The Seymour Marine Discovery Center, a community-supported marine science education center for Long Marine Lab at the University of California, Santa Cruz at UC Santa Cruz, has renovated its exhibit space and introduced enhanced, visitor-facing experiences as part of an up glow. Leveraging the unusual natural events that Santa Cruz County has faced recently due to climate change, interactive and hands-on exhibits provide a more hyper-local focus for visitors to the marine science education center, founded over two decades ago on Santa Cruz’s westside just north of Natural Bridges State Beach.

The science-forward exhibits tell the story of why waves are 12 inches higher than they were 50 years ago, showcase nature-based solutions to prevent urban flooding, and provide examples of how local organizations are working to reduce the amount of plastic in the ocean and more – all with a focus on an issue and a solution.

Longtime favorite Seymour Center attractions — the aquarium, touch tanks, and the daily tours to the marine mammal lab overlook — are still a part of the visitor experience. Complementing the aquarium, a new terrarium celebrates local coastal ecosystems with live plants.  The nonprofit Seymour Marine Discovery Center offers visitors numerous unique, educational, and interactive indoor and outdoor exhibits for all ages and a glimpse into the research studies taking place.