Savior of the Seas: Greg Stone nominated as top Bostonian
The Boston Globe, December 21, 2008

Global Explorer Nominated as Top Bostonian

Every year, The Boston Globe Magazine allows readers to nominate and vote on the Bostonian of the Year. This year, we are thrilled that the Aquarium's vice president of global marine programs, Dr. Gregory Stone, is one of the top seven finalists for the title! Greg's recognition is based on his work helping to create--and then double in size!--the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, the largest marine protected area in the world. Greg has dedicated his life to protecting the oceans, and we encourage all of you to vote for him for the honor of Bostonian of the Year.

See Greg's page on Boston.com.

Vote for Greg.

Watch Paradise Protected, a documentary on the Phoenix Islands Protected Area.

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Happy Holidays!

Spend a day with your loved ones at the Aquarium during the holidays for an experience you'll never forget. We set our holiday hours to maximize visitors' enjoyment time! The Aquarium is closed on December 25 but will be open until 4 p.m. on December 23, until 3 p.m. on December 24 and from 12 pm. until 6 p.m. on New Years Day. On all other days, hours run from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

We expect the Aquarium to be a very popular place for families this holiday season. We encourage all guests, especially those who want to avoid crowds, to schedule their visits either in the morning (before 11 a.m.) or in the late afternoon (after 3 p.m.). If you do encounter a long line, though, don't worry! We'll have hot cocoa and coffee in a warm tent on our front plaza to keep everybody toasty, and our educators will keep even the most antsy children entertained.

Plan your visit.

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Turtles Uncovered: Get Beneath the Shell

This winter, the Aquarium is your gateway into the world of turtles! Plan your visit today and come walk the turtle trail featuring six stops around the Aquarium with live turtles. Learn turtle facts and stamp your turtle passport. Visitors can also see live animal presentations and visit the Aquarium Medical Center to learn how the Aquarium rehabilitates sick and wounded turtles.

Learn more about turtles:

Sea Turtle Rescue at the New England Aquarium

Turtle Rescue Blog

Annual Sea Turtle Exams

Sea Turtle Training

Online Game: Saving Sea Turtles

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Give the Gift of the Aquarium

With a few days of shopping left, keep the Aquarium in mind for eco-friendly presents, stocking stuffers, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Our Gift Shop is open every day (and available online!), so venture down to Central Wharf for cuddly plush animals, educational games and toys, books and DVDs for all ages, Earth-friendly organic clothing and much more!

Give a friend or family member a gift membership, and your present will bring them joy long after other gifts have been forgotten. A gift membership provides all the benefits of membership for an entire year, including unlimited, express admission, discounts on all Aquarium programs, and invitations to exclusive members-only events.

A gift membership is more than a present--it's a year of family bonding, entertainment and education.

Give a Proud Parent animal sponsorship to the ocean protector in your life, and the contribution will help us feed and care for the animal of your choice. The tax-deductible donation can help us support one of our amazing animals. Or, help protect one of the most critically endangered large whales on Earth through our North Atlantic Right Whale Sponsorship Program. There are fewer than 400 of these magnificent animals alive today, and our Right Whale Research Program is working frantically to help save them. Your sponsorship will directly support the yearly costs of research to protect these species.

Celebrate First Night 2009 with the Aquarium for some quality fish, fun and family bonding. The First Night Family Art program combines science and art as the children use their observations of marine mammals to construct elaborate puppets and costumes. With help from our educators, Aquarium First Night participants will construct their creations during the Create-a-Creature workshops on December 28 or 30. Then, the children (and their chaperones) will share the wonder of their aquatic creatures with thousands of viewers as they march with the Aquarium in the First Night Grand Procession.

If you and your family would like to join us for the workshop and procession, please call 617-973-5206. This event is recommended for families with children ages 4-13. Parent supervision and participation is required.

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Discover Camp

Keep your kids entertained, educated and energized next summer by enrolling them in the Aquarium's Harbor Discoveries Camp program. The one- to two-week long camps each focus on different aspects of marine life, and combine hands-on encounters with amazing animals, immersion into marine conservation and behind-the-scenes peeks at life at the Aquarium.

Camps are divided by grade level. The week-long camps meet Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.--perfect times for commuting parent--and then campers leave on an overnight trip from Thursday morning until Friday afternoon. Two-week-long advanced programs follow the same schedule for the first week, and then campers spend the remainder of camp on a week-long adventure.

Camp registration opens to members January 5, nearly a month before the general public can sign up on February 2. Programs often completely sell out within a few weeks, so act quickly.

