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Gazette, June 25th, 2014
Aquarium Spotlights Federal Point
Help the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher go clean and green. A new initiative lights the way for more wind power availability and offsets traditional energy use with the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits. The Aquarium works daily to help visitors make real and personal connections to marine environments. Part of connecting is understanding the collective impact of actions we all can take to have a healthy ocean. This summer the Aquarium offers guests an easy way to help the ocean and support clean, renewable energy. Visitors may purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to offset the carbon produced by fossil fuel use at home and by driving. Each purchased REC provides an environmental benefit and represents one megawatthour of electricity generated from wind power. The wind power is generated and delivered to the national power grid. Purchasing the RECs offers direct support for renewable energy projects. In addition, for every kilowatt hour(kWh) a visitor purchases, the Aquarium will receive a wind credit for an equal amount. The goal is to
(Pictured Above): “Look Out on the Dunes” by Michael Ticcino. Kure Beach, NC – A new art installation, “Federal Point,” at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher spotlights the artistic photography of the Cape Fear Camera Club. Club members documented
images throughout Federal Point, in partnership with the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society and its Digital Image Project. Federal Point is the large peninsula between the Cape Fear River
and the Atlantic Ocean, south of Wilmington, North Carolina. During the project, a wide range of photos were taken from landscapes to businesses, architecture to flora and fauna. The images featured in the
exhibit depict a more artistic rather than documentary exploration of Federal Point. “Federal Point” will remain on display until Sept. 10, 2014. The Spadefish Gallery at the See Spotlights, page 19B
Wings Wednesday at Aquarium Kure Beach, N.C. — Flap, flutter or fly down to the new Butterfly Bungalow at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher and don’t forget your wings. Experience the wonder of hundreds of free-flying exotic butterflies of various species. Every Wednesday in May visitors wearing their own set of wings gain free admission to the butterfly house. In addition, visitors can join in the Butterfly Brigade Parade
at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. A marching celebration of pollinators winds from the Aquarium’s outdoor plaza to the Butterfly Bungalow. Butterfly Bungalow and garden begins at a pupa house where visitors view the chrysalis stage of the insects’ life cycle, when the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly occurs. Inside the Butterfly Bungalow, a greenhouse-like See Butterfly, page 17B
Aquarium Lights Way for Green Power
(Pictured Above): A young visitor sports her own wings while visiting the new Butterfly Bungalow at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
balance 100 percent of the electricity used at the Aquarium with an equal amount of wind energy, for a total of 3,037,000 kWh of electricity per year. Reaching the wind energy goal packs a big impact for ocean health and animal habitats, keeping 2,143 metric tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Reducing our carbon footprint can slow the impacts of climate change, including ocean acidification. Visitors to the Aquarium will learn about this initiative during education programs, such as daily dive shows, throughout the summer. Guests may choose to purchase the RECs by using their cell phones for as little as $5 for 333 kilowatt hours. A grant from The Ocean Project funds a partnership with the N.C. Aquariums, Jeannette’s Pier and Greenlight Energy. Greenlight Energy is a certified independent greenpower marketing company that purchases RECs for individuals and organizations, connecting producers with consumers. Nearly 30 U.S. states are required to produce a minimum amount of green energy. Electric utilities in these states See GREEN, page 17B
NC Aquarium at Ft. Fisher’s Summer Camp Registration Open Explore, play, laugh, learn—children enrolled in summer camp at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher will do all this and more. Campers, ages 5 to 14, experience outdoor adventure, eco-education and make new friends. Trained marine educators lead the activities and introduce campers to live animals in a safe and fun atmosphere. Aquarium Camp runs 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday throughout the summer. Session details are below. Limited transportation to and from summer camp is offered, with pick-up points at a Monkey Junction and Ft. Fisher Ferry locations (This
service requires an additional fee and registration). For more information and to register visit ncaquariums.com/fortfisher. Nature Patrol: Campers develop basic animal observation skills while patrolling different local habitats. Join the aquarium on its mission to conserve and protect North Carolina's environments. Dates: June 16-20, June 23-27 Ages: 5-6, 7-9, 10-12 Weird, Wonderful Wildlife: Have you ever wondered how frogs survive the winter, or why some fish can glow in the dark? Sometimes animals are wonderfully See SUMMER, page 19B