Museum program focusing on oceans

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, September 25, 2004

WASHINGTON – A new ocean science program dedicated to studying and explaining the world’s oceans is the latest offering from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History.

“This is a remarkable time for ocean exploration. New technology enables scientists to go to depths of the ocean that were previously inaccessible and to discover organisms and ecosystems that have never been seen,” museum director Christian Samper said Thursday in a statement announcing the program.

The $60 million effort will include a new Ocean Hall at the museum – to open in 2008 – as well as a new chair for ocean science research and an Internet portal to provide educational materials.

Initial funding for the project includes $18.2 million from Smithsonian funds and $18 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Additional support will be sought from corporations, foundations and individuals, the museum said.

Samper said that, working with NOAA, the museum will establish the Ocean Science Initiative, a national outreach program that will demonstrate how the ocean is intrinsically connected to other global ecosystems and to our daily lives.”