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Spotlight on Research

Photo/Jonathan Cunha, New England Aquarium

Right whale researchers have left the cold Bay of Fundy waters for the warm Florida skies! As the whales make their yearly migration to the warmer waters of Florida and Georgia for the calving season, our researchers watch for them from the sky in a Cessna Skymaster twin-engine plane. This is all a part of the Southeast Early Warning Survey. The EWS consists of three survey teams from Wildlife Trust, Florida Conservation Commission and, of course, the New England Aquarium. They work together each with their area to cover of the southeastern United States to photograph and report the endangered whales and warn ships that the whales are in the area to help reduce the risk of ship strikes.



For more information, to learn about our team and see photos and results as they happen, visit our blog.

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Take a Moment

Please consider making a year-end charitable contribution to the New England Aquarium.

The Aquarium relies on our members to contribute more than 30% of our operating budget. These funds support the educational, conservation and research programs that make the New England Aquarium a leader both locally and globally. We need your support now more than ever. Gifts of any size make a difference!

Please make a year-end donation online today!

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Turtles Uncovered

Coming in December!

Turtles have been around for more than 300 million years. Today, though, they are threatened by habitat destruction, pollution, global climate change and by humans collecting them as pets and for food and medicine. Learn how to help save these amazing creatures as you follow the Turtle Trail around the Aquarium. Stamp your turtle passport, get up-close through Live Animal Presentations, and come face-to-face with many different species of turtles, including some of the most endangered sea turtles in the world.

Included with Aquarium admission.

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Please Turn ON Your Cell Phones

The next time you visit the Aquarium, bring your cell phones, MP3 players and iPods for entertaining behind-the-scenes glimpses into the lives of Aquarium staff and our many beloved creatures.

Called NEAq Insider, this new audio-visual tour shows interviews of Aquarium staff as they work with penguins, octopus, seals and many more of the Aquarium's popular residents. You'll learn fresh and unusual information about marine animals, the staff that care for them, and the Aquarium's conservation work.

The full video tour can be downloaded to a mobile device at home or in the classroom prior to an Aquarium visit. The audio tour is accessible at the Aquarium via dial-in phone numbers posted at each featured exhibit. Become an NEAq Insider today!

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This Ring Still Shines

A New England Aquarium diver performed the aquatic version of finding a needle in a haystack by finding a lost wedding ring in the Aquarium's four-story, 200,000-gallon Giant Ocean Tank more than three months after it was lost.

In early July, guest-diver Bob Pirrmann lost his wedding ring while petting a 560-pound sea turtle named Myrtle. He assumed his ring was lost forever. Aquarium assistant curator Dan Laughlin notified the Aquarium's divers about the missing gold band and hoped it might be found during routine cleaning. Three months passed, though, and Bob even purchased another ring.

A few weeks ago, diver Mike Whyte was vacuuming food debris from several inches of sand near the bottom of the tank when he noticed an unusual shape. In the ultimate aquatic irony, the cherished ring was found nestled safely among the exhibit's finger corals!

Read the complete story.

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Great in 08; Divine in 09

The Celebrate Seafood Dinner Series was such a hit this year that the remaining dinners have completely sold out! Each dinner features a delicious three-course meal of sustainable seafood paired with wine and informative and fun cooking demonstrations by Aquarium and special guest chefs. If you missed your chance to attend one of the events, or if you enjoyed the experience so much, you want to attend one again, don't worry. The 2009 dates have been set, so mark your calendars and sign up after the New Year for the delicious, informative and gourmet evenings.

Tuesday, January 27

Tuesday, April 21

Tuesday, June 23

Tuesday, August 18

Tuesday, October 6

Tuesday, November 10

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Blue Lifestyle Tips

This winter, skyrocketing fuel costs paired with the economic crisis could leave many families out in the cold--literally. A recent report estimated that Massachusetts residents will pay nearly 30 percent more to heat their homes this year than last. Energy-efficient homes are beneficial for the environment, so each month, Seabits will include new, easy ways to reduce your heating bills. When the cost of utilities has you seeing red, use these tips to save some green by living blue.

Avoid the fireplace.

One of the least efficient methods of heating your home, a fireplace acts as a vacuum, sucking the warm, already heated air out of your house while drawing in cold air from outside. Minimize the heat loss by turning down the heat in the rest of your home, closing any doors that lead into the room and cracking open the window nearest to the fireplace.

Work interior decorating to your advantage.

