Heal the Bay Blog

Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium joins more than 1,800 museums nationwide in offering free admission to military personnel and their families this summer. In collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense, the Aquarium will admit all active duty military personnel and up to five family members free of charge from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

This is the third year the Aquarium has participated in the Blue Star Museums program. Blue Star Families is a national, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, including guard and reserve, dedicated to supporting, connecting and empowering military families. Blue Star Families hosts an array of programs with its partners and also works directly with the Department of Defense and senior members of local, state and federal government to highllight military family issues. Working in concert with fellow nonprofits, community advocates and public officials, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life and works to make military life more sustainable.

Congress established the National Endowment for the Arts in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector.

View the complete list of Blue Star Museums.

Did you know that the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium annually welcomes more than 85,000 visitors to their education facility?That’s more than the capacity of Dodger Stadium and the Staples Center combined!

And even with such a talented staff, it’s still no wonder that the Aquarium relies heavily on the support and willingness of their volunteers. To date, the Aquarium has approximately 180 active volunteers serving within the numerous programs offered to the public. Some of these programs include Saturday story time, school field trips, Monday morning marine biology classes for three- to five-year-olds and marine-based presentations for visitors during public hours.

SMPA’s Volunteer Coordinator Jenna Segal started out as a volunteer herself back in 2010. She remembers the enjoyment of seeing students get excited about learning. “We might be their first point of [marine-related] education,” said Jenna. And with roughly 15,000 students visiting the Aquarium each year, education plays a key role in volunteering.

All volunteers go through a six-session training course, which involves learning some basics of marine biology and Heal the Bay’s hot topics. But don’t think it’s all work and no play here at the Aquarium. Most volunteers would agree that what they do is most gratifying, to say the least.

Barry Seid, a long time volunteer and honoree of the Bob Hertz Award for his loyalty and commitment, knows a little bit about the joys of being an Aquarium volunteer. “When you’re volunteering, you get more out of it than the people around you,” said Barry, who loves to mingle and joke around with every visitor. “It’s very satisfying, instant gratification.” When asked what might be his favorite volunteer-related memory, he answered sincerely. “Well, every memory has honestly been my favorite.” Which might explain the 13 years of service he has dedicated to the Aquarium thus far.

As we continue to celebrate the Aquarium’s 10-year anniversary and celebrate all that’s been accomplished, we can’t help but acknowledge the epic role each volunteer has played in this success. It’s not just about the training or the amount of hours invested, to volunteer is to pour your all into a cause that is dear to the heart; to educate and inspire the care and conservation of the Santa Monica Bay and its inhabitants. Here’s to another 10 years!

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” –Winston Churchill

— Deana Fry
Aquarium Intern

Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium annually recognizes all the amazing work – and hours – put in by Aquarium volunteers. Last week the marine science center held its pin ceremony honoring the volunteers. 

The city of Santa Monica is bustling with development projects, and the area around our Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is at the hub of construction activity. We’re committed to providing updates on construction and links to websites that map the best routes and point out parking availability. Most importantly, please remember the Aquarium and the Pier are open! These links will help you get to the Aquarium — our sea urchins still need hugs.

• Watch the live webcam, installed by Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier, to see the Pier Renewal Project’s progress, or learn more about the project.
• Light Rail Construction: Road closures and detours
• Where to Park
• All the hot spots: Check out all the ongoing construction around the city
• Construction Updates: See what’s happening with the construction at the new Tongva Park, the seven-acre park bordering Ocean Avenue and overlooking the Pier and Santa Monica Bay.

More: Visitor Information for reaching the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. Still have questions? Call the Aquarium at 310-393-6149.

When the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium asked our neighbors to help us celebrate the marine center’s 10th anniversary throughout the month of March, they jumped at the bait, creating ocean-inspired concoctions to serve in their establishments.

We’re looking forward to spending a week making our way through the signature libations and food specials at these seven Santa Monica businesses – beginning March 1st to allow time for return visits! 

The Basement Tavern will be serving up the Green Barnacle cocktail: jalapeño and honey dew infused vodka, citrus, agave, mint, and cucumber over ice.

·      Beachy Cream Organic Ice Cream will be scooping the flavor of the month, Peanut Butter Jellyfish.

·      The Hungry Cat will be pouring Neptune’s Muse (pictured right): gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, liquore Strega, Creme de Violette, served up with a black lava salt rim.

·      Lago Santa Monica  presents the Santa Monica Starfish cocktail: fresh oro blanco grapefruit, blood orange, Tru Organic Vodka, splash of sparkling prosecco.

·      The Lobster, featuring the Heal the Bay Tide Pool: Rain organic vodka, Midori, Malibu rum, chambord, splash of pineapple and orange juice, served straight up, with 10% of the proceeds going to the Aquarium. 

·      Rusty’s Surf Ranch premieres the Rubyfish Red: Absolut Ruby Red Vodka, white grapefruit juice and grenadine, served in a souvenir Rusty’s glass. Mention the Aquarium’s anniversary and receive 10 percent off the check.

·     Mariasol Restaurant will offer a 10% discount on all food (not alcohol) for all those who mention the Aquarium’s anniversary. 

Many thanks to our 10th Anniversary Party Partners!

As we commemorate a decade operating our Aquarium, we’re highlighting our history, previewing our plans for the NEXT 10 years and encourage all to celebrate with us.

If you haven’t already, come visit our Aquarium, located beach level at the Santa Monica Pier, just below the carousel. Join us the first weekend of March to celebrate our 10-year anniversary!

We try to practice what we preach, so it’s gratifying that our Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is receiving recognition for being a green business.

The Aquarium was chosen to receive two awards — one for stewardship of the natural environment and the second for sustainable economic development — by the annual Sustainable Quality Awards program. The Santa Monica Chamber, the city’s environmental department, and Sustainable Works run the annual competition each year, acknowledging businesses in Santa Monica that have made significant achievements in the areas of sustainable economic development, social responsibility and stewardship of the natural environment.

With 19 businesses vying for the awards this year it’s a true accomplishment to receive honors in two categories. The Aquarium and the other winners will be honored at a luncheon next month. These awards will be added to the Sustainable Quality Award the marine science center received back in 2005 and our certification as a Santa Monica green business. It might be time to build a trophy case!