Park Adventures
Tour Bodega Marine Laboratory with Dr. Kristin Aquilino and Stay at Bodega Bay Lodge
- Item Number
- 539
- Estimated Value
- Priceless
- Sold
- 650 USD to carenorum
- Number of Bids
- 4 - Bid History
Item Description
Do you want the good news or the bad news first? How about both at once: There are now more endangered white abalone in tanks at the University of California at Davis Bodega Marine Lab than remain in the wild. While this sadly highlights the critical state of wild white abalone, it also demonstrates the huge success of the White Abalone Captive Breeding Program.
Join Dr. Kristin Aquilino on a two-hour tour of Bodega Marine Laboratory and their specialized white abalone holding facilities, and have a chance to view some of the most precious snails in the world. Learn about white abalone's cultural, economic, and ecological importance, and the research scientists are doing to help restore them. Few things bring Dr. Aquilino more joy than showing off a white abalone's adorable face to someone for the first time, its beady, black eyes topping its long, skinny eyestalks. Selfies with these delightful snails will likely be encouraged.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration now lists white abalone as one of its eight "Species in the Spotlight," those species most at risk of going extinct in the near future. Happily, captive breeding efforts bring new hope to recovery efforts, and scientists are excited to start pilot outplanting work in the next few years. By replacing overhead pipes with towering kelp forests and swapping out submersible pumps for steady ocean swells, they hope these precious baby snails might save their species from the verge of extinction.
A group of up to 10 people (children included) can be accommodated on this behind-the-scenes tour. Sturdy footwear is recommended. Weekdays preferred, from November 2017 through October 2018, with limited availability from February through April 2018.
A portion of proceeds from this auction item will be directed to Bodega Marine Lab's white abalone program.
Dr. Kristin Aquilino is an Assistant Project Scientist at University of California, Davis, Bodega Marine Laboratory where she directs the White Abalone Captive Breeding Program. Hailing from Iowa, she feels equally at home among rustling rows of corn and towering forests of kelp.
She graduated with comprehensive honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and a certificate in Environmental Studies from University of Wisconsin - Madison in 2005 and received her PhD in Population Biology from UC Davis in 2011, after which she joined the white abalone program. Dr. Aquilino recently received the NOAA Species in the Spotlight Hero Recognition Award for her work saving white abalone.
Dr. Aquilino has a strong interest in forming meaningful and robust connections among science, restoration, and aquaculture, as well as communicating science to a broad audience, as exemplified by her commitment to science outreach and education.
Bodega Bay Lodge is a serene, an independent, locally owned and operated getaway, a coastal treasure trove offering memorable views of the Bay, Bodega Head and the Pacific Ocean, and a short walk down to Doran Beach Regional Park.
This retreat offers a top-rated restaurant, a casual fireside bar, highly personalized spa services, heated pool and infinity edge spa all on beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds overlooking Bodega Bay.
All rooms have cozy down-comforter beds and private balconies or verandas, and provide complimentary wi-fi, evening wine reception and locally sourced organic coffee and organic teas in the lobby until noon.
Step up for science education and this idyllic seaside adventure getaway for two, bid now!
Item Special Note
Funds from the Dinner on the Pacific Plate Auction support important park preservation and environmental education projects at Point Reyes National Seashore, located just 90 minutes northwest of San Francisco on the Marin County coast. All winning bids made above fair market value are tax-deductible.
This package includes:
(1) Guided tour of Bodega Marine Bay Laboratory.
(1) Overnight deluxe room stay at the Bodega Bay Lodge for two.
We will connect you with the donor(s) following auction close.
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