Santa Cruz, CA — The site for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz was officially dedicated to the people of Santa Cruz in a ceremony today near the Municipal Wharf. A sign announcing the project was unveiled and local businessman Charles Canfield kicked off a major fundraising campaign by presenting a check to help build educational exhibits for the planned state-of-the-art marine science education facility.

“The Exploration Center will be a positive new attraction to the seaside community of Santa Cruz and will help educate visitors on ways to protect and preserve Monterey Bay. The center will offer local businesses great marketing opportunities, especially with an estimated 150,000 visitors expected each year, so I urge you to become a sponsor,” said Charles Canfield, President of the Seaside Company and member of the center’s capital campaign leadership committee.

Construction of the new 11,000 square ft. center is planned to start in the summer of 2010. It will be two stories tall; built to “green” standards; feature a submarine canyon; a theater with realtime underwater video of marine life in Monterey Bay; a hands-on laboratory; a model kelp forest; and other dynamic interactive exhibits.

“While federal funding was secured for the center’s construction, we still need to raise funds to build the exhibits that are essential to help people experience the ocean in an engaging way. The Foundation is committed to raising the $3 million needed for the exhibits with the support of our leadership committee, foundations and local business leaders,” said National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, President and CEO, Jason Patlis.

The ceremony, which also marked the 17th Anniversary of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, was attended by several high level officials from the city, state and federal government, including Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent, Paul Michel; National Marine Sanctuary Foundation President and CEO, Jason Patlis; Santa Cruz City Mayor, Cynthia Matthews; Santa Cruz County Supervisor, Neal Coonerty; Santa Cruz City Redevelopment Agency Director, Bonnie Lipscomb; and Coastal Commissioner Mark Stone.

“The health of Monterey Bay is vital to the economic health and well-being of Santa Cruz and adjacent communities. The center will help create local construction jobs and will be a focal point in the community to help convey a positive environmental message to tourist and residents alike. The City is proud to be a partner with NOAA and others in this effort,” said Santa Cruz City Mayor, Cynthia Matthews.

Congressman Sam Farr, a major supporter of the Exploration Center, appeared via a video presentation projected on a JumboTron video screen. He thanked all the attendees who have supported the project with their money, staff resources and overall commitment to the center’s future completion and ultimate success.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is the private, non-profit partner to NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. The Foundation supports efforts to educate and motivate people on ways they can help preserve, protect and promote our nationwide network of marine sanctuaries for future generations to enjoy. The 14 sites within the National Marine Sanctuary System protect special places in the oceans and Great Lakes, from the Florida Keys to the Hawaiian Islands and from Lake Huron to the Gulf of Mexico.

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is a federally protected marine area offshore of California’s central coast and part of NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary System. Stretching from Marin to Cambria, the MBNMS encompasses a shoreline length of 276 miles and 6,094 square miles of ocean. Supporting one of the world’s most productive and diverse marine ecosystems, it is home to a variety of marine mammals, seabirds, fishes, invertebrates and plants. The MBNMS was established for the purpose of protecting and preserving this vital area as well as ensuring its sustainable use, conducting and coordinating ongoing research, and offering educational opportunities to foster stewardship for this national treasure. For more information about the sanctuary, the Exploration Center and how to make a donation to support the capital campaign, visit http:/montereybay.noaa.gov/sec/welcome.html.