Underwater World of Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary

The Underwater World of Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary with Jennifer Stock, Media Liaison and Education Specialist for NOAA Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries.

Friday, January 24, 2025, 6:00-7:30 PM: $10-$25

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary is entirely offshore. Within its 1,286 square miles, the sanctuary protects soft seafloor habitat, a rocky bank, deep sea canyons, and communities of wildlife throughout. Its surface waters are feeding areas for local and migratory seabirds and marine mammals. During this engaging evening, we will learn about the history of National Marine Sanctuaries and hear ecosystem stories of Cordell Bank with pictures and video focused on who lives there, species of special concern, regional climate impacts and what is being done to help mitigate them, and much more.

Presentation + Optional Virtual Reality Experience: Dive on Cordell Bank! between 5:00-5:45 or between ~7:45-8:30: $15-$25

Put on a VR headset and explore Cordell Bank without getting wet! Experience a 360 degree view while being virtually immersed in this beautiful underwater environment that is right off the Sonoma Coast. Discover colorful corals and anemones, rockfish, jellies, ocean sunfish and more. The virtual experience is ~10 minutes. Arrive anytime between 5:00-5:30 if you register for the pre-presentation time block. There will also be engaging educational displays for you to explore.

Jennifer Stock is the Media Liaison and Education Specialist for NOAA Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. She has led education and outreach for Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary for over 20 years bringing this offshore underwater wonder to us through exhibits, multimedia experiences, curriculum, education programming and live expeditions. She has seen the bank up close through a submersible, led wildlife watching trips offshore, participated in underwater exploration expeditions and enjoys showing off this wondrous underwater jewel to increase awe and appreciation of our ocean and National Marine Sanctuaries. Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary is managed along with Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary under NOAA.

Also joining us this evening:

Justin Holl is an Education & Outreach Specialist for NOAA’s Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. He manages the sanctuary Visitor Center at Crissy Field in San Francisco, and teaches marine science for schools and communities throughout the Bay Area.

Janai Southworth is a Naturalist with the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Board President of the San Francisco Microscopical Society, and a plankton enthusiast.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, 900 Sanford Rd, Santa Rosa, United States