First Wednesdays: Lecture, Cocktail Hour, and Music

Exploring California Wildlife: From Gray Whales to Garibaldi

California has a vibrant ocean. Over 1700 species are found in its waters. Join us for a deep dive into thirty of these marine animals. Gray whales, California brown pelicans, and southern sea otters were once near extinction but made remarkable recoveries. Sunflower sea stars and white abalone have faced steep declines and require substantial conservation measures to preserve their future. Garibaldi and great blue heron have stable populations but still are impacted by human activities. Learn more about how these ocean neighbors are doing and the conservation interventions that ensure they are around for generations to come.

The thirty species are featured in the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Marine Species Report Card. This is a web-based resource that makes population monitoring and other technical information accessible to the public. You can learn about a species’ natural history, threats they are facing, and the actions people are taking to conserve them at: www.aquariumofpacific.org/reportcard

Following the talk, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy cocktails, conversations, music and crafts in our Art Gallery and experience our interactive Paint-a-Fish exhibit.

This is an adult-oriented program recommended for ages 14+ (not suitable for young children). This lecture will also be live-streamed for those unable to join in person.

TICKETS

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DATE

Wednesday
March 5, 2025
7:00–9:00 pm PT

COST

$5.00 per ticket for advance online reservations or $10.00 per ticket on the day of the event at the door (pending availability. Please check first).

Parking is $6.00 for the for 2.5 hours in the structure located directly across from the Aquarium. Cash bar.

Speaker Bio

Jennie Dean is the vice president of education and conservation at the Aquarium of the Pacific where she helps to amplify and enhance the institution’s work in species conservation and learning for all audiences. Previously, she served as program director at UCLA Institute of Environment and Sustainability. She has also worked in the field of marine conservation policy through federal government roles at the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Navy and at nonprofit organizations, including the Pew Charitable Trusts, Global Ocean Commission, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Dean received a master’s degree in environmental management from Duke University and a bachelor’s from Princeton University.

Dr. Peter Kareiva ( “pk”) is president and CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific. He previously served as the director of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA. Prior to that, he was Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy, Director of the Division of Conservation Biology at NOAA’s fisheries lab in Seattle, and a professor at several universities, including Brown University, University of Washington, and Santa Clara University. He has published over 200 scientific papers and written or edited nine books in fields ranging from conservation and climate change to genetic engineering, evolution, agriculture, and risk analysis. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and member of the National Academy of Science.

The Aquarium of the Pacific’s First Wednesdays series focuses on animals, nature and conservation efforts. The events bring scientists, authors, and other experts into its Honda Pacific Visions Theater for an illustrated talk paired with book signing or meet and greets and cocktail/social hours with music and crafts. The programs are best suited for high school and college students, young professionals, and adults of all ages. Lectures are also live streamed and recorded.