Get Hooked Fishing School
March 11
Fish on! Sign up now for the annual Get Hooked Fishing School hosted by the Aquarium. The popular one-day course on Saturday, March 11, features in-depth presentations by experienced anglers on many aspects of the sport, including topics such as inshore fishing for striper, drum, trout, mackerel and flounder, fly fishing, and offshore fishing. Additional demonstrations will feature fly-tying or instructions on helpful knots.
The school offers an opportunity to gather a lot of information in one day at one place. The action-packed event includes participation in up to six sessions of instruction, a catered lunch, giveaways and drawings for some great fishing gear. Agencies and businesses of interest to fishermen and boaters will be on hand.
Get Hooked is from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and all sessions are at the Aquarium. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. The fee is $60 per person; $54 for Aquarium members. Registration also is accepted by phone and at visitor services at the Aquarium. Get Hooked is sponsored by the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.
Suds for Sharks
shark conservation fundraiser
May 19 5:30-6pm
Raise a glass for sharks and celebrate this charismatic animal during Suds 4 Sharks, a shark conservation fundraiser 6-8 p.m. May 19 at Crystal Coast Brewing Company in Atlantic Beach. We’ll have a silent auction of shark-themed swag. We'll update you with speakers and more information. Part of our Party for the Planet Celebration!
CITY NATURE CHALLENGE
Celebrate Nature in this Global Bioblitz
April 29-May 2
Started in 2016 as a competition between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the City Nature Challenge (CNC) has grown into an international event, motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife in their cities. Run by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the CNC is an annual four-day global bioblitz at the end of April, where cities are in a collaboration-meets-friendly-competition to see what can be accomplished when we all work toward a common goal, and also which city can gather the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most people in the event.
Joining Team Coastal NC is a Snap!
1. Download the iNaturalist app & Create Account
2. Snap photos of wild plants & animals
3. Upload & share your observations
Download iNaturalist
Carnival to Combat Climate Change
April 29
Learning about climate change, how to mitigate its impacts, and ways to help the environment, shouldn't be scary. Youth Leaders at the Aquarium wanted to host an event that allowed teens, young adults, and other youth to discuss climate and environmental issues in an educational but fun way. Carnival to Combat Climate Change brings together youth and community leaders in conservation and science.
The FREE EVENT will be held outside in the Aquarium parking lot 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. April 29. Community leaders in science and conservation will be stationed at booths and ready to talk about climate change. Educators will be hosting fun activities throughout the day.
The event was made possible by a grant from NOAA in conjunction with Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center (CELC) Network.
Check back here for updates and a list of participants and activities.
Toddler Time
Wednesdays 9:30-10:15 a.m.
One Session Per Week, Max 15 children per session
Stories, crafts, songs, puppets, and animal encounters, oh, my! Enjoy a special morning with your young children during Toddler Time, most Wednesdays. We'll be holding only one session each Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. There is limited seating for each session (15 children per session) and the program is specially designed for children 18 months to 3 years of age. Toddler Time is super popular and fills quickly, so get here early!
Our activities feature a different animal each week! Learn about otters one week and amphibians the next. Some of the celebrity creatures include box turtles, hermit crabs, otters, sea turtles, lobsters, sea stars, and seashells. Toddler Time is free with admission or membership. The program runs every week until March. This program is very popular and fills up quickly, so be sure to arrive a few minutes before the start of the program. NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
The Aquarium’s indoor play area, “Imagination Bay,” is another fun space for active little ones to experience the Aquarium. Located near the Aquarium gift shop, there’s seating for adults and plenty of fun for little ones. Free with admission or membership. And, don't forget to let loose outside at the Tree-mendous Playground.
Toddler Time Dates and Themes:
Nov 2 - Box Turtle
Nov 9 - Snake
Nov 16 - Alligator
Nov 30 Sea Turtle
Dec 7 - Shark
Dec 14 - Pufferfish
Dec 21 - Stingray
Jan 4 - Sea Star
Jan 11 - Octopus
Jan 18 - Crabs
Jan 25 - NO TODDLER TIME TODAY
Feb 1 - Otter
Feb 8 - Dolphin
Feb 15 - Whale
Feb 22 - Beluga
March 1 - Eagle
March 8 - Owl
March 15 - Vulture
March 22 - Pelican
Advisory Committee Meeting
Nov. 9
The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Advisory Committee's next Advisory Committee Meeting is scheduled for November 9 from 1:00-3:00 pm at the Aquarium.