Sonoran Sea Aquarium
2007 ANNUAL REPORT

The SSA tells the story of the life-giving circle formed by water as its moves from Arizona’s rivers to the Gulf of California. This is a story of rich aquatic life, often only found in this unique region; of people and animals, past and present, who depend on these waters to survive and grow in the Sonoran Desert. The Sonoran Sea Aquarium is dedicated to education as the key element in preserving the animals and a way of life that are only found in the Desert Southwest and the Gulf of California.

Since its’ inception the SSA has been providing marine education to schoolchildren and community groups in the Tucson area. The on-going success of its Education and Outreach Program is a constant reminder of the need for, and want of, marine education in the region.

2007 was the first full year that Franklin Lane served as the Education and Outreach Director. Franklin has a degree in Oceanography from the US Naval Academy, retired from the US Marines as a Lt. Colonel, went to work at Catalina Foothills High School teaching marine science, moved into administration and retired after ten years there as assistant principal and athletic Director. Franklin had also been a SSA volunteer prior to being hired as Director.

During 2007 Franklin focused on getting all of our education programs up to meeting Arizona Academic Standards. He also brought in a new group of volunteers and also developed a part time paid workforce that is paid by the class. Most of the new volunteers and part time staff are individuals with degrees in education and teaching experience.

During the past year the SSA has received significant in-kind donations ranging from office space to exhibit materials to professional services. In addition, SSA has received meaningful financial support from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Central Arizona Project (CAP), United Way of Southern Arizona and several individual donors as well.

Following are highlights of the SSA Education and Outreach Program’s accomplishments during 2007:

• The SSA had direct educational contact (classroom type setting with programming) with over 6,445 children and adults.
• The SSA provided programming in 32 different schools.
• The SSA provided programming at several major community events (events with over 3000 in attendance). Examples of these are the Science and Math Fun Fest at Tucson Convention Center, Ted Walker Days and the Family Fun Fest.
• The SSA is in its fifth year of providing after school programs with Pima County Parks and Recreation.
• The SSA provided environmental education programming at 5 Tucson Boys and Girls’ Club club houses.
• The SSA provided educational and informational presentations at 6 retirement facilities.
• The SSA provided summer programming for the fourth year at libraries in Pima County during summer 2007
• The SSA participated in 3 teacher resource fairs during 2006.
• The SSA and the Tucson Children’s Museum (TCM) continued their partnership by jointly hosting the 3rd Annual “Day at the Beach” at the TCM.
• 2007 was a continued year of collaboration with the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM). The ASDM provides office space for the SSA. In 2007 the SSA provided programming on sustainable sea foods for one Summer Saturday Night.
• SSA and ASDM jointly planned and conducted Desert & Sea Explorers Summer Camp at the ASDM. SSA was also deeply involved with Earth Camp in summer 2007. SSA also assisted in presenting at all the ASDM camps in 2007. SSA and ASDM continued to collaborate on joint school programming contracts and outreach opportunities.
• The ASDM and SSA teamed with Monterrey Bay Aquarium on the Sea Food Watch program for the Gulf of California. The SSA assisted in the production of the Gulf of California Sea Food Watch cards and with the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Sea Food Watch program for Saturday Summer Evening at the ASDM. Monterrey Bay Aquarium Sea Food Watch Coordinator also came to speak at a Tucson Chef’s Association program organized by SSA at Canyon Ranch. The SSA gave 5 additional programs to groups about Sea Food Watch.
• The SSA and the ASDM jointly hosted the Gulf Forum luncheon lecture series in February and March 2006.
• SSA partnered with the ASDM and the University of Arizona to develop a proposal on Informal Science that has been submitted to the National Science Foundation.
• The SSA developed two new programs during 2007:
       -   Introduction to Oceanography
       -   Invasive Species
       -   Humans and Ocean
       -   Native Fish of Arizona
• The SSA is continuing to populate its website with information.
• The SSA participated in the PADI Project AWARE Beach Clean-up at Himalaya Bay in Sonora, Mexico.

The upcoming year has a number of exciting opportunities for the SSA to expand its education programs in both scale and scope. As our program has grown we have found more demand and more need for it. We need to help bring greater knowledge about our environment to the children of southern Arizona. They are our future!