach
From 10-11am, join us at low tide to explore the invertebrate and algae communities that live between high and low tides. Learn what causes tides, investigate what lives under the sand and discover the stories behind beach-cast plants and animals. Meet at the Coastal Discovery Center. This is free public event. Call (805) 927-2145 to reserve a space and leave a call-back number.

May 25

Sanctuary Exploration Center Event: Spring Artist Workshop Series
Upcycled Plastic Hawiian Style Weaving with Local Environmental Educator and Artist Rachael Kippen
From 10am-12pm, this interactive workshop, participants will learn some basics about agricultural plastic use in the Monterey Bay area, both the sustainability benefits provided by the material, and some of the storm water quality and waste management challenges. Guests will then weave retrieved agricultural plastic irrigation drip tape that was recovered from a farm in restoration by the Elkhorn Slough Foundation. Participants will connect the harvesting and weaving of the plastic to the Hawaiian cultural weaving of lauhala. Participants will create their own weaving of agricultural plastic that they will be able to take home with them and decorate how they see fit. For specific information about this event, please visit this page, or email the SEC Staff.

May Natural History Events

Sooty Shearwaters arriving to feed on the vast resources of the bay
The Snowy Plover nesting season begins – so please watch your step on the beach!
Harbor seals – Pupping is in full swing at the west beach of Hopkins Marine Station. Watch for them... always a rewarding experience.
Gray Whale moms and babies (18–20 ft., 2000+ lbs.) are still working their way up the coast during May. Look for them just outside the kelp line, and sometimes in the kelp beds themselves. See them along the Big Sur coast, off Point Lobos, along the Monterey peninsula, Marina, Aptos, Soquel, Capitola, Santa Cruz, and points north. Instead of crossing the open bay from Point Pinos to Santa Cruz, they tend to hug the coastline to protect their calves from Orcas and great white sharks.
Many sea birds,such as the California Mew, and Bonapartegulls; Common and Pacific Loons; Westernand Eared Grebes; Surf Scooters, Red–breasted Mergansers, and others, are changing into their breeding plumage and heading back to their nesting grounds all over the western states, Canada and Mexico.
Sea lions – Fisherman's Wharf and the Coast Guard breakwater jetty are normally great places to see California sea lions of all ages, but they (most adults) are leaving the area to return to their breeding grounds on islands off Southern California (Channel Islands) and Baja (Mexico). (At this time the approach to the breakwater is closed to the public for security reasons). Expect an influx of displaced juvenile (male & some female) sea lions this month; the adults (mostly males) will usually return in August and September.
Blue whales and Humpbacks are here already.

June

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June 1

Sanctuary Exploration Center Event: Spring Artist Workshop Series
Upcycled Plastic Hawiian Style Weaving with Local Environmental Educator and Artist Rachael Kippen
From 10am-12pm, join us for a step-by-step class to create a sea glass mosaic in a wood shadow box frame. You can make a sea turtle or create your own design. All supplies are included: 5”x7” natural wood shadow box, paper, photo mat, jute ribbon hanger, adhesive glue, and a selection of sea glass, seashells, beach stones, and driftwood. If you want to use your own beach finds, please bring them to incorporate into your design! For specific information about this event, please visit this page, or email the SEC Staff.

Jun 8

World Oceans Day
What are you doing to celebrate and honor the body of water which links us all?

June 8

Sanctuary Exploration Center Event: Spring Artist Workshop Series
Paper Lantern Jellies using Recycled Plastics with Local Environmental Educator Chelsea Prindle
From 10am-12pm, in this interactive workshop, participants will be introduced to major ocean processes and how plastics have impacted our oceans. Guests will then create a paper lantern jellyfish using repurposed plastics, ribbon and other materials that they will be able to take home. One paper lantern will be provided, but more will be available for purchase at the workshop. For specific information about this event, please visit this page, or email the SEC Staff.

Jun 21

Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting in Cambria.
For more information please contact Nichole Rodriguez at (831) 647–4206.

June Natural History Events

The Snowy Plover nesting season is in full swings – so please watch your step on the beach!

July

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July Natural History Events

The Snowy Plover nesting season is in full swings – so please watch your step on the beach!

August

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Aug 2-4

Get Into Your Sanctuary Celebration
As a destination for ocean recreation, few places on the planet can compete with the diversity of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary! For more information please contact Lisa Uttal at (831) 420-3669 or by email.

Aug 15

Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) Joint Meeting with GFNMS in Half Moon Bay.
For more information please contact Nichole Rodriguez at (831) 647–4206.

September

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Sept 13

Sanctuary Research Activity Panel (RAP) Meeting
9am–12pm at NOAA Fisheries Lab, Santa Cruz. For more information contact Andrew DeVogelaere at (831) 647–4213.

Sept 21

Coastal Cleanup Day
9am–12pm. Volunteers come together annually to pick up trash and debris from California's coastal beaches and watersheds. Hosted by the California Coastal Commission.

October

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Oct 18

Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting in Marina.
For more information please contact Nichole Rodriguez at (831) 647–4206.

November

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Nov 1

Sanctuary Research Activity Panel (RAP) Meeting
9am–12pm at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML). For more information contact Andrew DeVogelaere at (831) 647–4213.

December

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Dec 13

Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting in Monterey.
For more information please contact Nichole Rodriguez at (831) 647–4206.

December Natural History Events

Look for the blows of gray whales migrating south through Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in December and January. Pregnant females come first, swimming along the coastline and are visible from shore as they head for the warm waters off of Baja California, Mexico for calving and mating.
Northern elephant seals arrive at their breeding colonies (Año Nuevo State Reserve and Piedras Blancas beach) in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Two–ton adult bulls arrive first and fight among themselves for dominant positions; as pregnant females come on shore, they join harems of the highest–ranking bulls. The female population peaks around January 24; the number of pups peaks shortly after. By mid–march most of the adult females and males have returned to sea, leaving the pups behind to fend for themselves. By late April most of the weaned pups have gone to sea to begin feeding.
Winter water fowl migrate through, 100,000's of ducks and geese rest and feed in the lagoons and estuaries in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and northern portion of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.