For one special night, Saturday, February 7th from 7:00 to 11:00, the Oklahoma Aquarium is transformed to reflect the spirit of New Orleans. The 6th Annual Mardi Gras Gala is presented by McGraw Realtors, and Joe and Carol McGraw will be honored as the Mardi Gras King and Queen. Other major sponsors to date include BancFirst, Creek Nation Casino, Tulsa Technology Center, QuikTrip and KRMG. Mardi Gras is the single, largest fundraising event for continued improvements and expansion of Oklahoma Aquarium exhibits and educational programs. The Aquarium draws about 1/3 of its visitors from outside of Oklahoma, so in a down economy, it is even more critical to enhance tourist destinations to continue drawing visitors and dollars from across state lines. It is also to the Tulsa metro area’s benefit, to continue improving the Aquarium for the educational value to thousands of school children annually, and for quality family entertainment.
Mardi Gras features music on two stages, food from more than a dozen of Tulsa’s finest restaurants, plenty of festive beverages, a just-for-fun casino, a silent auction, and new this year, a live auction with such exciting packages as the use of a private box at the BOk Center, original artwork, the use of a condo in Hawaii and some Aquarium surprises. Individual tickets are $150 per couple, with a $10 discount for Aquarium members. Table sponsorships are available beginning at $1,500. Sponsors from the $2,500 level and up are invited to attend the Patron Party from 6:00 to 7:00, which will include behind-the-scenes tours. For tickets, contact Janis Davis, (918) 528-1555, jdavis@okaquarium.org. For table sponsorships, contact Teri Bowers, (918) 528-1501, tbowers@okaquarium.org. Funds raised from previous Mardi Gras events have most recently been used toward the Hayes Family Ozark Stream which was opened just last March, but has already realized successful breeding between the North American River Otter pair in the exhibit. An otter pup was born this past September and is now frolicking and swimming with its parents to the delight of Aquarium guests. One of the largest projects still ahead for the Aquarium is construction of a Sea Turtle exhibit. One third of the $1.5 million has been secured, and the Aquarium is already in possession of two magnificent 200 pound Loggerhead Sea Turtles, deemed unreleasable through a conservation program.
Oklahoma Aquarium to Host Scouts, Students and Volunteers
January 13, 2009
It may be cold outside, but the Oklahoma Aquarium is boiling over with activity. For the first time ever, the Aquarium is hosting sleepovers exclusively for Girl Scouts. Overnights Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th are dedicated to scouts who’ve signed up through the organization’s central office. Originally slated for just one night, the response was so overwhelming, Aquarium management extended the educational slumber party to three nights. Most schools are not in session Monday 19th for the Martin Luther King, Junior holiday, so the event will not affect class attendance. The next public opportunity to “Sleep With The Sharks”, is March 6th.
Because school is out for MLK Day, the Aquarium is hosting a day camp for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. Aquarium SeaCamps are offered on several school holidays, providing working parents with a convenient educational opportunity for their kids. Camp is held from 9:00 to 4:00, with extended care available from 8:30 to 5:00. Sign up by logging onto www.okaquarium.org and click on Education, or call the Education Department, (918) 528-1508.
The Aquarium is looking for a few helping “fins”. Volunteer training is set for January 24th – 28th. Aquarium volunteers help with all aspects of daily operation from greeting guests at the information desk to interacting with visitors at touch tanks or other exhibits. Some volunteers assist with the care and feeding of our animals while others lead educational programs. Aquarium volunteers are asked to commit to a weekly, four hour shift. Volunteers are also needed on a seasonal and special event basis. To fill out a volunteer applications, log onto www.okaquarium.org, and click on the Volunteers page under Support The Aquarium, or call Karen Dills, (918) 528-1515.
