Otter Pride: Outside the Kelp Bed

Pacific Grove is full of beautiful homes, fantastic restaurants, gorgeous views, birds, snakes, and whales aplenty. Yes, snakes, birds, and whales. Located at the corner of Forest and Central Avenues in Pacific Grove is the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. It is easily identified by the large whale named “Sandy” outside. Walking through the doors, you are greeted by well mounted creatures and a new exhibit called “Green Seas, Blue Seas” that is a for sure don’t-miss. And for those of you who are pocketbook savvy, it´s technically free!

“Green Seas, Blue Seas” showcases the Fin art of Ray Troll. The artwork on display is actually pulled from a mural painted outside of Pacific Grove’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) building. The images are colorful, engaging, and scientifically accurate. They also help to celebrate the rich fishing culture that has found a home here in the Monterey area for the past 100 years. Be sure to catch it before its gone, January 29, 2012.

From their permanent collection, their mounted bird collection is an amazing testament to the museum´s desire to share the love of science and natural history with their community. Monterey is home to a variety of birds. The museum showcases 291 bird species and 409 life mounted birds. Their goal is to help residents and visitors to the Monterey Peninsula recognize the various species they’ve seen in the area. The bald eagle and the California condor are gorgeous and a must-see.

For this geology geek, they have various rocks and minerals on display, as well as a darkened room for fluorescent minerals. All rocks are labeled by their type as well as where they have been found, so you may be able to find them on your next hike. I know I’ll be taking a trek out to Big Sur to hunt down the Gneiss they have there. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Go to the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and check it out.

The museum is full of different creatures to learn about, from insects such as the Monarchs that overwinter in the area, to all shapes and forms of mollusk. They even have examples from a Giant Squid. There are artifacts from the native tribes of the Ohlone, Salinan, and Esselen. They give you a chance to peek into the lives of those who came before us, to see how they lived and thrived in this area.

In the back of the museum is their native plant garden. Representing three of the Monterey Peninsula’s local ecosystems (coastal scrub, chaparral and oak woodland), the garden is broken down into these areas and invites you to interact with it. A natural sculpture, called “Spirit Nest” by local artist Jayson Fann, invites you and three friends to crawl in and relax just to escape from the world outside for a little while. There is an amazing jade sculpture that you can´t miss.

Regular talks are held by experts on their topics, such as Leatherback turtles (on November 17) and Monarch Butterflies (on November 26). The museum is also the site of Sustainable Pacific Grove Action Meetings, who meet on the first Tuesday of every month, as well as the monthly meeting of the Monterey Audubon Society, who meet on the second Tuesday. Their website calendar has their upcoming events and lectures, so take a look and come on down. You may see something interesting, and learn something new while you’re at it.

Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $3 per person. They are also always looking for volunteers, which could be a great way for students to give back to an institution that gives so much to its community. Education and imagination, knowledge and inspiration. The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.