EXHIBIT DESCRIPTIONS
Origin of the Estuary
See, touch and feel a chronological overview of the Bay from its early beginnings as a
habitat untouched by man through life as we know it today. Visitors learn about the
effects of Native Americans, Mission dwellers, early Rancheros and post World War I
inhabitants through a captivating photo collage and hands-on exhibits.
Habitat Is Where It’s At!
This interactive display will prompt a study of the
four basics for survival: food, water, shelter and space, through a hands-on exploration
of the Bay’s habitats.
Explore the Uplands
Get up close and personal with the uplands that
surround the Bay. Outdoor Dining in the Grasslands depicts food sources that
many of the Bay’s animals thrive on through sight and sound exhibits and live
terrarium displays. Undercover in the Coastal Sage Scrub allows visitors to
peek into a den, see and feel how a variety of nests are built and explore the many other
homes of the Bay’s resident wildlife.
Theater
Visitors will be awe struck with the "visual
poem" of Upper Newport Bay presented on five monitors with surround sound that allows
them to experience the freedom of birds in flight, the melody of flowing water, and the
all-encompassing majesty of the Bay itself. This continuously running video collage,
entitled, "Salt Marsh Seasons" was created by film-maker and Orange County
resident, Jack Couffer, whose critically-acclaimed work includes "Jonathan Livingston
Sea Gull" and extensive projects for Disney World.
Upon entering the Interpretive Center the first
exhibit to catch the visitor’s eye is Life in the Estuary. This
magnificent estuarine aquarium is combined with bas-relief sculpture that depicts the
unique quality of an estuary – the mixing of fresh and salt water. The exhibit
details a crucial estuary food web. The microscopic organisms that are truly the basis of
life in the Bay are projected from a microscope and displayed on a 36-inch color monitor
for ease of viewing and discussion.
Tunnel of Mud
It’s a dirty fact, but true, mud is at the bottom of everything in the Bay! The
unique construction of this exhibit gives visitors the worm’s-eye-view of Life
in the Mud and Life in the Water. It begins with a crawl into a
darkened tunnel that looks, feels and smells like the home of the Bay’s infamous Inn
Keeper Worm. Observe not only the worms, clams and ghost shrimp of this muddy habitat, but
the creatures that feed on it as well. "Mud facts" will enlighten visitors on
this vital link in the Bay’s life cycle.
Working Wetlands
Take a walk on the wild side on a unique boardwalk
through a recreated wetland exhibit. A mix of metaphors will help visitors associate
common, everyday objects with the unique functions of the wetlands in this graphic display
– truly an "interpretive" experience.
Do You Know the Way to Upper Newport Bay?
A spectacular 40-foot-long, 10-foot-tall, S-shaped
wall will showcase a global, statewide and local overview of the many migratory birds that
are so very dependent upon the world’s remaining wetlands for their continued
existence. Explore flight patterns, migratory traits and gain a greater understanding of
the Pacific Flyway through several exciting exhibits.
Saving the Estuary – You Can Make a
Difference
The Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve is here today
for only one reason: Caring and concerned citizens saw the need to step in and save this
most precious of ecological resources. Photo collages, renderings, pertinent newspaper
clippings and video montages are a chronological tribute to the many people that have
helped maintain and preserve the Bay, beginning with the efforts of Frank and Fran
Robinson.
Vanishing Habitats
Puzzled by what causes endangered habitats and
species? This exhibit utilizes a hands-on, interactive puzzle premise to answer the
questions many of us have: If food, water and shelter disappear what happens to our
wildlife? What can we do to maintain habitat? What happens to our migrating bird
population when it loses wetlands? Find out answers to these questions and get a better
understanding of what can be done to make a difference in preserving and maintaining this
fragile ecosystem.
The Atrium of Flight
Become an expert on Upper Newport Bay’s bird
population! This spectacular exhibit not only allows the visitor to see the myriad of
birds that visit and live in the Bay, but to also identify them through enlarged key card
displays.
Outdoor Plaza
An additional 12,000-square feet of exhibit space is
located at the entrance of the Center. No where will one be able to soak in the Bay’s
ambiance better than this special vantage point! Included in the Plaza area is the Birds
Nest Amphitheater, which will accommodate special rotating exhibits and function
as the ultimate in outdoor lecture space. Adjacent to the Amphitheater is the
recreation of an Ancient Indian Dwelling, where visitors can travel back in
time over 9,000 years and learn about the Bay’s first residents. The Tongva culture
and the Gabrielino Indians’ lifestyle will be depicted through a variety of colorful
displays and models.
Penny Elia |
