University of Oregon employees and families looking for an Oregon Coast getaway will find a boatload of activities May 9 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Charleston Marine Life Center.
The free public day is open to all. Visitors get free entrance to the center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Want to see an octopus? Learn how to speak whale? Exploration challenges will engage budding marine biologists and families alike.
Boat tours take place at Charleston Marina’s B Dock from noon to 4 p.m.
- R/V Megalopa — UO’s research vessel and floating classroom.
- The Western Flyer — the historic fishing vessel, which carried John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts on their famous 1940 expedition to the Gulf of California, inspiring Steinbeck's book The Log from the Sea of Cortez.
A megalopa is the juvenile stage of a crab and you might see one of those too.
“We are very excited to celebrate 10 years of helping visitors and students of all ages discover the wonders of marine life along the Oregon Coast and are grateful for the passion and dedication of our volunteers, interns, UO students, faculty, staff, and community partners and supporters. We invite all who enjoy exploring and learning about marine life to celebrate with us on May 9,” said Director Trish Mace.
The center is the public outreach arm of the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, which celebrated 100 years in 2024.
—Jennifer Archer, University Communications
—Top photo, Megalopa, Thomas Boyd; inset photos, Trish Mace