The late world-renowned oceanographer Walter Munk of La Jolla and Scripps Institution of Oceanography has a manta ray (Mobula munkianas) and the La Jolla Shores boardwalk, Walter Munk Way, named for him.
He even has a foundation bearing his name and continuing his lifelong legacy of scientific research. Mary Munk noted her late husband once said: “People should treat the oceans like we do anything else that we care about – with consideration, with care, and affection. That’s it. For that, we must educate.”
Founded in 2017, the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans, a nonprofit, is working diligently to continue its iconic exploration and discovery through scientific research, education, and ocean conservation.
“ Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans is a collaborative foundation, acting locally and globally to bridge gaps between ocean research, education, and conservation by increasing accessibility to all things ocean through engagement with diverse communities,” said Mary Munk.
“Our board members and staff of oceanographers, educators, and conservationists work with local students and community members to develop an understanding of our fragile oceans and marine environment, thus inspiring much-needed stewardship.”
Some projects Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans is working on:
– EIS programs: It’s estimated that 80% of the students in our underserved communities have never been to the beach/ocean. Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans will be working with San Diego Unified School District to provide five full-day field trips that will take students, among other places, to the Walter Munk Educational Plaza and The Map of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla in Kellogg Park in La Jolla Shores. There, educators will link the region’s geology to coastal ocean processes. The Map depicts 123 life-size species set in a vibrant mosaic, illustrating the depth of the water canyons, dive sites, and underwater features and habitats. Students will explore local marine ecology and the coastal environment through games centered around the species and habitats depicted in The Map.
– Fundraiser: The Marine Room restaurant at 2000 Spindrift Drive is presenting “A Conscious Catch” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 13 benefiting Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans. Marine Room executive chef Mike Minor and chef de cuisine Alex Pailles, sustainable-seafood chef Rick Moonen, and others have created a menu that minimizes carbon footprints and supports local seafood purveyors. Learn more at bit.ly/MarineRoomConsciousCatch.
– Walter Munk Day/Bronze Bathymetry: Join Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans on Saturday, Oct. 14 to celebrate the second annual Ocean Awareness Day honoring Walter Munk’s 80-year legacy. The purpose is to raise awareness of the fragility of our oceans and environment. The dedication ceremony will feature the unveiling of the bronze sculpture, “From the Heights of Mt. Soledad to the Depths of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla,” depicting the topography of Mt. Soledad to the bathymetry of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla.
– The Remora program: In partnership with Cousteau Divers and Odyssea Divers, Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans is conducting citizen science off the coast of San Diego. Recreational divers can take a small ocean measurement device with them on their dives to measure temperature and depth. This important information helps scientists monitor local Marine Protected Areas and introduces interested people to oceanography and ocean observation.
– Shade Structure Repair and Shade Sail Replacement: Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans has raised money for the repair and repainting of the shade structure and replacement of the Shade Sail for the much-loved bronze sculpture of J.J. the Orphaned Baby Gray Whale at Kellogg Park in La Jolla Shores.
Munk Foundation Strategic Plan
Misión and objective in the next five years: To increase the quantity and quality of data collected and publicly available related to ocean Marine Protected Areas and vulnerable species. Develop and test citizen science observation instruments, methods, and programs to support local and global research goals and conservation efforts. Grow a staff of experts and a network of collaborating researchers and educators to improve local and global outreach.
Principles:
– Programs in Earth and ocean science are conducted the same way Walter Munk did – by working with experts and learners across a wide variety of disciplines, institutions, and organizations.
– The foundation acts locally and globally to bridge gaps between ocean research, education, and conservation by increasing accessibility to – and engagement with – diverse communities.
– The foundation is data-driven and independent in its approach to identifying and presenting complex and controversial issues related to environmental and marine science.
WALTER MUNK
Walter Heinrich Munk, referred to as the “Einstein of the oceans,” was born on Oct. 19, 1917, in Vienna, Austria, and died on Feb. 8, 2019, at age 101. Munk was a physical oceanographer and professor of geophysics emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla. One of the first scientists to bring statistical methods to the analysis of oceanographic data, Munk was one of the world’s foremost authorities on winds and waves, including the study of polar ice melting from global warming. Munk and his doctoral advisor developed methods for forecasting wave conditions which were used in support of beach landings in all theaters of the war including Normandy and D-Day. He was also involved with oceanographic programs during the atomic bomb tests in Bikini Atoll.