Arrange furniture away from baseboards and radiators so heat can flow freely. Replace standard curtains with tight-sealing or quilted window coverings, and make sure no curtains or linens obstruct heat sources. Keep curtains and blinds closed snugly at night, but open them during the day to let the heat of the sun warm your home, and clean south-facing windows regularly to allow maximum sunshine.

Want more blue lifestyle tips? Missed last month's ideas? E-mail seabits@neaq.org.

As the holiday shopping season gains speed, keep the Aquarium in mind for eco-friendly presents, stocking stuffers and hostess gifts. Our Gift Shop is open every day (and available online!), so venture down to Central Wharf for

• Plush sharks, seals, turtles and penguins


• Educational games and toys


• Books and DVDs for all ages


• Earth-friendly organic cotton tees and other clothing


• And much more!

And check out our membership packages to give someone the gift of the Aquarium that lasts a full year!

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Exclusive Opportunities for Aquarium Members

Members, make sure to take advantage of the

Members' Holiday Shopping Night

Tuesday, December 2, 5:30-8 p.m.

This members-only event is free. Please RSVP by November 26 online.

Round up some friends and head to the Aquarium for a night of private shopping with deep discounts! Receive 20% off almost everything in the store. Also enjoy light refreshments, free gift-wrapping, personal shopping assistance, raffle prizes and crowd-free shopping.

Aquarium exhibits will not be open for this event.

Also, check out the online photos of our most recent members-only event, Fish, Fun and Fright! The event was a great success, in no small part due to the fantastic costumes of our creative members!

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Lost ring found on finger coral
The Boston Globe, October 23, 2008

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Now Playing! Wild Ocean 3D

Wild Ocean 3D is an explosive, symphonic film that captures one of the natural world's greatest spectacles. Each year, a massive feeding frenzy takes place off South Africa as billions of fish migrate up the KwaZulu-Natal Wild Coast. Breaching whales, frenzied sharks, herding dolphins and diving gannets compete in an epic underwater struggle for survival. While the migration has provided a food source for both life in the sea and the people living along the African shores, global warming trends and overfishing have threatened this great migration's existence. Get submerged in this incredible flurry of oceanic activity at the Simons IMAX Theatre, then visit the Aquarium to learn how you can help reduce the threats facing the ocean.

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Celebrate Halloween at the Aquarium

Fish, Fun & Fright

Exclusively for New England Aquarium members

October 24, 6-9 p.m.

This aquatic Halloween party features treats, creatures from the deep and special holiday surprises! A light meal, soft drinks and kids' goodie bags are included in the ticket price. Costumes are strongly encouraged! Reservations are required; click here to reserve your space online. Not a yet member? Join today to access all the privileges of membership! Members may bring non-members as guests.

Joker's Wild Halloween Party

October 30, 7-11 p.m.

Why so serious? Put on your best Joker face and join in on the fun at the Simons IMAX Theatre on Thursday, October 30 for a pre-Halloween bash and screening of the superhero hit The Dark Knight. The party kicks off with spine-tingling tunes and prizes from WBOS 92.9 FM. Enjoy food, a costume contest, a loaded "trick or treat" bag and a cash bar, then experience Batman's battle against the menacing Joker.

Tickets to the event, which include the party and the film, are $12.95--or $6.50 for guests in costume! (Costume discount applies to 8:45 p.m. showing only.) Tickets must be purchased in person at the IMAX box office on October 30, or online tickets can be purchased in advance at regular price. The Dark Knight is rated PG-13.

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Live the Blue Lifestyle

Not-so-fun fact: The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 75 percent of our waste is recyclable--yet, despite ambitious recycling programs in many communities, most of it still ends up in the trash.

Don't let confusion about where, how or what to recycle stop you from living blue. Earth911.org offers vast resources on the basics of recycling, including how to dispose of tricky objects like electronics, batteries or paint, where to drop off recycling if your community doesn't offer curbside pickup, and how to get started by sorting your trash. Many states and towns have websites with their own recycling policies, as well. (Massachusetts residents, check out massrecycle.org.) Every little bit helps!

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Spotlight on Research

By Amanda Thompson, Lab Manager

The Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) project is a five-year study to assess the biological impacts around the deep-sea ports that allow boats to transfer liquid natural gas. The project has been in full swing this past month, and researches have been out collecting data on the research vessel Galatea in Massachusetts Bay.

Researchers have placed an acoustic tag on a spiny dogfish, a species local to the area, to gather data on the abundance, distribution and behavior of the fish in response to the LNG ports.