New Sharks On Exhibit
October 30, 2008
The O klahoma Aquarium and Tulsa Zoo staff are continuing a cooperative relationship in the care of the Zoo’s 3 nurse sharks. The Aquarium has been holding the approximately 200 pound sharks behind the scenes while the Zoo evaluated a renovation project of its shark exhibit. Due to ongoing construction, the Aquarium and Zoo have moved the sharks to the Aquarium’s main tank, which now houses 19 bull, lemon and Atlantic blacktip sharks. The Aquarium is also moving a fourth nurse shark, being held for Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield, Missouri, for similar reasons to the Zoo. Nurse sharks are bottom dwellers, so they add a new dimension to the Siegfried Families Shark Adventure until the Zoo and Wonders of Wildlife are ready to take their sharks back.
A young guest gets eye to eye with 4 nurse sharks
Oh Baby! Otter Born at Aquarium!
October 28, 2008
After weeks of speculation, it’s time for a baby shower, or rather a splash at the Oklahoma Aquarium. A one-month-old North American River Otter baby, or pup is taking its first public steps and swimming with mama otter’s help. The pup and female and male pair are part of the Hayes Family Ozark Stream which just opened this past March, and is the Oklahoma Aquarium’s first exhibit to feature mammals. Biologists knew the male and female otter had mated, but weren’t sure about the pregnancy until recent weeks. On September 26th, biologists were on high alert, as the female exhibited behavior of going into labor and then remained in her den for an extended length of time. Otters can be very defensive, so it was with great caution that Aquarium staff peered into the den and verified a baby had been born. It has just been in the last few days that the mother otter started bringing the baby out of the den. For the safety of the baby, modifications have been made to the exhibit including guards along high areas. The guards are also helping to shield the male otter. It is normal for mother otters to be extremely protective of their offspring. The female becomes very aggressive toward the male warning him that his curiosity will have to wait. Curiosity over the pup’s gender will also have to wait. It may be a full year before biologists can identify if the baby is a male or female.
Otter mama and pup at the Oklahoma Aquarium
Aquarium Receives Top Honor
October 14, 2008
The Oklahoma Aquarium is proud to bring home two awards for excellence in state tourism including the coveted honor of Outstanding Attraction. This is the second time in just five years of operation that the Aquarium has been awarded this title. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association announced annual RedBud Award winners at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism October 12-14 in Oklahoma City. The RedBud Awards are the highest honor recognizing attractions, events and promotional efforts that help develop tourism, which is Oklahoma’s third largest industry.
Entrants were evaluated by out-of-state judges on several criteria including customer service, marketing effectiveness, media relations, variety of audiences reached, value and overall creativity. In its entry, the Oklahoma Aquarium highlighted its newest exhibit, the Hayes Family Ozark Stream which features river otters, raccoons and beavers along with fish native to northeastern Oklahoma streams. The Aquarium also showcased the Siegfried Families Shark Adventure which houses a stunning population of bull, lemon and Atlantic blacktip sharks. In addition to the top award of Outstanding Attraction, the Aquarium also received merit recognition in the category of Best Brochure or Publication. “These awards mean a lot to our dedicated staff and volunteers who work so hard every day to make the Oklahoma Aquarium educational, entertaining and innovative,” said Teri Bowers, COO/Executive Director of the Aquarium. “But this is only the beginning. We have new exhibits under construction right now, and more on the drawing board, so expect the Oklahoma Aquarium to continue growing, changing and striving for the next level of quality for our visitors.”
From left to right: Hardy Watkins, Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation Executive Director; Kenny Alexopoulos, Oklahoma Aquarium Deputy Director; Teri Bowers, Oklahoma Aquarium COO/Executive Director; Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins; Aaron Martin, Oklahoma Travel Industry Association.
New Dates for HallowMarine and “Wooly” Bonus!
Jenks, OK September 25, 2008
Halloween’s creepiest characters are not as scary as kids up too late on a school night! So the Oklahoma Aquarium is shifting the dates of its popular HallowMarine to include more weekend nights and fewer school nights. Traditionally held October 27th through the 31st, HallowMarine this year will be Friday 24th, Saturday 25th, Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30th and Friday 31st. The doors open all nights at 6:30 and the event runs till 9:00.
