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Sanctuary News, Announcements, and Programs

News

 

MBNMS Offices and Visitor Centers Have Reopened!

Our top priority is the health of our guests who come to learn about Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and the National Marine Sanctuary System, as well as the staff and volunteers who support our visitor centers. Please check in with the office or centers before planning your visit, as we're following local and departmental guidance. If you have further questions, please contact Dawn Hayes by email. (2/10/2023)
 
 

DRAFT Restoration Plan and NEPA Evaluation for the YFD-70 Dry Dock for GFNMS and MBNMS

Public Comment Period Extended! Due to a technical error during the previous comment period, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is extending the opportunity for public comment via email until March 15, 2023 on the Draft Restoration Plan and NEPA Evaluation for the YFD-70 Dry Dock for Greater Farallones and Monterey Bay national marine sanctuaries that proposes to help restore sanctuary resources injured as a result of this incident. Download and view the plan here. Any comments that were submitted during the original period should be re-submitted to be considered for input. Comments must be submitted to gfnms.restoration@noaa.gov by March 15, 2023. (2/13/23)
 
 

Netflix’s Series Features an Episode on Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

The online streaming service Netflix premiered "Our Great National Parks", a five-part documentary series about the world's most breathtaking national parks and the wildlife that live there. Episode 3 features a 52 minute episode on NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, narrated by President Barack Obama. The episode features some conservation issues facing national marine sanctuaries and the entire world’s ocean, while highlighting the importance of protecting our treasured natural resources. Some of the marine species featured include orcas, southern sea otters, northern elephant seals, gray whales, and many more. See the trailer and stream on Netflix with subscription. (4/26/22)
 
 

BAUE Volunteer Divers Remove Underwater Discarded Tires

Divers remove debris from the deep! Recently, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and California State Parks partnered with Bay Area Underwater Explorers (BAUE) and Lee Oceans Foundation to recover 26 discarded tires from Point Lobos State Marine Reserve. The tires were of unknown origin and are harmful to underwater habitats by displacing substrate and leaching heavy metals and chemicals into the surrounding water. BAUE divers conducted numerous survey dives at 100-170 foot depths to locate the tires in the marine protected area. Removal of each 40 lbs. tire from the seafloor required lift bags and support from the vessel Escapade to return the debris to land for proper disposal. For more information, visit the Lee Oceans Foundation. (4/26/22)
 
 

NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Releases Final Management Plan and Final Environmental Assessment for MBNMS

Over the last decade, the sanctuary's natural and cultural resources and environmental conditions have changed, creating new challenges for protecting resources and facilitating compatible use. At the same time, new tools for effective management have emerged, driven by scientific advances, technological innovation, and new partnerships. An evaluation of requirements and approaches, both current and future, ensure we, and our partners, are making the most effective use of programmatic resources. (11/12/21)
 
 

Superintendent Statement: Large Vessels Close to the Coast in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Large vessels such as container ships and oil tankers have been sited close to the Monterey Bay coast over the past few weeks. NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard to remind the vessels about advisable routes recommended by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Shipping companies are cooperating with the sanctuary’s request that large vessels move west of the recommended routes and well offshore while waiting for entry into San Francisco. For more information, please email Karen Grimmer. (4/13/21)
 
 

Attention Teachers!

Explore MBNMS through our new Distance Learning Programs for your students! Access our pre-recorded marine science programs and lesson plans for free, or schedule a 45 minute LIVE Virtual Interaction Program for a fee. For more information, please email Chelsea Prindle. (11/2/20)
 
 

MBNMS Virtual Dives and Feature Film “One Breath” are now available!

Watch the stunning 18 minute film highlighting the sanctuary from filmmaker Bob Talbot, and take yourself on a virtual dive tour to explore 360° images taken from 11 different sanctuary locations. Use virtual googles for the ultimate immersive experience!. For more information, please email Amity Wood. (10/29/20)
 
 

Support Students for Zero Waste Week 2020

Students in California are inviting their local communities to “Go Green. Think Blue.”, and join them in the 8th annual Students for Zero Waste Week. During this week-long campaign, students are focusing on reducing land-based waste and in turn, helping to protect the health of local marine environments. Their goal is to raise awareness of how single-use plastic and other types of litter affect the health of the local watersheds and our national marine sanctuaries. This year we are encouraging universities, businesses and organizations to participate in the 2020 Zero Waste Week campaign. For more information, please visit Students for Zero Waste Week web page. For more information, please contact Jezella Peraza by email. (12/17/19)
 
 

NOAA Expands Seafloor Protection off West Coast Starting January 1st 2020

More than 140,000 square miles of seafloor along the West Coast will be protected from bottom trawling under a plan implemented by NOAA on January 1st, 2020. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) participated in the decade-long review of Pacific Coast groundfish Amendment 28, Essential Fish Habitat Conservation Areas (EFHCA) within Sanctuary waters, providing critical seafloor, coral, sponge and fish assemblage data, vital to the decision to protect sensitive habitats from bottom trawling. More information on the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) federal register notice can be found here. (12/3/19)
 
 

What’s in Your Watershed? Snapshot Day Celebrates 20 Years of Water Quality Monitoring

Snapshot Day exemplifies a successful 20-year collaboration between dedicated volunteers and a network of water quality professionals on the central California coast. Diverse public agencies, local companies, non-profit organizations, and citizens are all committed to healthy coastal watersheds and a thriving Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary ecosystem. Read the Web Story, or contact Lisa Emanuelson by email for more information. (4/9/19)
 

Job Announcements

 

Position Announcement: Sanctuary Exploration Center Manager

Location: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Santa Cruz, CA
Supervisor: Sanctuary Exploration Center Manager
Status: Full–Time position (40 hours/week)
Pay Range: $65,000 – $70,000/year

Lynker, an employee owned comapny, is seeking to hire a part–time or full–time Facility Maintenance Specialist to support a contract with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Work will be conducted on–site at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz, California.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is one of the nation’s largest marine protected areas encompassing more than 6,000 square miles of central California coastal waters containing a rich array of habitats and marine life. The Sanctuary program provides protection of these natural resources through research and education to foster public understanding and stewardship of this nationally significant marine area. MBNMS opened a state-of-the-art Exploration Center in 2012 to educate and outreach to the local community and visitors to the Santa Cruz area. The goals of the Sanctuary Exploration Center are to educate visitors about the sanctuary’s unique and fascinating coastal marine environment and to encourage stewardship of the sanctuary and a better understanding of how to responsibly enjoy and protect the ocean.

