Members' News - November 2009

In this edition:

• Events Not to Miss!
  • Baby Beluga Naming Contest - NEW! Members' Vote Information
  • Super Saturday - November 14
  • 2nd Annual Ocean Wise Chower Chow-Down - November 25
  • Members' Holiday Party - SOLD OUT
• Animal Corner
  • Sea Otter Update
• Conservation, Education & Research
  • On the Origin of Whales
  • From Earth to Ocean: Stories from Gwaii Haanas
• Family Programming
  • See you in Clownfish Cove - Family Programs
  • November Family Program Schedule
• Membership Updates
  • Save Paper - Renew your membership Online!
  • Virtual Water's Magazine
  • Don't forget your Membership Card
  • Museam's of Canada product discounts
  • Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre
• Corporate Membership
• Facility Hours & Parking
  • Fall Facility Hours
• Fall/Winter

 

OUR NEW BABY BELUGA NEEDS A NAME AND YOU COULD BE THE ONE TO NAME HER!

Bring the family for a visit to meet the new calf and discover her playful personality….

Can you find a name for our new baby beluga from the Inuit language Inuktitut? To learn more about Inuit culture and submit your name suggestion online visit www.visitvanaqua.org

Vancouver Aquarium Members and residents of Canada have from November 9 - 22 to submit their entries. The winning entry will receive a grand prize of a baby beluga encounter and a family membership renewal, plus a $200 gift certificate for the Gift Shop.

Baby Beluga Naming
Members Vote - November 25-29

Over the past few weeks, people from across Canada have been submitting names for our new calf. Once the contest closes on November 22, a Vancouver Aquarium committee will review all entries and make a shortlist based on finding a name to match the personality and characteristics of our baby beluga.

The choice of the baby's name will then be decided by Vancouver Aquarium members, since our members know and love our animals and are so closely connected. Members will receive an email with a link to set up a login & password and to vote for their favourite name for our calf. All voting will take place online from November 25 - 29.

The announcement of the name for our new calf will take place on December 2.

*Please be aware that in order to vote, members will need to set up a login & password.

Super Saturday - November 14

On the second Saturday of each month, you can visit our animals before the general public arrives. Adults enjoy complimentary coffee or tea and a copy of the Vancouver Sun, and special family-friendly programs are offered all morning as well.

Come and start the day with us! We'll be opening the Aquarium early at 8:30 am for Members Only.

Do you love to play I spy in the Aquarium’s galleries? So do we! Thank you to everyone who participated in our I Spy Super Saturday on November 14.  For more information on the Aquarium creatures that were featured, please click here!      

2nd Annual Ocean Wise Chowder Chow-Down

Featuring top BC Ocean Wise Chefs and local BC Breweries

Wednesday, November 25th 6pm-8pm at the Vancouver Aquarium

10 top BC Ocean Wise chefs compete to win for a cause – the sustainability of our oceans! The chowder and hops event will see finalists pairing delicious and sustainable chowders at 10 food stations with a local BC beer throughout the venue of aquarium galleries. In addition to the beer pairing, we are excited to offer guests beer tastings from local BC Brewers. Five highly regarded judges will determine the 2009 Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder Champion, whilst guests will vote for the People’s Choice Award ensuring that Chow-Down event is a unique and memorable evening.

Who will be the 2009 Ocean Wise Chowder Champion?

Special Members Price - $28.00
Member's Discount only availabe via email. For more information please contact oceanwise@vanaqua.org

Members' Holiday Party - SOLD OUT

Date:Tuesday December 15, 2009
Time:6:30-8:30pm
Where:Vancouver Aquarium
Price:Free for Members

Featuring Bob’s & Lolo in our new Arctic Canada Gallery, face painting, crafts,cookies & warm drinks and of course a visit with Santa Clause!

Online registration is required - click here to register today* SOLD OUT

*Please note that we encourage all members to set up an online account for the Members' Holiday Party. This will set up a permanent account in our system that will allow you to register for the party, vote in the final stage of the Baby Beluga Naming and renew your membership online.