HallowMarine is all-indoor, safe trick-or-treating in the Aquarium along with a kids carnival for the tiniest toddlers and a Haunted Sunken Ship geared toward older kids and adults. Friendly pirates also roam the Aquarium, playing games with kids and handing out extra treasure. All exhibits are open during HallowMarine, so guests can also enjoy the sharks, stingrays, river otters and hundreds of other aquatic animals at the Aquarium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children. That’s discounted from regular Aquarium admission, so it’s a unique opportunity for families to visit at a lower price. Members receive $1 off, and for even more savings, visit any QuikTrip store during October to pick up a $1 off coupon while supplies last. Other sponsors are BancFirst, TulsaKids Magazine and Cox Communications. HallowMarine is also a fantastic chance for area businesses to interact with hundreds of families each night. Businesses are invited to participate in the trick-or-treat trail and may offer coupons or other information while passing out candy. To sign up, please contact Sasha Rubey, sasha@okaquarium.org or call 528-1513. To enjoy prime booth placement as a sponsor, call Teri Bowers, 528-1501 or e-mail tbowers@okaquarium.org.
But HallowMarine is only one of the exciting events at the Oklahoma Aquarium during October. For the entire month, the Aquarium and Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve are partnering to share some hidden treasures of back rooms of both facilities. Visitors to the Aquarium will get to see some fascinating and even bizarre finds from the legendary lodge of oil baron Frank Phillips just outside of Bartlesville. The Weird, Wild and Wonderful Woolaroc display is included in the price of regular admission and Aquarium guests also receive a coupon to see more of Woolaroc at a discount. Visitors to Woolaroc will receive a coupon to see the Aquarium at a discount and will also get a sneak preview of a new Aquarium display and play area that will be installed at Tulsa International Airport. The hands-on fun zone features the chance to safely get in a shark’s mouth, coral to explore and educational facts about animals found at the Aquarium.
Aquarium Enhancing Two Galleries
Jenks, OK July 17, 2008
The Oklahoma Aquarium is excited to unveil plans to remodel sections of the first two galleries. The improvements are part of the Aquarium’s ongoing efforts to renew and improve the visitor experience. The first project is underway in the Biodiversity Gallery which features invertebrates - aquatic animals without spines. The back third of small tanks are being replaced with a large shrimp boat structure which will house shrimp, horseshoe crabs and other animals. The shrimp boat will be an interactive station with the opportunity for guests to both feed and touch these animals. This addition will not only provide another hands-on experience for guests, it will also improve traffic flow. Animals in the eliminated tanks have been relocated to other tanks in the Aquarium. The shrimp boat is expected to be completed by March 2009.
The second project is slated for the Adaptation Gallery. A central bank of tanks will be replaced with a large floor to ceiling tank with crawl-through tunnels and “pop-ups” for children, and adventurous adults, to literally come eye-to-eye with fish. The Adaptation Gallery features fish that change behaviorally or physically, or adapt, to survive. The crawl-through tank will house arapaima, the largest freshwater fish in the world, also freshwater stingrays and iguanas on an island in the exhibit. Again, any fish in outmoded tanks will be relocated. “The first five years has been a critical period for building a solid foundation,” said Kenny Alexopoulos, Deputy Director and designer of the projects, “but now we can improve upon that base with these exciting changes.” The yet-to-be named crawl through tank is projected for completion in March 2010.
The Biodiversity and Adaptation Galleries were made possible through the generous support of the Anne and Henry Zarrow Family Foundation during initial construction of the Aquarium. The new features are available for sponsorship by contacting Teri Bowers, COO/Executive Director tbowers@okaquarium.org.
