The Central Coast Aquarium (CCA) is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Nikki Adams as the recipient of the 2019 Ocean Stewardship Award. The annual award recognizes an individual who has made a positive and lasting impact on marine science in San Luis Obispo County in the areas of research, conservation, volunteerism or philanthropy. This year’s award will be presented at CCA’s annual fundraiser, Catch of the Central Coast, scheduled for Saturday, September 14 at 5pm on site at the Aquarium in Avila Beach.
Dr. Adams has dedicated her career to improving marine science education and public ocean literacy. In addition to teaching invertebrate zoology, developmental biology and marine-focused courses, she helped create and teach courses specifically training undergraduate and graduate students how to share marine science with the public. For nearly two decades, she has served as a liaison between Cal Poly and the Aquarium and created additional courses at Cal Poly that allow students to earn elective credit for working and training as docents and aquarists at CCA.
Dr. Adams started her stewardship and career in marine outreach as an instructor at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, California. She has worked at Cal Poly for 17 years and was one of the founding members of the Center for Coastal Marine Sciences. Additionally, she led the effort to create the new Cal Poly Marine Sciences bachelor’s degree program, which specifically includes a requirement for students to contribute to marine science outreach in our community.
Her position at Cal Poly allows her to utilize all of her experiences to lead externally funded student- focused research projects studying effects of the environment and pollutants, including commercial sunscreens, on marine organisms, while also training the next generation of marine science educators. About her research, Dr. Adams says, “This work helps us understand how organisms respond to climate change and human activities. Involvement of students in this research is important to teach them how do conduct research, but also to teach them how to communicate the importance of their work to other scientists and the public.”
Christine Johnson, CCA’s Executive Director states, “As a direct result of Dr. Adams extraordinary effort to create and maintain a vibrant partnership between Cal Poly students and CCA, thousands of college students received real world experience working in both the public exhibit hall and behind the scenes at a fully operational marine science education center and aquarium. But, CCA received the greatest benefit of all: wave after wave of energetic, passionate and educated college students working along side us to amplify CCA’s mission to create the next generation of ocean stewards through education, engagement and action.”
Adams’ other community service includes helping plan and run biannual Cal Poly Pier Open House events for the public, volunteering for many science events at local elementary, middle and high schools, project leader for Los Osos 4-H, and she is a new volunteer at Pacific Wildlife Care in Morro Bay.
To attend Catch of the Central Coast and honor Dr. Adams while helping to raise funds the directly benefit CCA’s marine science education programs, you may purchase tickets in person at the Aquarium during business hours, online at www.centralcoastaquarium.com, or by calling 805-595- 7280. Cost for the dinner is $150 per person or $1,200 for a table of eight.
About the Central Coast Aquarium
For 25 years, the Central Coast Aquarium, located in Avila Beach, has been providing unique hands- on learning opportunities to children and adults in the fields of Marine Biology & Oceanography. The mission of CCA is to cultivate a community dedicated to ocean stewardship through education, engagement, and action. By increasing appreciation for the ocean, its marine life and our local environment, we aim to encourage an active commitment to its preservation. For more information, contact: Christine Johnson, Executive Director, [email protected], 805-595-7280, ext. 1002.