A researcher places an acoustic pop-up on the seafloor near the LNG ports to gather sound data that can be retrieved later.

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Aquarium Lectures are free and open to the public but require registration. Programs start at 7 p.m. in the Aquarium's Harborside Learning Lab, unless otherwise noted. They last approximately one hour, and a reception follows.

October 23
Midway Atoll and the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument
Wayne Sentman, biologist and field naturalist, Oceanic Society


October 27
Vernal Pool Conservation
Dr. Aram Calhoun, Associate Professor, University of Maine


November 10
Journey With a National Geographic Photographer
Brian Skerry, National Geographic photographer and New England Aquarium Overseer


November 20
Using Technology to Help Protect the North Atlantic Right Whale
Kerry Lagueux, Associate Scientist, New England Aquarium

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Dive In!
Register now for these educational programs to introduce your child to the world of water and its inhabitants.

Toddler Explorers: Ocean Motion
Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.: November 11, 18, December 2, 9
Fridays at 11 a.m.: November 14, 21, December 5, 12

Preschool Explorers: Ocean Motion
Tuesdays at 11 a.m.: November 11, 18, December 2, 9
Fridays at 9:30 a.m.: November 14, 21, December 5, 12

Ocean Detectives Squid Dissection
October 19 at 2 p.m. for 7- to 13-year-olds

Ocean Detectives Saturday Exploration
Sea Turtles: November 8, 2 p.m. for 5- to 10-year-olds

Family Sleepover
November 8 at 7 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of fun and fishy activities in the Aquarium's Harborside Learning Lab, and then sleep over in the Aquarium's West Wing. The next morning, see the Aquarium before it opens to the public.

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Right Whales On the brink, On the rebound
National Geographic, October 2008

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Expedition to the Sea of Cortez

A serious scientific expedition of the ocean will also have an unusual and poignant literary twist. In mid-September, Aquarium Vice President of Global Marine Programs Dr. Greg Stone will lead an expedition to investigate the underwater mountains of the Sea of Cortez off the Mexican coast. Joining the trip's oceanographers, submarine operators, underwater photographers and technical staff will be Wendy Benchley, the widow of the late writer Peter Benchley.

In the early 1980s, Peter wrote The Girl of the Sea of Cortez, the lyrical tale of a young woman who has a special love and unique understanding of the ocean. Expedition leader Greg Stone, a close friend of the author for decades, remembers Peter's return from a trip to the Sea of Cortez. "Peter was so enthused about what he had seen. The marine life was overwhelming. He had even hitched a ride on a giant manta ray. The entire experience became the basis for The Girl of the Sea of Cortez. It was his favorite of all the books that he had written."A quarter-century later, Greg invited Peter's widow, Wendy, to join an expedition to the site of her husband's inspiration. Since Peter's death, Wendy has been furthering her husband's legacy as an ardent ocean conservationist.

Much of the Sea of Cortez is remote and rich with marine life. Pacific gray whales use it as a winter nursery for their calves, and hammerhead sharks gather there in huge numbers. From September 11 to 17, the expedition will explore and document the rich diversity of marine life of the El Bajo Seamount. Ecologically vital habitats, seamounts can be oases of rich, unique and complex marine life. They have not been extensively studied and are threatened by human exploitation. The expedition team will use a small research submarine to investigate the deep-water life along the steep sides of these underwater mountains. Divers will also closely examine the seamount's summit, which rises to just 60 feet below the water's surface.

Join the expedition by reading the team's daily blog, and take a voyage to the hauntingly beautiful Sea of Cortez.

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See You In September

Summer is almost officially over, but that doesn't mean activity at the Aquarium will be cooling off! We'd like to thank all who came to check out Sharks and Rays and made it such a success. A record-breaking number of visitors experienced these fascinating animals up-close and learned why they do not deserve their fearsome reputations. The touch tank has closed, but you can still come face-to-face with sharks and rays as they swim around our Giant Ocean Tank.

Visitors will see--and hear--another major change occurring on our plaza. Construction for the New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center is well underway on the Harbor Terrace. As a result, our fur seals are currently enjoying a vacation at the New York Aquarium, but don't worry--they will be back when the center opens next summer.