Oklahoma Aquarium Promoting Family Fitness
April 5, 2008
There are a lot of organized runs in the Tulsa area, but the Aquarium Run, presented by SemGroup L.P. is offering an added bonus, a six week online training program promoting family fitness. It’s called Shape Up With Shipley, utilizing the Aquarium’s shark mascot to appeal to kids. A kickoff rally was held Saturday morning at the RiverWalk Amphitheater to encourage families to incorporate more physical activity into their daily lives. Each week, a progressive walking/running training program will be posted on the Aquarium website with help from David Brennan, and instructor with OU’s Division of Sports and Family Medicine. Plus, NewsChannel 8 Morning personalities Kristin Dickerson and Mike Collier will serve as celebrity runners allowing viewers to track their progress in preparation for the run. The Aquarium Run on May 17, features a 1 mile fun run/walk, a 5K and a half-marathon. Kristin is focusing on the 1 mile fun run/walk and encouraging kids and beginner level exercisers to get moving. Mike is training for the half-marathon, appealing to intermediate to advanced exercisers. The Aquarium Run events are followed by awards, a cookout and a kids zone on the Aquarium’s own McGraw Beach, plus free race-day Aquarium admission to all registered runners and walkers. For more information or to register online, visit www.okaquarium.org or call 296-FISH.
Mike Collier, NewsChannel 8; Kristin Dickerson, NewsChannel 8; Shipley The
Shark and Patty Powell, SemGroup L.P. are training for the Aquarium Run.
New Exhibit, New Website, New Camp
March 5, 2008
The excitement is tripled at the Oklahoma Aquarium with the grand opening of a new exhibit, the launch of a redesigned website and a spring break camp convenient for working parents.
For the past 12 months, visitors to the Oklahoma Aquarium have been able to watch the construction progress of the Hayes Family Ozark Stream. On March 7th, they’ll be able to experience a remarkable Oklahoma based exhibit. The Hayes Family Ozark Stream is not only the largest addition to the Aquarium since opening in 2003, it will feature the Aquarium’s first mammals - beavers, raccoons and river otters along with Oklahoma fish such as smallmouth bass and sunfish. The unique design of the exhibit allows guests to come nose to nose with the animals, separated only by glass. Hand-carved concrete mimics the rocky cliffs of Northeastern Oklahoma at the foot of the Ozarks, and a crashing waterfall adds to the ambience, even the lighting and temperature contribute to the ennvironment.
The public opening will be preceded by a private dedication and ribbon cutting at 6:30 p.m. on March 6th. The media is encouraged to attend to get a first look at the exhibit. Guests of honor will include Dr. Jeanne Hayes, the wife of the late Dr. Mark Hayes. He fought tirelessly to educate the public about the importance of stream ecology and to promote the revitalization and protection of Oklahoma’s scenic waters. He worked to revitalize a stretch of Battle Branch Creek on the Hayes Family farm in Delaware County and collaborated with Aquarium biologists to develop and help fund the Ozark Stream exhibit. He hoped the exhibit would leave people with a greater understanding of why it is so important to protect this vital piece of Oklahoma’s natural environment.
Oklahoma Lt. Governor Jari Askins, J.D. Strong, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Secretary of the Environment and officials from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will also attend.
The Aquarium would like to thank the Hayes Family, the Oxley Foundation, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Oklahoma Centennial Commission for financial support in constructing this beautiful new addition. The Aquarium was proud to be designated as a centennial project as the state of Oklahoma celebrated its 100th birthday.
The Oklahoma Aquarium is also thrilled to announce the launch of an all new, redesigned website www.okaquarium.org. Aquarium staff contracted with Tulsa company Straxis Technology to develop a site that is colorful, interactive and educational. It is extremely user-friendly for finding basic information such as hours and signing up for school field trips. The new website also features a section called Whoa! Cool! It will be updated frequently to show video and photographs of aquatic life both at the Oklahoma Aquarium and in the wild.
Finally, Spring Break is right around the corner, leaving many parents looking for ways to keep their kids entertained. This is especially challenging for working parents who don’t enjoy the same time off as their children. The Oklahoma Aquarium is offering a solution with its Spring Break Sea Camp, Surf’s Up! The camp is designed for kids in grades K-5th and runs March 17 – 21, although parents can choose to sign up for any number of days during the week from just one to all five. Each camp day is from 9 am to 4 pm. $200 per child for the full week. Morning and afternoon care is available for an additional $5 per day with early drop-off starting at 8:00 am and late pick up until 5:30 pm. 10% discount for Aquarium members. Pre-registration is required. Call (918) 528-1508 or education@okaquarium.org
