December 24, 2019 - Pacific Grove, CA - As a vital community and educational hub, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History plans varied and engaging events and activities to help inspire discovery, wonder and stewardship.
This mission reshapes the typical museum experience, while creating a busy calendar to pique anyone’s interest.
The following schedule represents the first quarter for 2020:
What: California Native Plant Society Meeting
When: Thursday, Jan. 9, 7 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Kanyon Sayers-Roods, Ohlone and Chumash educator, artist and storyteller from Indian Canyon, will share botanical teachings from the Indigenous community and perspectives on sustainable harvesting. She will also discuss tensions between colonial and Indigenous practices, and issues of access to traditional land use and land acknowledgement. The Costanoan Ohlone-Mutsun California Native is active in the native community as an artist, author, activist, student and teacher. The daughter of Ann-Marie Sayers, she was raised in Indian Canyon, trust land of her family, one of the few spaces in Central California available for the Indigenous community for ceremony. Her art has been featured at the De Young Museum, and she is a consultant on Indigenous California. She recently formed an LLC called Kanyon Konsulting with the mission of bridging the gap between indigenous and contemporary value systems. All are welcome to these free presentations held on the second Thursday of every other month.
What: Member Event: Yoga at the Museum!
When: Saturday, Jan. 11, 8-9:30 a.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Bring your mats and enjoy a yoga session inspired by the museum’s connections to the natural world. Rise and shine with Union Yoga instructor Marybeth Murray, who teaches an alignment based Vinyasa yoga, and is focused on helping to build strength, create openings, and connect to the body through safe, fun and creative movements. Finish with some wellness refreshments. Suitable for all experience levels. Members are encouraged to bring their own mat (limited mat supply available). Not a member yet? Join here: pgmuseum.org/membership. RSVP to brooker ( @ ) pgmuseum dot org dot
What: LiMPETS Rocky Intertidal Teacher Workshop
When: Saturday, Jan. 11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
LiMPETS (long-term monitoring program and experiential training for students) is a community science program, and this workshop is open to high school and college teachers who want to participate in LiMPETS with their classes. Contact Hannah Sarver, LiMPETS program coordinator, at (831) 648-5716 ext.11 or sarver ( @ ) pgmuseum dot org for registration and questions dot
What: Hardcore Natural History Series — Masters of None: Why Being a Generalist is Advantageous in Changing Oceans
When: Thursday, Jan. 16, 6:30-8 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Humpback whale populations have increased strongly in the Eastern North Pacific (and Monterey Bay) since the end of commercial whaling. This rebound in numbers is due in large part to their generalist foraging strategies. Join us as we explore the versatile foraging habits of humpback whales with Dr. David Cade. We will explore how whales can not only switch prey types — with whales in different environments feeding on many species of krill as well as anchovies, herring, sand lance, capelin and other forage fish — but can capture these different prey in a variety of ways that continue to surprise researchers. $5 members online • $10 non-members online • $15 at the door
What: Junior Naturalist — The Snowy Plover
When: Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.-noon
Where: Monterey State Beach
Join us as state parks representative Dave Dixon guides us through the coastal dune ecosystem and reveals the hidden world of the federally threatened snowy plover. Come learn about the important role these birds play in our local ecosystems and how we can help preserve this incredible species for the future.
What: Natalie Arnoldi Show Opening
When: Thursday, Jan. 23, 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
The museum is proud to host the work of artist Natalie Arnoldi's (b. 1990, California) in a special exhibition, “The Depths of Monterey Bay.” Her large-scale oil paintings explore the fine line between abstract and figurative painting and the psychological effects of ambiguous representation. Her work often includes an environmental narrative, as this show will focus on the fantastic ocean creatures that spend time off our shores.
Currently pursuing a PhD at Hopkins Marine Station, Arnoldi has pursued careers in both art and science for the past decade. She has found a synergy in painting and science: two endeavors that might appear counterintuitive. Instead, each has given her a unique and enriched perspective into the other. Arnoldi's work will show at the museum between January 23 and April 26, in conjunction with a Hardcore Natural History devoted to Monterey Bay.
What: Science Saturday — Amazing Migrations
When: Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Join us for January’s Science Saturday as we investigate the world of long-distance animal travels. Whales, birds, insects, and more will be the focus of our deeper look at these natural phenomena. Learn about the many amazing migratory birds that visit Monterey County every year, and celebrate another birthday for Sandy the Whale with cake served at noon. As always, admission to Science Saturday is free.
What: Volunteer Orientation Classes
When: Wednesday nights, Feb. 5-March 11
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Are you interested in volunteering at the museum? From docenting to joining one of our community science programs, there are many routes one can take. Learn about the museum's mission, our area's natural history and our volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in being a class member, or want more information, contact maddenfulk ( @ ) pgmuseum dot org.
What: Volunteer Event: California King Tide
When: Saturday, Feb. 8, 8:30 a.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Learn about the King Tides and document the high tide first hand as part of the California King Tides Project. Not only will we participate in community science, but we will hear from a speaker after our journey to the beach. Open to museum volunteers.
What: Hardcore Natural History Series — Conversation with the Artist
When: Thursday, Feb. 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Join us for a conversation with Natalie Arnoldi, whose artwork is featured in the museum’s Special Exhibit Gallery “Depths of Monterey Bay.” $5 members online • $10 non-members online • $15 at the door.
What: Science Saturday — Animal Athletes
When: Saturday, Feb. 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
This highest jumping, fastest flying, strongest biting Science Saturday of the year focuses on the Olympians in the animal kingdom. From falcons to mountain lions, and beetles to beavers, every athlete has a story to tell. Join us for crafts, activities and science as we sprint, jump and dive into the world of Animal Athletes. As always, admission to Science Saturday is free.
What: Member Event: Birding by the Bay
When: Saturday, March 7, 8-10 a.m.
Where: Frog Pond Wetland Preserve, Del Rey Oaks
Members are invited to join us as we wake up with the birds for some spotting and identifying. Amanda Preece, board member of the Monterey Audubon Society and with California State Parks at Asilomar, will lead the walk as we peer through our binoculars to get a better look at those flighty friends that live all around us. Preece is no stranger to birds — making her living restoring native habitats and leading bird walks at Asilomar, pursuing a graduate degree in environmental science with her thesis related to songbird use of nest boxes, and spending her free time as a Black Oystercatcher monitor, among other volunteering pursuits. Binoculars available to share. RSVP to brooker ( @ ) pgmuseum dot org dot
What: Night Owl: Prehistoric Party
When: Saturday, March 14, 7-10 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Are you ready to party like it’s 19 million years ago? Join us as we put on a Night Owl fundraiser of epoch proportions. This will be an opportunity to get up close to fossils from our collection, while enjoying games, craft drinks, delicious bites and tromp-stomping music. Rediscover your sense of wonder while supporting the museum during this ancient after-hours event! Prehistoric costumes encouraged, with special prizes awarded. $29 members online, $39 non-members online, $49 at the door. Proceeds support museum education programs. Must be 21 and over.
What: Science Saturday — Bees, Wasps, Honey & Hives
When: Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Explore the sweet side of science as Science Saturday turns its attention to bees, wasps, honey and hives. Do all bees make honey? How do you tell a wasp from a bee? Do all bees sting? Find the answers to all of your buzzing questions as you complete a craft, and learn about some of our most important local pollinators. As always, admission to Science Saturday is free.
Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the museum is at 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. For more information, call 648-5716, or visit www.pgmuseum.org.
Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.pgmuseum.org