 Animal Corner - Sea Otter Update

In late October, Tanu, our 5 year old female Northern Sea Otter was reintroduced to Milo, our 10 year old male Sea Otter. This social grouping will continue for an as yet undetermined length of time. This reintroduction is all part of a long term plan to allow the socialization both Milo and Elfin (at separate times), with Tanu for varying durations. In the near future, watch for Tanu to be spending time moving back and forth between the two habitats.

During this time our Marine Mammal Interns will be observing and recording behavioural interactions as part of their required project during their internship here at the aquarium.

Photo: Tanu by Jan Halvarson

Vancouver Aquarium Conservation, Education and Research News

The mission of the Vancouver Aquarium is to conserve aquatic life through display and interpretation, education, research and direct action. Aquarium staff and volunteers have been involved in the creation of Canada's first no-take marine protected area, beach clean-ups, wetlands restorations, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and population surveys of marine mammals and intertidal fishes. Research occurs both in the field and at the Aquarium. Some initiatives are conducted in partnership with other organizations and other projects are conducted independently. 

Each month, we update you with the latest news from the many conservation, research and education initiatives the Aquarium is involved with, in British Columbia and around the world.

On the Origin of Whales

On November 24th at 7 pm the Vancouver Aquarium will host a special event marking an important anniversary. On that day in 1859, Charles Darwin’s revolutionary book ‘On The Origin of the Species’ was published. The book offered humankind a new way to look at the natural world, and a new way to look at itself. Darwin presented overwhelming evidence for a tree of life linking all living things.

Charles Darwin

The Vancouver Aquarium will celebrate this historical anniversary with a free public presentation entitled ‘On the Origin of Whales’. Inspired by Darwin’s original formulation, killer whale expert Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard, Evolutionary biologist Dr. Arne Mooers of Simon Fraser University and whale paleontologist Dr. Nick Pyenson of the University of British Columbia will offer three perspectives on this elegant story of Evolution by Natural Selection. The session topics include recent and remarkable evidence on whales’ unlikely transition from land to water as well as recent work that sheds light on how new species of whale may come about. The evening will also include a special appearance by Darwin himself (aka well known Darwin impersonator Dr. Greg Bole. )

Refreshments to follow lecture Session.

To confirm your seat, email lectureseries@vanaqua.org and put ‘whale’ in the subject line.

From Earth to Ocean: Stories from Gwaii Haanas

Parks Canada has identified the waters around Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (Queen Charlotte Islands) as a potential national marine conservation area reserve. Parks Canada has partnered with the Vancouver Aquarium to offer a unique speaker series to present the stories of Gwaii Haanas. Each engaging event allows audience members to explore a different aspect of the region and understand the need for its protection.

Changing Seascapes - Monday November 16
Moderator: Don Enright, National Parks Interpretation Specialist, Parks Canada.
A look at the changing dynamics of the land and sea, dating as far back as 10,000 years ago to the present. Both human impacts and changing sea levels have played powerful roles in shaping and transforming the seascape.

Healthy oceans, healthy people - Monday December 7
Moderator: Don Enright, National Parks Interpretation Specialist, Parks Canada.
Through sustainable choices, public awareness and involvement, imparting a sense that each person can be part of the solution is key.

To confirm your seat, email: lectureseries@vanaqua.org or call 604-659-3432. Please identify which session(s) you would like to attend. All sessions are free of charge but seating is limited.

Now there are three easy ways to renew your membership.

• in person
• on the phone with us at 604.659.3526
• and online at http://www.vanaqua.org/membership                      

When renewing your membership online, we recommend that you create a Username and Password first, so that you can log in easily from now on.

• The login allows you to connect directly with your current Vancouver Aquarium Membership record, so that you can view your type of membership (Individual Adult, Family etc.) and the current expiry date, while you renew.
• It also means that we don’t create a duplicate file for you, which helps avoid confusion when you visit.
• It takes 48 hours for your login to come into effect, while our database checks you against other members with the same name to protect your privacy and make sure the correct information is presented to you when you renew
• After that, you can renew your membership and you will see details of your current membership as you do so
• After you create your login, you can also make changes to your profile anytime, such as updating your address or contact information.
• Once you have a login, you can use it for all the years of your membership. You do not need to create a new one each year.

