Pristine Seas Opening Reception honoring Enric Sala, NatGeo Explorer

2150 Allston Way,Berkeley CA 94704

10 November, 2022

Description

A mind-blowing, hope-catalyzing evening honoring Enric Sala (National Geographic Explorer in Residence),—with Dan Myers (Senior Director of Public Affairs) & Sejal Choksi-Chugh (San Francisco Baykeeper’s Executive Director). MC-ed by our very own Ken Brower. Wine & light refreshments served. The David Brower Center honors Enric Sala, founder of Pristine Seas, who will be accepting the 2022 Art/Act: Award via Zoom. Sala dedicates his life to restoring dozens of our planet's marine ecosystems—in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and governments around the world. Experience the official North American premiere of Pristine Seas: Bringing the Ocean Back. Organized and traveled by the National Geographic Society, dive deep into strikingly beautiful stories & images from the wildest places in the ocean—in both English and Spanish. Since 2008, Pristine Seas inspires political and business leaders, NGOs, and local governments to create marine reserves around the world. San Francisco Baykeeper’s Sejal Choksi-Chugh reveals how exciting local advocacy work keeps our Bay free from polluters. Take action to keep our waters pristine right here at home. In the gallery, chat with Brown Girl Surf, San Francisco Baykeeper, and Stop Fish Bombing USA to learn actions you can take now. We’ll learn how to protect 30% of our oceans by 2030. As our oceans heal and regenerate, we keep carbon absorbed and at bay. Everyone wins—not just marine life, but also local fisheries, the communities they support, our climate, and the global food systems we all depend on. Masks strongly recommended when not eating/drinking. Our building / theatre are one of the safest in the Bay, with 100% fresh exchange of outdoor air every hour. Arrive early to view the exhibition prior to the talk. 6:30-7p Both gallery floors open. Meet Brown Girl Surf, Baykeeper, & Stop Fish Bombing USA. 7-8p Talk 8-8:30p Gallery remains open for mingling Art/Act: Award is the 3rd exhibition of our annual series that serves the lifecycle of artists. The series uses art to inspire action—from Art/Act: Youth in the spring to emerging artists in the summer (Art/Act: Local) to accomplished professionals (Art/Act: Award) in the fall. ↑ PHOTO: Jordi Chias, National Geographic // Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Arc, Antarctica Expedition: January 2019 // Protection Status: In Progress A Pristine Seas diver explores an iceberg off the Antarctic Peninsula. Ocean warming is causing Antarctic ice sheets to break and shrink, which will not only threaten life around Antarctica but will further increase the rate that Earth warms. ↑ VIDEO: A peek at the Pristine Seas exhibition↑ PHOTO: Enric Sala, National Geographic // Isla de los Estados, Argentina Expedition: February 2018 // Protection Status: In Progress Jellyfish float through a kelp forest off the coast of Isla de los Estados, Argentina. Giant kelps are the largest algae in the ocean, growing to more than 45 meters (150 feet). Kelp forests harbor one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet. ↑ PHOTO: Manu San Félix, National Geographic // Southern Line Islands, Kiribati Expedition : March to April 2009 and October 2021 // Protection Status: Protected, 2015 Grey reef sharks are the most abundant top predators at Millennium Atoll’s fore reef. In pristine reefs, top predators collectively outweigh their prey—a reversal of the pattern found on land. Pristine Seas first recognized the “flipped biomass pyramid” in the Line Islands. ↑ PHOTO: Manu San Félix, National Geographic // Kawésqar National Park, Chile Expedition: February to March 2020 and November 2021 // Protection Status: In Progress Kelp forests in southern Chile are among the healthiest on Earth. Surveys by the Pristine Seas team are paired with analyses of satellite imagery to evaluate how giant kelp forests have changed in response to the climate crisis. ↑ PHOTO: Enric Sala, National Geographic // Southern Line Islands, Kiribati Expedition Dates: March to April 2009 and October 2021 // Protection Status: Protected, 2015 Juvenile blacktip reef sharks are abundant in the lagoon of Millennium Atoll, where they can both shelter from larger sharks that may hunt them and obtain abundant food from the many reef fishes that live in the lagoon.