EXAMINE WHAT'S UNDER THE LILY PAD AT THE OREGON COAST AQUARIUM

Beginning March 23, visitors become pond watchers at the new "Under the Lily Pad" exhibit in the Oregon Coast Aquarium Ocean Exploration Station. This new interactive exhibit allows visitors to wade into the mysteries of pond life and explore the role these soggy spaces play in a healthy ecosystem. Learn what's lurking beneath the pond's surface. Watch perch and bluegills, compare newts and salamanders and search for tree and red-legged frogs. Join the birds and take a spring break migration vacation. Stop by and check out "Under the Lily Pad"...it's truly tadpole territory.

Beginning March 23, visitors become pond watchers at the new "Under the Lily Pad" exhibit at the Oregon Coast Aquarium Ocean Exploration Station. This new interactive exhibit allows visitors to wade into the mysteries of pond life and explore the role these soggy spaces play in a healthy ecosystem.

Visitors dip into the microscopic life of a pond community with the help of Aquarium volunteer interpreters and see if they can identify the many creatures in the "duck soup" found in a pond ecosystem. Learn what's lurking beneath the pond's surface as you watch perch and bluegills, compare newts and salamanders and search for tree and red-legged frogs. You'll be ribbetted!

Test your sense of hearing as you tune into the Creature Chorus and hear the symphony of the various animals making their home in and around a pond. Become a budding entomologist and see the world through an insect's eyes with Aquarium insect goggles and discover the changing life of dragonflies in their specially designed lair.

Become a botanist and learn about some of the unusual plants that serve as the pillars of the pond community. Then spend some time learning why ponds are important ecosystems. "Under the Lily Pad" replaces the "Crab Lab" in the Sandy Shores Gallery at the Oregon Coast Aquarium starting March 23.

Located just south of Newport, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is rated one of the top 10 aquariums in the nation by Parade magazine. Immerse yourself in Passages of the Deep and walk beneath the waves through a 200-foot clear underwater tunnel that snakes through three ocean habitats. Encounter sharks, rays and thousands of other fish swimming around you, while you solve "The Great White Mystery: What Happened to Surfer Bob?" Experience an exhilarating sensation when you look around and realize you're completely surrounded!

Outdoors, rugged cliffs, caves and pools showcase the many fascinating fish and invertebrates of Oregon's coastal shores. Discover curious seals, sea lions and sea otters. A giant Pacific octopus lurks in an undersea coastal cave, and cartoonlike tufted puffins and other seabirds make their homes in one of the largest walk-through aviaries in North America.

Indoors, enjoy "Jewels of the Sea", where mysterious jellyfish from around the world are showcased in one of the largest displays in North America. Marvelously adapted to a drifting, predatory life in the ocean, over a dozen species of seldom-seen jellies are on exhibit. Three galleries-Sandy Shores, Rocky Shores, Coastal Waters-bring sea life down to see level, providing visitors dozens of exhibits of Oregon coastal fishes and invertebrates. "At the Jetty" recognizes the importance of migrating salmon to Oregon's maritime environment, while the Qwest Theatre hosts "Keeper Talks" daily on a variety of topics on Aquarium operations.

Oregon Coast Aquarium admission is $10.25 for adults, $9.25 for seniors (65+), and $6.25 for children (4-13), children three and under are free. Advance tickets can be purchased on-line at www.aquarium.org. Group rates are available when arranged in advance. The Aquarium is open every day except December 25. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Memorial Day weekend.

For additional information about the Oregon Coast Aquarium, surf www.aquarium.org or call 541-867-FISH.

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Editors' & Producers' Note: The Oregon Coast Aquarium has an extensive library of digital images and color slides of our 15,000 marine creatures residing here, special events and activities as well as working shots of the staff and visitors. Merely let us know your image needs and we'll provide them to you. Thank you!

Contact:
Guy DiTorrice, Public Relations Officer
Telephone: 541-867-3474, ext. 5224
E-mail: guyd@aquarium.org
Web site: http://www.aquarium.org/

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E-mail: E-mail Guy DiTorrice Web site: http://www.aquarium.org">Oregon Coast Aquarium