Message to Naturalists from Chris Cameron of Camp Ocean Pines:
Someone told
me you should keep 90% of your knowledge in reserve and share 10% with the
kids. As a working naturalist, I know that there were times
I was giving
100% of what I knew! Naturalists should have a good, solid background in scientific
facts, even though we only with students a short time and usually can only
skim the surface of our subjects. As the director of Camp Ocean Pines, I
have an exceptional
opportunity for all naturalists who teach about the ocean, and especially marine
mammals.
I am offering excellent seminars for 1⁄2 price to naturalists! On top of
that, since I don’t have mid-week groups in January, any naturalist who
wants to attend more than one weekend, I will give free housing for
the week in our brand new strawbale cabins – and the use of the kitchen to cook
your meals. So if you know any naturalists who are waiting for spring outdoor
ed, this may be an excellent opportunity!
Camp Ocean Pines is hosting three
weekend retreats in January focused on Marine Mammals. We have the world’s leading
researchers coming to share their latest research and exciting discoveries!
Here is the preview to pass along to all naturalists!
Jan 6-8: Dan Costa's presentation overview:
In an effort to understand biological hotspots in the North Pacific Ocean,
the Tagging of Pacific Pelagics program is using biologging technology to simultaneously
map the location of marine vertebrates including mako, salmon and white sharks,
elephant seals, bluefin and yellowfin tuna, black-footed and Laysan albatross,
California sea lions and leatherback sea turtles. TOPP is coupling electronic
tagging data with satellite remote sensing technologies to simultaneously map
the movements of diverse pelagic species and link their movements to oceanographic
processes.
Jan 13-15: Burney Le Boeuf’s overview:
“Sleuthing Mother Nature with Seals: Revelations from Long-Term Study”
Advances in the study of marine mammals have come mainly from two different approaches:
1) Advances in instrumentation that have allowed us to measure and observe
things that were previously inaccessible; and 2) Long-term study of marked individuals
in nature have revealed insights into the fundamental processes of survival
and
reproduction - the variables on which natural selection acts - that are not
evident in shorter studies. You will learn revelations gleaned from a four-decade
study
of northern elephant seals in central California.
Jan 20-22: Terrie Williams and Jim Estes overview:
The cute and cuddly otter has engendered public support. Jim and Terrie have
been behind much of the research and leading theories regarding the northern
and southern otter populations. Participants will help investigate the death
of an otter through the necropsy process; and will help prepare specimens for
educational purposes.
Schedule
Friday
4-6 pm Arrive, reception, cabin assignments, settle in
6-7 pm Dinner at camp
7-9 pm Marine mammal presentation by speaker
Saturday
7-8:30 am Breakfast at camp
9-Noon Speaker leads participants on field studies at Piedras Blancas Lighthouse
12-1 pm Hot Lunch at camp
1-4:30 pm Field studies on East/West Ranch free time in Cambria, activities
at camp
5-6 pm Dinner at camp
7-9 pm Community presentation of research by speaker
Sunday
7-9 am Breakfast at camp, prepare a sack lunch for the road
9-Noon Field observations with speaker, activities at camp
12 pm Depart from camp, sack lunch on the road
Chris Cameron
Director, Camp Ocean Pines
805-927-0254 (camp)
