It's Great, it's Terrific, it's Grand

Charleston Marine Life Center Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening

May 21, 2016, 1pm

63466 Boat Basin Road, Oregon Institute of Marine Biology campus

The Oregon Institute of Marine Biology and the University of Oregon invite the public to the opening of the Charleston Marine Life Center (CMLC).  The celebration will begin with welcoming remarks, followed by a ribbon (in this case kelp) cutting and opening of the Charleston Marine Life Center doors.  The Center will remain open until 5pm and admission is free on opening day.

Located on the edge of the harbor in Charleston, OR, the Charleston Marine Life Center is an exciting place for discovery.  Aquaria highlighting different coastal ecosystems, a tidepool touch tank, whale and sea lion skeletons, underwater video from deep reefs and undersea volcanoes, and a variety of specimens reveal the hidden and remarkable diversity of life off Oregon, from the coast to the deep sea.  Five exhibit galleries focus on coastal ecosystems, deep-water habitats, fisheries, marine mammals, and ongoing marine biology research.  A covered open-air gallery and the CMLC windows provide spectacular views of the harbor, seals and sea lions, and fishing boats unloading their catch.

After the May 21^st opening, the Charleston Marine Life Center will be open to the public Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11am to 5pm.  Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and free for children and students.

The Marine Life Center is part of the University of Oregon’s Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB).  OIMB is a world-renowned research center, has held college courses in Charleston since 1924, and is designated by the federal government as a Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence.  Offering the only Marine Biology undergraduate degree in Oregon, OIMB has tens of thousands of alumni worldwide. The opening of the Charleston Marine Life Center expands the reach of the institute by providing high-quality marine education to the public and to K-12 students. 

The Charleston Marine Life Center was constructed with the generous support of numerous foundations, tribes, businesses and individuals.  A portion of the construction costs came from Coos County economic development funds.

OIMB CMLC: http://oimb.uoregon.edu/cmlc/

OIMB home page:  http://oimb.uoregon.edu/

CMLC Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/UOCMLC