In honor of Earth Day on April 22, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is holding a Party for the Planet, its second annual event that is family-friendly.
The celebration of all things Earth runs Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2300 Expedition Way in La Jolla. The observance highlights ocean planet Earth while pointing out some of the simple steps people can take to make a difference in supporting the planet and safeguarding its health. Festivities will include an hourly parade, people-powered music, and interactive stations that show how people can collectively tackle some of the Earth’s greatest climate challenges.
Don’t miss the opportunity to contribute to an upcycled kelp art project crafted by Barrio Logan-based fabric artist Sew Loca, or engage with climate communicators from Estudio Planeteando, or take in improvisational performances by Imagine Theatre Company. Witness these components merge into one community climate-storytelling experience, connecting guests’ personal ocean stories through art and theater.
La Jolla Village News held a Q&A with Matthew Arrollado, Birch Aquarium’s public programs coordinator, to talk about Party for the Planet and its purpose.
LJVN: Why was the event created and what is its purpose?
Birch: Party for the Planet is a celebration of our ocean planet for guests of all ages to deepen our local communities’ knowledge of and investment in our local ecosystems. This year, our focus is on the diverse and rich kelp forests found just offshore!
LJVN: How is the event family-friendly?
Birch: There will be interactive activities that are fun for the whole family. Dense science concepts can be intimidating, so we strive to create an environment where celebrating and learning go hand-in-hand. There will be a craft station, science stations, a collaborative art piece, and even a facilitated parade where our guests get to be the stars.
LJVN: Tell us about the parade, the music, and the interactive stations that will be involved.
Birch: The parade is my favorite part of the event. We encourage guests of all ages to grab a provided musical instrument and hoot and holler through the aquarium to celebrate our Earth. It’s a great way to get the whole family involved in some silly fun. The science stations will have interactive components for all ages, and our educators will be helping guests discover the importance of kelp to the oceans, the animals that live there, and to humans worldwide. Stations have educational games and science experiments to better understand the kelp ecosystem.
LJVN: How can people, on an individual level, “make a difference” in combating climate change?
Birch: “Making a difference” can feel daunting on the individual level, and even I can still feel overwhelmed by the realities of climate change. We want to instill confidence in all guests and empower them to reflect on what actions are feasible for them to collectively work towards a greener future. Transportation and electricity production are the largest contributors to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere according to the EPA. We want to think about ways that we can conserve some of that energy through using alternative methods of transportation, carpooling, or driving efficiently when driving alone as well as decreasing our dependence on electricity during peak times.
LJVN: How does this event fit in with the aquarium’s mission?
Birch: Our mission is to connect understanding to protecting our ocean planet. There can be many barriers to accessing and understanding marine and climate science. Through events like this one, we really hope to decrease some of those barriers and facilitate connections between guests and our oceans. These kinds of connections happen most when people have a chance to get up close and build relationships with the place we all call home. Party for the Planet brings together art and community with climate science and ocean conservation in a way that builds these connections.
LJVN: What about this “upcycled kelp art project?” What is it and how can guests contribute toward it?
Birch: This aspect of Party for the Planet is new for 2024. There will be a fabric art piece that guests will contribute to. Guests will add different perspectives and conversations around climate change and climate justice onto the kelp, then an improvisational theatre group will act these suggestions out on stage. This art piece that guests will have a hand in making will also be displayed at Terra Fest in Mexico City later in the year, which is an exciting international collaboration.
Birch Aquarium receives AZA accreditation
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has announced that Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego was once again granted accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission. The announcement follows on the heels of Birch Aquarium receiving the Quarter Century Award for 25 years of continuous AZA accreditation last September.
AZA accreditation includes a detailed application and a meticulous multiple-day on-site inspection by an independent team of zoological professionals. The inspecting team analyzes all aspects of the facility’s operation, including animal welfare and wellbeing; veterinary care; staff training; safety for visitors, staff, and animals; educational programs; conservation efforts; financial stability; risk management; governance; and guest services.
“Receiving AZA accreditation is crucial to animal care,” said Jennifer Nero Moffatt, Birch Aquarium’s senior director of animal care, science, and conservation. “It guarantees that we adhere to strict criteria concerning animal welfare, conservation efforts, education, and guest satisfaction. This accreditation demonstrates our dedication to top-notch quality and reassures our community that we operate ethically, responsibly, and with utmost care for both our animals and our guests”