Serves as the Center Coordinator responsible for the overall coordination, control and execution of the operations, education and interpretive programs of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary's Exploration Center in Santa Cruz, CA. Oversees the day to day operations of a public visitor center including staffing, building use and building maintenance.

Provides oversight of the volunteer and docent programs. Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of programs to meet established goals and objectives. Consults/coordinates with activities, subject matter experts or representatives of other Federal Government agencies. Ensures individual program objectives and milestones are accomplished within the overall program objectives.

Ensures program compliance. Collects, reviews and analyzes program information data and provides comprehensive assessment of the program. Oversees, school visits, guided tours, interpretive programs, special events, and community engagement at the facility. Organizes and participates in community outreach programs representing the organization at various meetings. Oversees the programs and exhibits of the Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz, CA. Supports implementation of the sanctuary's overall interpretive plan through development of outreach programs and exhibit design to promote key sanctuary messages related to sanctuary resources, research, policies and issues.

Supports the development and implementation of the annual operating plan and budget for programs at the Exploration Center. Serves as technical point of contact for implementation of programs at the Exploration Center. Represents MBNMS to local recreational and tourism businesses.

The Sanctuary Exploration Center (SEC) Manager requirements include:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in biology, marine science, education, or related field,
  • Five (5) years of experience in marine education or interpretive programs,
  • Preferred to have Certified Interpretive training,
  • Must have demonstrated experience in the development of strategic plans, budgets and project management,
  • Experience coordinating both staff and volunteers,
  • Demonstrated experience overseeing a educational facility,
  • Experience with the development, coordination and evaluation of education programming,
  • Ability to work with community members and businesses to promote sanctuary messages.

For more information and to apply, please visit the Lynker Sanctuary Exploration Center Manager recruitment pages.

 

Position Announcement: Sanctuary Exploration Center Facility Maintenance Specialist

Location: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Santa Cruz, CA
Supervisor: Sanctuary Exploration Center Manager
Status: Full–Time position (40 hours/week)

Lynker, an employee owned comapny, Lynker is seeking to hire a full–time Facility Maintenance Specialist to support a contract with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Work will be conducted on–site at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz, California.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is one of the nation’s largest marine protected areas encompassing more than 6,000 square miles of central California coastal waters containing a rich array of habitats and marine life. The Sanctuary program provides protection of these natural resources through research and education to foster public understanding and stewardship of this nationally significant marine area. MBNMS opened a state–of–the–art Exploration Center in 2012 to educate and outreach to the local community and visitors to the Santa Cruz area. The goals of the Sanctuary Exploration Center (SEC) are to educate visitors about the sanctuary’s unique and fascinating coastal marine environment and to encourage stewardship of the sanctuary and a better understanding of how to responsibly enjoy and protect the ocean.

The Facility Maintenance Specialist duties include:

    • Ensure excellent operation of the Sanctuary Exploration Center by providing facility maintenance, upkeep, evaluation and repair,
    • Identify, analyze, recommend and complete necessary paperwork to improve facility operations,
    • Perform a variety of semi-skilled work in facility maintenance, repair and minor upkeep including some plumbing, filter maintenance, and light fixtures,
    • Perform a variety of Audio-Visual exhibit maintenance, repair and troubleshooting,
    • Investigate, assess and report on deterioration of or damage to the Sanctuary Exploration Center's interpretive exhibits and facility infrastructure,
    • Assist, develop and oversee work on displays and exhibits indoors and outdoors,
    • Assist in ensuring proper safety standards are incorporated in staff and visitor areas.
    • Perform various janitorial tasks at SEC site,
    • Complete all janitorial and maintenance for the SEC site as required, including interior and exterior of building, and grounds,
    • Track and report all cleaning and restroom supplies required for ordering purposes,
    • Assist with identifying service contractors for repair work and report to appropriate site management,
    • Identify areas that need work, and consult with site management on needed plans,
    • Maintain and update facility maintenance schedules,
    • Maintain facilities to all safety, operational and professional standards.
  • Required Qualifications minimum:
    • High school diploma or GED equivalent,
    • Three (3) or more years of professional experience with facility maintenance,
    • Day–to–day experience operating building systems (e.g. heating, lighting, plumbing, electrical, fire/life safety, and elevators) and grounds in a public facility,
    • Highly organized, self-motivated, and strong interpersonal skills,
    • Able to attend to details, effectively prioritize a variety of competing tasks under strict timelines and meet multiple deadlines and approval processes,
    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills,
    • Must have demonstrated computer proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel,
    • Ability to develop solutions and recommendations for on–the–ground issues related to facility and/or exhibit maintenance,
    • Skilled in originating new approaches or adapting existing approaches to develop and carry out projects,
    • Ability to set long rang maintenance plans and estimated cost,
    • Willingness to answer emergency call,
    • Two (2) years of experience working in a similar position involving janitorial,
    • Knowledge of green building maintenance requirements.

For more information and to apply, please visit the Lynker Full–Time Facility Maintenance Specialist recruitment pages.

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 

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