Why wait? Create your login now! Then when it’s time to renew, whether it’s this month or next year, it will be much faster for you. And - your login will help you to be among the first to RSVP for members' special events.

To create your login, click here.

Virtual Version of Waters Now Available

You can help us with our conservation practices by reducing paper consumption. Check out the new electronic version of Waters here.

Please email us at members@vanaqua.org if you'd prefer to view it this way in the future, instead of receiving the paper version.

Don't forget your Membership card!

We're making a big effort to make our membership procedures more streamlined and even more secure. To help protect the privacy of our members and to make sure that only our members are getting special benefits at the Aquarium, we’ll be asking you to show your membership card every time you visit, instead of other forms of ID. Showing your membership card means faster entry time for you and other members in line. If you’ve never had a permanent membership card we’d be happy to make one for you and if you are renewing and would like a new card, please let us know. If you’ve lost your membership card it can be replaced for $5.00. Thanks to all members for your help in taking care of security and privacy and helping to enhance your Aquarium experience.   

Visit the new Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Aquarium members receive a discount on daily admission!

Show your  current Aquarium Membership card and receive the following special admission rates:

Adults  $10

Youth (ages 6 to 17) $5

Children five years and under are free.

The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney, BC, is an aquarium and marine education centre focused on the amazing ecosystem of the Salish Sea. Located in a spectacular waterfront building, the centre opened to the public on June 20, 2009. When you visit, be sure to see:

• Gallery of the Drifters –where the Oceaneer will introduce you to algae, plankton and our amazing jellies.
• Ocean’s Heartbeat - our wet lab and a classroom like no other. Check out the teacher’s desk – it’s got fish in it! Peer into the mini-ecosystems through microscopes. The Ocean’s Heartbeat is used on a priority basis by school groups but everyone is welcome between classes.
• Gallery of the Salish Sea - Hundreds of fish, invertebrates and marine plants recreate the ocean and give an underwater view that most people never see. Check out the wolf eels, rock fish and especially the octopus in their overhead grottos.
• Touch Pools - With the breathtaking view of the Gulf Islands, the Salish Sea and our active
• volcano Mt Baker as the backdrop, spend some time with our Oceaneers as they introduce you to what we call hands on/hands wet learning.

Check out the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre website at www.oceandiscovery.ca

Corporate Memberships at the Vancouver Aquarium

The Vancouver Aquarium is proud to announce the launch of a new membership category this year - Corporate Memberships.

These memberships offer employee incentives, employee training and development opportunities, sets of annual memberships and day passes, client entertaining, VIP access, behind the scenes tours of the Aquarium, sponsorship opportunities and more.Check out the Corporate Members section of the Aquarium website for more information on how our Corporate Membership can be designed specifically for your organization. Being a Vancouver Aquarium corporate member enables you to reward your employees, entertain your clients and develop Environmental Management Systems within your organization, while at the same time contributing to the Aquarium's ongoing conservation, research and education programs. 

If you would like to receive more information or a presentation about Corporate Memberships at the Vancouver Aquarium, please contact Kathryn Paley, Membership Development Officer at 604.659.3574

or by email at kathryn.paley@vanaqua.org 

Fall Hours

As of September 8 our hours are as follows:

9:30 AM – 5:00 PM daily

For more information on hours and rates click here.

Fall/Winter Parking at the Vancouver Aquarium

Pay parking in Stanley Park is is operated by Vinci Park on behalf of the

Vancouver Park Board.

There are no parking areas operated by the Vancouver Aquarium. These are the hourly and daily rates:

• October 1 - March 31 7:00 am to 6:00 pm daily $1/hr or $4/day

• Meters accept coins, Visa and Mastercard.

Vinci Park
1440 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC   V6G 2S2
604.684.6634