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This year marks Susan’s 25th year as a Seattle Aquarium board member, and we’re proud to honor her with the Scott S. Patrick Inspirational Award. Named for the late Aquarium board member and Seattle Seahawks executive who served with extraordinary passion, the Scott S. Patrick award annually recognizes the Seattle Aquarium board member whose service best exemplifies the passion, leadership and enthusiasm that characterized Scott Patrick’s life and board service. 

Coral reefs are subject to marine heatwaves caused by human-induced climate change. Long-term thermal stress can negatively affect corals and the associated marine organisms that use these areas as critical habitat by causing coral bleaching. Coral reefs provide important ecosystem goods and services such as fisheries and tourism as well as aesthetic and cultural value. 

The northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) is one of 34 species of the group of carnivorous mammals with front and rear flippers, called pinnipeds (fin footed). Northern fur seals are known for their extremely dense fur, with about 300,000 hairs per square inch (second only to sea otters) and the largest sexual dimorphism, or size difference, of any marine mammal. Females can weigh up to around 100 pounds, and males can weigh up to 600 pounds!

On Monday, May 17, Governor Jay Inslee came to the Seattle Aquarium to sign a new law (SB5022) that will reduce plastic pollution and improve recycling in Washington. The Aquarium worked closely with partners to help pass the bill, which helps protect the health of our ocean by cutting back on harmful and unnecessary single-use plastics.

The 2021 legislative session looked different this year due to COVID-19. All legislative committees and votes were held virtually, and the capitol campus was closed to the public. Even with the switch to remote advocacy, the Seattle Aquarium was able to successfully advocate for science-based measures to protect our marine environment. Join us as we take a look back at some highlights from this session.

Fossil fuels pose a huge risk to the health of our oceans. When we burn fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas, more carbon dioxide goes into the atmosphere. As the ocean absorbs some of these emissions, the chemistry of the seawater changes.

Have you ever wondered what young corals look like and how they grow? Book a visit to the Aquarium to see some “baby” corals, learn more about these fascinating animals (yes, they’re animals—not plants!) and discover why coral reefs are critically important to the health of the marine environment. 

“You’re so lucky when you can make your passion your vocation,” says Jeff Christiansen, who retired on March 12 after a career at the Seattle Aquarium that began nearly 40 years ago. Jeff’s passion? Scuba diving. “It’s the closest you can get to another world without going into space,” he says.

After a career in animal care that started when she was still in college, spanned 40 years and was capped off by 16 years and countless hours tending to and training the animals that make their homes with us here at the Seattle Aquarium, Curator of Birds & Mammals Traci Belting retired on March 4. 

“Our communities are what shapes our lives and to know that the Seattle Aquarium is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone, no matter their ability, is included in their community is amazing.”
—Uma Srivastava, COO, KultureCity®
 

“I fell in love with nature and natural history. From that point on my path was clear,” says Dr. James Estes, recipient of the 2021 Seattle Aquarium Conservation Award. 

A world-renowned marine ecologist and professor emeritus at the University of California Santa Cruz (retired in 2018), Dr. Estes is best known for his work on kelp forest ecosystem structure and function—particularly how it relates to sea otters as a keystone species. His career spanned over 40 years, including working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. During that time, he also mentored 30+ graduate students and published more than 180 papers.

“Conservation is a big puzzle, and my job demands that I am an ambassador both for the natural world and my fellow conservationists.”
—Cristina Mittermeier

In recognition of her three decades of courageous journalism, and making the pictures that tell the story of our planet, we are honored to present Cristina Mittermeier with this year’s Seattle Aquarium Sylvia Earle Medal.