10 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER FOR AQUARIUM CELEBRATION.Byline: Miriam Finder Staff Writer Aquarium of the Pacific The Aquarium of the Pacific is located in the city of Long Beach, California at the mouth of the Los Angeles River. The aquarium features a collection of over 12,500 animals representing almost 1,000 different species. in Long Beach will salute a decade of bringing ocean wonders to the public with a yearlong, 10th-anniversary celebration kicking off today. "The overriding theme is the number 10 and celebrating 10 years of ocean education and adventure," said Cecile Fisher, aquarium vice president of marketing and communications. The aquarium was founded as a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. in 1998 to feature exhibits on the wildlife and habitats of the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium focuses on the California, Baja, Northern Pacific and Tropical Pacific regions of the ocean, as well as the Gulf of California Noun 1. Gulf of California - a gulf to the west of the mainland of Mexico Sea of Cortes Mexico, United Mexican States - a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810 , in a newly opened exhibit. It showcases 500 species and more than 12,500 animals. It is also home to a shark lagoon and lorikeet lorikeet called also lories. See Trichoglossus spp. aviary aviary Structure for keeping captive birds, usually spacious enough for the aviculturist to enter. Aviaries range from small enclosures to large flight cages 100 ft (30 m) or more long and up to 50 ft (15 m) high. Enclosures for birds that fly only little or weakly (e.g. . The anniversary celebration, running through May 30, 2009, will include programs covering the aquarium's top 10 ocean environmental issues and top 10 animals. Environmental concerns will be addressed in the "Ocean on Edge: Top 10 Ocean Issues" exhibit and lecture series featuring more than 20 speakers. The series aims to teach visitors about dangers to the environment and what they can do to help. The exhibit will include displays on topics such as ocean health and climate change. A desert tortoise desert tortoise see gopherus agassizii. , bearded dragon bearded dragon see amphibolurus barbatus. and blue-tongue skink skink Any of about 1,275 species (family Scincidae) of lizards found throughout the tropics and in temperate regions of North America. Skinks have a cylindrical body, a conical head, and a long, tapering tail. Some species are 26 in. (66 cm) long, but most are under 8 in. will be on hand to drive home the seriousness of the environmental issues facing these creatures. Educating the public about environmental issues is part of the aquarium's mission, said Stefani Green, an aquarium spokeswoman. The goal of the aquarium is to develop a curiosity and respect for the Pacific Ocean, its animals and its ecosystems, Green said. "As an educational, mission-based organization Mission-based organization is often used as an alternative to terms such as non-profit and non-governmental organization. The latter define organizations in negative terms (i.e. , we felt that our anniversary was a good opportunity to draw awareness to the ocean, how it affects us, how we affect it and how we can help protect it," Fisher said. The top 10 aquarium creatures highlighted during the celebration are crowd favorites voted on by visitors. They include the clown fish clown fish n. See anemone fish. , leafy sea dragon The leafy sea dragon, Phycodurus eques, is a marine fish related to the seahorse. It is the only member of the genus Phycodurus. These creatures are found around southern and western Australia and generally remain in shallow, temperate waters. , sea lion and sea otter. These will be honored throughout the year with their own Top 10 tour, said Shelley Ko, family programs coordinator. If visitors can't make it to the celebration during regular hours, they may be able to take advantage of the "10 O'Clock Sundays" program. Sundays, from June 22 through Aug. 31 (except for Aug. 18), the aquarium will stay open until 10 p.m. Admission after 5 p.m. will be $10 for everyone. Special programs will coincide with "10 O'Clock Sundays" on July 13 (a Long Beach Municipal Band concert) and Aug. 3 (the Tafesilafa'i Pacific Islander Festival). To further promote the number 10, anyone with a birthday on the 10th of any month can get into the aquarium for $10 during the yearlong celebration, provided they show appropriate I.D. There also will be 10 prizes given away daily and a weekly grand prize of JetBlue airline tickets, Fisher said. Fisher said the goal of the 10th-anniversary events is in keeping with the goal of the aquarium -- to educate and inspire as many people as possible about the ocean and how to protect it. Miriam Finder (310) 540-5511, Ext. 390 miriam.finder(at)dailybreeze.com AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC'S 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION >When: Kicks off today; regular aquarium hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. >Where: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. >Admission:$20.95, $17.95 seniors, $11.95 children 3-11. >Information: (562) 590-3100, www.aquariumofpacific.org. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- 2) The leafy sea dragon is a favorite of visitors to the Aquarium of the Pacific. It's among 10 creatures featured during the aquarium's 10th-anniversary celebration. Photo courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific |
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