Press Releases

Dr. Lubchenco speaking at CINMS/UCSB groundbreaking Jan 11, 2010. Click here for a larger image.

NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco and the University of California, Santa Barbara Chancellor Henry T. Yang broke ground today on the new 15,000-square foot Ocean Science Education Building on the east side of the UCSB campus. The project brings together the university's Marine Science Institute and NOAA's Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

The Ocean Science Education Building will consist of new Channel Islands sanctuary headquarter offices and the Outreach Center for Teaching Ocean Science, a state-of-the-art educational facility.

Dr. Lubchenco with students at touch tank exhibit, UCSB/CINMS groundbreaking ceremonies. Click here for a larger image.

"Channel Islands and NOAA's other national marine sanctuaries play a key role in educating the public about the importance of protecting and conserving the ocean," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "This new building underscores our 30-year partnership with the University of California Santa Barbara and our mutual commitment to marine education and community outreach."

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"We are thrilled that the dream of a new Ocean Science Education Building is becoming closer to a reality today," said UCSB Chancellor Henry T. Yang. "This is an exciting collaboration between the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, for housing its headquarters, and UC Santa Barbara, for housing our Outreach Center for Teaching Ocean Science. OCTOS will feature state-of-the-art interactive exhibits to help connect students, educators, community groups, and the public with innovative educational programs based on frontier research in ocean science. Our campus is delighted to provide the location for this building, and grateful to NOAA for its grants. We will continue to raise more funds from private donors and foundations for our outreach activities. We deeply appreciate the visionary leadership and support of Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congresswoman Lois Capps. I also would like to thank Director Dan Basta and his sanctuary colleagues, and Professor Steven Gaines and our MSI colleagues for their vision and hard work to make this collaboration possible."

In the first phase of the project, construction of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Offices will provide 7,500-square feet of administrative office and meeting space to house 24 NOAA staff members who currently work at Santa Barbara Harbor. Construction, which is underway, is expected to be completed in 2011. The sanctuary also has offices at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, Calif., which will remain open, and will also maintain a presence in the Santa Barbara Harbor offices.

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Construction of the project's second phase, the 7,500-square foot ocean outreach center, will be made possible with private funds being raised by the university and/or sponsorships. The center will be an education facility supported by the sanctuary and UC Santa Barbara's Marine Science Institute, engaging users in compelling, hands-on, standards-based programming on ocean science topics. It will provide interactive educational activities including live aquaria, wet lab, and immersive theater.

Designed by San Francisco-based EHDD Architecture, the Ocean Science Education Building will be built to the Gold Certification standards of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and meets precise requirements of sustainable design elements and practices. It will be built adjacent to the Marine Science Institute at UC Santa Barbara.

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UC Santa Barbara is a leading center for teaching and research, distinguished by its interdisciplinary programs and a commitment to innovation. The campus's Marine Science Institute ranks internationally as a leader in ocean and environmental research. Established in 1969 on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands, it provides a rich and unparalleled setting for interdisciplinary ocean research, innovative solutions to ocean challenges, and immersive educational experiences. UCSB's largest research unit, the Institute administers and supports research projects involving faculty members, researchers, technical staff, and students from 14 academic disciplines.

Managed by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary was designated in 1980 to protect marine resources surrounding San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa and Santa Barbara islands. The sanctuary spans approximately 1,470 square miles, extending from island shorelines to six miles offshore, and encompasses a rich diversity of marine life, habitats and historical and cultural resources.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.

On the Web:

Ocean Science Education Building information and rendering
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
University of California Santa Barbara Marine Science Institute