Fall 2019 Impact Report
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IMPACT REPORT Fall 2019 INSPIRING CONSERVATION OF OUR BLUE PLANET The Seacoast Science Center has been dedicated to advancing marine and environmental education and conservation since 1992. This Impact Report includes data from fiscal year 2018 and organizational highlights through Spring 2019. The Seacoast Science Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing educational experiences at Odiorne Point State Park on behalf of New Hampshire State Parks. 2 | 2019 Fall Impact Report CONTENTS About Us ............................. 2 Message from the Board ............. 4 Executive Letter ...................... 5 Mission & Vision ...................... 6 Core Values ........................... 7 A Community of Ocean Stewards ... 8 Our SSC Family ....................... 9 Strength Through Partnership ...... 10 Our Partners ......................... 11 Wildlife Conservation ............... 12 Your Support at Work ............... 13 Finances & Highlights ........... 14-15 Ocean Champions .............. 16-17 Our Supporters ...................... 18 Board of Directors & Staff ........... 19 Join Us ............................... 20 2019 Fall Impact Report | 3 FROM THE BOARD When people ask me what the Seacoast Science Center is all about my answer always comes in two parts: the what and the why. First, I explain the what: the Center is a respected community resource with a 27-year history of excellence in connecting people to the wonders of our coastal environment. It is a place where families, friends, and school children gather to experience our exceptional seaside location and learn more about the world around them. But, the Seacoast Science Center is much more than a place to visit for a morning or afternoon. We support the consensus of the scientific community that the earth’s climate is changing at an unprecedented rate that is detrimental to quality of life. That is why we are committed to advancing conservation of our Blue Planet in all that we do. It is our top priority to help people understand the implications of climate change and declining ocean health and kindle their desire to preserve and protect our natural resources. We also understand the power of collaboration and believe that is our responsibility to engage our community in conversations Allan Waterfield about rising ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, and marine debris. That is why we are dedicated CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS to fostering our relationships with non-profits in our region that share our conservation interests. That is why we are strengthening our partnerships with local, state, and federal governments. That is why we are expanding our connections with our colleagues in the marine sciences at places like the University of New Hampshire and Shoals Marine Lab. As we aspire to be a community anchor institution for New Hampshire, we believe that it is our role to reflect the insight of a diverse team of like-minded individuals and organizations in ways we can all benefit from the shared knowledge, shared resources, and a shared voice. Thank you for being on our team. Together, we can make a real difference. 4 | 2019 Fall Impact Report EXECUTIVE LETTER I recently had the pleasure of attending the Gulf of Maine 2050 Conference in Portland, Maine. There I saw in stark terms the challenges that lay ahead for those of us living along the coast in places where economy, environment, and culture are defined by the Ocean. As I listened, I thought about Seacoast Science Center’s role as an agent for change in light of the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead. How could our small institution best leverage our location, museum setting, and educational expertise to be the best change agent for New Hampshire? Then, as I sat there with 400 scientists, educators, and policy makers, it occurred to me. Collaboration. Through the power of collaboration, Seacoast Science Center can truly be an agent of change. SSC is often recognized as a place for children but it is our collaboration with other educators, learning scientists, museum professionals, and parents that really makes our programming valuable in the community. SSC’s knack for collaboration has helped to improve your experience at the Center and your experience within Odiorne Point State Park. In just the last few weeks, SSC has worked in meaningful Jim Chase ways with our friends and colleagues at the Shoals Marine Laboratory and the Center for Wildlife in York, ME. Further afield, we’ve engaged with the EcoTarium in Worcester, MA; the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, PRESIDENT NY; and the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, SC to name but a few. We’ve hosted the Governor and Executive Council, worked with members of NH’s Congressional delegation, and met with state legislators and local officials. We’ve chaired meetings for large regional education organizations and participated in roundtable workshops with Executive Directors from 13 museums from all over the northeast. We are, at our core, collaborators and conveners. Engaging with people of different perspectives and experiences is what SSC does best. It makes us smarter. It makes us more adaptable. And it positions us to be the best asset for New Hampshire that we can be. Education and conservation may be the touchstones of our mission but it is through collaboration that we can best spark curiosity, enhance understanding, inspire conservation and help advance the change that we would like to see in our world. Your Friend in Conservation, 2019 Fall Impact Report | 5 MISSION & VISION OUR MISSION To spark curiosity, enhance understanding, and inspire conservation of our Blue Planet. OUR VISION The Seacoast Science Center envisions a healthy World Ocean. 6 | 2019 Fall Impact Report CORE VALUES IT IS OUR PRIORITY to ensure that our core values are reflected in all of our educational programming, fundraising activities, and business practices. The Importance of Environmental Conservation and the World Ocean We believe that the World Ocean plays a prominent role in our daily lives—moderating our climate, providing sustenance and valuable resources, as a place of biodiversity and natural wonder, and as a critical cultural mainstay of Seacoast New Hampshire. We realize that we have an inherent responsibility to nurture and conserve our natural resources, advance ocean health, and preserve our deep cultural connections to coastal land, the coastal watershed, and the sea. The Inspiration of Locale We believe that Odiorne Point State Park plays an integral role in the Seacoast Science Center achieving its mission. We recognize that by engaging visitors, first-hand, ni the significant natural features and history of Odiorne Point State Park, we are able to facilitate learning, appreciation, and the understanding of the interconnectedness between land and sea. The Power of Personal Experiences We believe that personal experiences and engagement are fundamental to meaningful education and hold the key to conserving the World Ocean. Through education and the interpretation of Odiorne Point State Park, we can foster awareness, enhance environmental literacy, advance natural resource conservation ethics, and move people to action, thus facilitating change that will help to ensure a healthy, sustainable natural environment and World Ocean for future generations. Meaningful Relationships We believe that the Seacoast Science Center’s human resource is its most valuable asset. We value a diverse and inclusive community, and will model, promote, and implement this vision. The Spark of Innovation We believe that only through innovation can we consistently provide an engaging, contemporary visitor experience. By keeping our content current, we can do our part to prepare our students, visitors, and constituents to address present and future challenges to the health, abundance, and sustainability of the World Ocean. The Necessity of Sustainability We believe that the Seacoast Science Center must be an example in our community through what we teach, what we advocate for, and how we act as individuals and representatives of the institution. How we operate as an organization must represent a positive example of how to live in a manner that promotes environmental conservation and helps to sustain a healthy World Ocean. 2019 Fall Impact Report | 7 Zero Waste Events BUILDING A COMMUNITY SSC’s popular annual events bring individuals, families, and business members together to raise awareness of environmental conservation and OF OCEAN STEWARDS celebrate our World Ocean. In 2019, our sponsors and vendors joined us in committing to going Zero Waste, using only reusable, recyclable and Everyday, we connect people to the wonders of our natural world, helping them gain a deeper compostable materials. Our dedicated volunteers understanding of the interconnectedness between land and sea, and inspiring them to nurture and eagerly stepped up to help facilitate the initiative conserve our natural resources and World Ocean. and inspire event-goers to “go green.” Empowering young naturalists Families learning together Our preschool, camp, and school programs foster children’s natural Families learn about local and global ocean conservation issues curiosity about the world around them and empower them to think during fun evenings out with STEM community partners during our like young scientists and naturalists. Night at the Museum program series. Training future ocean champions Understanding challenges ANNUAL EVENTS April Rescue Run: Race for Marine Mammals June World Ocean Day Festival