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David B. Stone Award

Every year, the New England Aquarium presents the David B. Stone Award to individuals or organizations to recognize distinguished service on behalf of the oceans. The award was established in 1970 in honor of the New England Aquarium's principal founder, David B. Stone. This year, the Aquarium is pleased to present the award to His Excellency, President Anote Tong of Kiribati in recognition of his commitment to conservation and his leadership in establishing the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA). President Tong has given voice to the particular challenges facing small island states, as rising sea levels threaten their very existence. In March of 2006, the Kiribati government--in collaboration with the New England Aquarium and Conservation International--officially established the PIPA. Today, it is the world's largest marine protected area and includes critical ocean habitats, containing some species found nowhere else in the world.

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Spotlight on Research

By Amanda Thompson, Lab Manager

At 120,000 pounds, North Atlantic right whale Phoenix is quickly becoming one of the biggest celebrities around! Recently, researchers at the Aquarium finished consulting on a project to create an exact model of Phoenix for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History's new Sant Ocean Hall. The Phoenix model will be the focal point of the exhibit--a full-size, 45-foot replica that will hang from the center of the hall.



Phoenix was chosen not just because Aquarium researchers here have tracked her since she was a calf and have extensive knowledge of her family tree, but also because she is an excellent example of the dangers right whales face. In 1997, Phoenix became seriously--almost fatally--entangled in gill net fishing gear. It took her almost two years to recover. To make her story even more tragic, her mother Stumpy was killed in the winter of 2004 from a ship strike in the waters off Virginia.


The Smithsonian's model will clearly show all of Phoenix's scars caused by the entanglement, including a very distinctive lip scar, which serves as a permanent reminder of her ordeal.



Learn more about how the Aquarium's research team works to save right whales, then meet Phoenix (#1705) and her mother Stumpy (#1004) through the North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog.

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Save Green, Live Blue

When you waste water, you waste blue and green. These tips will keep your household water-efficient, saving you money on water and energy bills and helping you live the blue lifestyle! For more information, visit the Mass. Water Resource Authority online.

1. Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth, shave, wash your face or scrub dishes.

2. Reduce the water volume of each toilet flush by placing a water-filled plastic bottle weighted with gravel in the tank. (Be sure not to interfere with the flushing mechanism.)

3. Low-flow faucet aerators mix air with tap water to efficiently reduce water flow by half.

4. Water efficient showerheads dramatically decrease the gallons used per minute without sacrificing the benefits of a satisfying shower.

5. High-efficiency washers use less water, expend less energy to heat the water, require less energy and time to dry your clothes, and create less wear and tear on your garments.

Source: Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, "How Does A Tub of Bubbles Save You Water?"

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Don't Miss These Upcoming Events

State-Wide Beach Clean-Ups

Annual beach clean-ups around Massachusetts begin September 20. These events help your local beaches and marine life and are a great and meaningful way to drive home the importance of living the blue lifestyle. Find a beach clean-up near you.

Help Celebrate the Inauguration of the Greenway!

October 4

Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston waterfront

Join the Aquarium to help celebrate the opening of the Greenway and the opportunity to reconnect to the city. Meet up with a friend, bump into a neighbor, and enjoy concerts by favorite local bands, free dance lessons and more. Call it a meet and greet, a get together, a reunion--doesn't matter. The Rose Kennedy Greenway is now open and ready to bring Boston back together.

Family Field Trip: Ponkapoag Bog Hike

October 11, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Blue Hills Reservation, Canton

After a short hike, we will investigate the carnivorous plants, reptiles and amphibians that make their homes in this quaking bog.

Gallery Behind-the-Scenes Tour

September 21

October 19

Get an inside view of what it takes to care for our animals and exhibits. Learn how we feed the animals, how we keep the exhibits clean and how we make sure our animals are healthy.

Save the Date: Climate Change Symposium
February 5, 2009

Along with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Aquarium will host a climate change symposium next February. The purpose of the symposium is to bring business leaders, policy makers and non-governmental organizations together to examine the impacts of climate change and acidification on the marine environment. The symposium is by invitation only. Please contact Vickie Cataldo at vcataldo@neaq.org or 617-973-0235 if you or your organization is interested in attending.

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Victory At Sea
The Smithsonian Magazine, September 2008

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Paint the Town Blue: Stay-cation at the Aquarium
By Jordan Burns

With gas prices at all-time highs, the word on everybody's lips is "stay-cation." There are still a few weeks left of summer, so stay the day at the Aquarium. Before Sharks and Rays: Explore Their World swims away September 1, learn the truth about these amazing animals' undeserved reputations, and feel them glide under your fingers at the sharks and rays touch tank. Don't miss your chance meet our temporary summer guest, Baranov, the 500-pound fur seal, before he returns home to Mystic, CT. We also have four new additions to the little blue penguin exhibit, including Lion, the little guy who became a national celebrity for his human surrogate mothers.

