New Hours at the Estuarium Starting in 2002, the Estuarium will now have new operating hours. From March 1 to August 31, the facility will be open Mondays to Saturdays, 9AM to 6PM and Sundays 12 noon to 6PM. From September 1 to February 28/29, the hours will be Mondays to Saturdays, 9AM to 5PM and Sundays 1PM to 5PM. The staff of the Estuarium estabished these new hours to take advantage of the flow of visitors from school groups, snowbirds, vacationing tourists and others of the general public. Although we are open seven

days a week, we have established holidays when we will be closed:

* New Year’s Day
* Easter Sunday
* Thanksgiving Day
* Christmas Eve
* Christmas Day
* New Year’s Eve

We hope you will find this information useful in planning your next trip to our facility.A Peek at the New Exhibits
Here’s a peek at the newest exhibits at the Estuarium, including the microscope known as the ViewScope, the ExxonMobil sponsored natural gas panel on the Living Marsh Boardwalk, and our newest, the Ocean Drifter display.

We will soon introduce new displays and exhibits focusing on invertebrates, in conjunction with our partnership with the producers of the Shape of Life television program.

The Ocean Drifter allows scientists to gather data about currents

This panel in the Ladner Pavilion will explain just what those gas rigs are doing in Mobile Bay.

Reduced Rates for Renting the Estuarium
Tired of the same old, cavernous banquet halls to hold your special event? Your function will be the talk of the town when you hold it at the beautiful, colorful Estuarium. Instead of navigating between crowded tables, your guests can stroll during sunset on our Living Marsh Boardwalk. Provide instant topics of conversation with our beautiful aquaria surrounding your guests. Show your family or company video on our theater screen.

Docents Dick Bradley (second from left) and Selden Stephens (back to camera) explain how the touch table enhances learning to two Columbia students.

Now it’s even more economical to rent the Estuarium, as we have reduced our rental rate. Non-profit organizations can also receive a special rate. Parking is plentiful and free, and the entire facility is handicapped accessible. Make it an evening to remember. Visitors of note… Recently our friends from ExxonMobil escorted fifteen students from Columbia University’s Energy Policy Program to the Estuarium. These college students were delighted to receive a tour and learn about the local ecosystems; they were also pleased when their tour coincided with another one of kindergarten students from Daphne, AL. Just another example of how the Estuarium is a learning experience for all ages and learning levels.

Thank you, Coast Guard When the Mobile Bay tank had to be dismantled because of problems with the filter mat, crewmembers of the U.S. Coast Guard came to the rescue. Many thanks to BMCS Gordon Muise for sending us eager volunteers for this massive project. The volunteers included: BM2 Levi Denham, BM3 Jesse Peacock, BM3 Mike Burch, BM3 Billy McCloskey, BM3 John Bodiford, SN Veronica Smith, SN Mike Beety. Coming soon… With frequent visitors who come on foot from the ferry, the Estuarium has received many requests to open up a food booth. Although our cafeteria is open to the public on certain days, many times itis stretched to capacity with

Replacing the gravel on the bottom of the Bay tank is an enormous job, but it was made easier thanks to help from the Coast Guard.

students from our academic field trips. In response, theEstuarium is looking forward to opening a food stand on the grounds of the facility, where visitors can purchase a meal and enjoy it on the decks of the Estuarium. We hope to open it in a few months!