While you have the whole family here, save money and time with a family membership. Along with free Aquarium admission, membership offers discounts on IMAX and Whale Watch tickets, purchases at the gift shop, and validated parking rates. And the best part about a family membership? Express entry lets you avoid the lines! Additionally, all Aquarium visitors can stretch their food budgets. Bring your Simons IMAX Theatre ticket stub to Sel de la Terre or Cheers Faneuil Hall the same day you see a film to receive 15 percent off your total bill.

Save even more money on your stay-cation and take advantage of public transportation by parking outside the city and taking the train or MBTA. While you're downtown, check out other fun and inexpensive attractions, including the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, the historic North End, the beautiful Public Garden, and the Charles River Esplanade.

To paraphrase the Go-Gos, "Stay-cation, all I ever wanted!"

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Maria DeMaio at The Reef

August 16, 4-7 p.m.

Singer Maria DeMaio will rock The Reef at the Aquarium in a special outdoor performance. DeMaio has been winning over audiences all over Boston with her refreshing songwriting and a powerhouse voice that has been called both "soulful" and "quietly scintillating." She combines her profoundly emotional delivery with intensely personal songwriting that is steeped in intent and sincerity. With songs that are as catchy as they are clever, Maria demonstrates that pop can break free of its cookie cutter roots.

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Spotlight on Research

By Amanda Thompson, Lab Manager

The Aquarium's Right Whale Research Team has just moved to Lubec, Maine to begin their 29th annual Bay of Fundy field season, which lasts from early August through September. This year, the research is made possible by generous grants from five supporters, including Irving Oil, the Island Foundation, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Royal Caribbean Ocean Fund and a grant to the team's partners at Canadian Whale Institute from World Wildlife Fund/Environment Canada.

Every summer, North Atlantic right whales migrate to the Bay of Fundy to feed in the plankton-rich waters, nurse their young and socialize. Every day that the fickle weather permits, the researchers go out to the Grand Manan Basin in the lower Bay of Fundy on their 29-foot long research vessel, Nereid, to take digital photographs of the whales. They spend the bad weather days matching these photographs to whales in the North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog. They also collect small skin samples for ongoing genetic analyses, to develop knowledge about the right whale family tree.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Canada has used the team's data to help protect right whales. It designated a right whale conservation area in 1993 and proposed a critical habitat in the Right Whale Recovery Strategy. Additionally, Transport Canada used the data to relocate shipping lanes to reduce the risk of ship strikes. To learn more about this field season as it happens and see photos and videos, visit the Right Whale Research Team's blog. Check back frequently for updates!

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Save Green, Live Blue

New England is in the midst of one of the rainiest Augusts on record. A barrel or other large container placed strategically under a downspout will provide (free!) water for gardening, lawn maintenance and car washes, and help you conserve precious natural resources.

According to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, mesh fabric or several drops of baby oil on the surface of the water will prevent mosquitoes from breeding. They also note that rain barrels are particularly useful when placed next to plants or beds that need moist soil. The MWRA's website has additional eco-friendly lawn and gardening tips.

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Dive In!

Register now for these educational programs to introduce your child to the world of water and its inhabitants.

Toddler Explorers: Ocean Opposites

Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.: September 16, 23, 30, October 7

Fridays at 11 a.m.: September 19, 26, October 3, 10

Preschool Explorers: Ocean Opposites

Tuesdays at 11 a.m.: September 16, 23, 30, October 7

Fridays at 9:30 a.m.: September 19, 26, October 3, 10

Little Fishes Play Group

Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.: September 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22

Ocean Detectives Saturday Exploration

Jellies: August 16, 2 p.m. for 5- to 10-year olds

Sharks: September 13, 10 a.m. for 5- to 7- year-olds and 2 p.m. for 8- to 10-year-olds

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Is This Heaven? No, It's Boston

Today at 8:10 p.m.

Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy might not have plowed over his backyard to build a diamond for a bunch of ghosts, but he does know his baseball. Join him for the final home run of the Aquarium's Grand Slam movie series at the Aquarium's Simons IMAX Theatre. Shaughnessy will introduce Field of Dreams, the evening's baseball classic, and chat with the audience about all things baseball, from insider tidbits to whether Fenway Park will once again be Boston's field of dreams. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids (3-11), members and anyone who has a snack or a drink at The Reef before the movie.

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