Public invited July 2 to Preview PG Museum’s New Exhibit ‘Changes,’ Meet New Executive Director

  Facing perhaps its most profound set of challenges since it opened in 1883, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History couldn’t help but experience changes during this past year. 

Pacific Grove, CA, June 14, 2021 — Facing perhaps its most profound set of challenges since it opened in 1883, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History couldn’t help but experience changes during this past year. Change is a natural process in life — also seen over time in the very ecosystems the museum celebrates.

On Friday, July 2, the general public is invited to the aptly named Changes of Monterey exhibit, and meet the museum’s new Executive Director Carla Bitter. Despite being closed for much of 2020, the museum designed and launched “Changes,” which celebrates the habitats of Monterey County and raises awareness about human impacts on our delicate ecosystems over time. The exhibit shows that humans have the ability to make choices that will lead to positive changes in our local environment. It will be a day of wonder from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with special evening activities during Pacific Grove’s First Friday celebrations from 6-9 p.m. 

Bitter’s 20-year professional museum career has spanned field archaeology, science museums and zoo programs, outreach and exhibit development, with a career highlight as the EPO Manager (Education & Public Outreach) for NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Mission. 

Hired at PGMNH in April, Bitter has helped develop and led an array of science and museum experiences, with positions at the Museum of Flight, Woodland Park Zoo, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (Washington, D.C.), and the NSF Science & Technology Center, devoted to arid land and riparian hydrology at the University of Arizona. Bitter has served on multiple NASA, NOAA and IMLS (Institution of Museum and Library Services) review panels in support of climate, earth and space science public education. A biologist with an MS in molecular genetics/conservation ecology, Bitter places great emphasis on public science communication of complex topics through education programs, exhibits and community outreach. 

Currently open Friday through Monday (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) with Thursday being added on July 1st. Following CA guidelines, we will be open to full capacity by June 15 and masks will still be required. In addition, The museum will remain open on Independence Day, Sunday, July 4, with regular hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) 

About the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

In 1883, our museum opened its doors among the first wave of natural history museums in America. Naturalists of this era, such as John Muir and Louis Aggasiz, began a national tradition of hands-on science education and nature preservation. The museum has continued this tradition for over 130 years. The museum's mission is to inspire discovery, wonder, and stewardship of our natural world. It envisions a community of curious minds, engaged in discovering the natural heritage and cultural legacy that exist today on the Central California Coast. The museum is a catalyst for conservation and a valued learning resource in this region, facilitating active inquiry for all ages. For more information visit www.pgmuseum.org. 

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
The Buzz PR, LLC.
Salinas, CA
(831) 747-7455
http://www.pgmuseum.org

PG Museum’s Hardcore Natural History Series takes a Closer Look at the Endangered Monarch Butterfly

In the 1980s, more than 4 million monarch butterflies wintered in forested groves along the California coast.

Pacific Grove, CA, August 31, 2020 — In the 1980s, more than 4 million monarch butterflies wintered in forested groves along the California coast. Today that figure stands at less than 30,000, according to recent scientific tallies.

Monarchs in California have been in decline due to loss of habitat, including destruction of their overwintering sites and loss of both milkweed for caterpillars and flowering resources to fuel migration.

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History takes great interest in these famous orange-and-black insects. As part of its Hardcore Natural History series, it will host three upcoming programs devoted to better understanding monarchs, now under government consideration for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

Led by renowned experts in the field, these virtual programs take place on Sept. 17, Oct. 15 and Nov. 12. Cost is $5 for museum members and $10 for non-members. Those interested may register and purchase tickets here, although to participate they must be registered by 5 p.m. on the day of each event.

Following is an outline of the series:

Planting for Monarchs with Emma Pelton

Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m.

Join us as we speak to Emma Pelton, a senior conservation biologist at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Peloton leads western monarch conservation efforts — including developing best management practices for monarch habitat. She will teach participants what to keep in mind when planting for monarchs, especially around overwintering sites. She is particularly interested in overwintering site protection and restoration in California, and partners with many land managers and community scientists to improve management in these critical habitats. Pelton also serves on the Monarch Joint Venture advisory committee and the AZA SAFE Monarch steering committee.

The Price of Pesticides with Sarah Hoyle

Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m.

Join us for a discussion of recent research on pesticide contamination of milkweed in California's Central Valley. This program will be led by Sarah Hoyle, a researcher for the Xerces Society, who joined scientists from University of Nevada, Reno, in sampling milkweed plants from various landscapes in the Central Valley, analyzing them for pesticide residues. They found widespread contamination of milkweed at levels that could harm monarch caterpillars. Hoyle will review the research and its implications for monarch conservation.

Small But Mighty: Monarch Butterfly Migration and Overwintering with Jessica Griffiths

Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m.

Every fall, thousands of monarch butterflies migrate to Monterey County from all across the western United States to spend the winter clustering together at special overwintering sites. But how do they get here? And why do they spend the winter in certain groves of trees, but not others? How do researchers know where the monarchs come from, or how many there are? Join Jessica Griffiths as she shares what we know and don't know about monarch migration and overwintering, and how we can help protect this magnificent butterfly and its habitat in Monterey County. Griffiths has worked with monarchs on the Central Coast for almost 20 years, in both Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties. Over the years, she has trained hundreds of volunteers — including those from PGMNH — on how to count monarch butterflies, and she is currently the SLO County coordinator for the annual Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count.

For more information visit www.pgmuseum.org.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 747-7455
http://www.pgmuseum.org

From Films and Lectures to Hands-on activities, PG Museum of Natural History rounds out 2019

As a vital community and educational hub, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History plans varied and engaging events and activities to help inspire discovery, wonder and stewardship.

Pacific Grove, CA, September 25, 2019 - As a vital community and educational hub, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History plans varied and engaging events and activities to help inspire discovery, wonder and stewardship.

This mission reshapes the typical museum experience, while creating a busy calendar to pique anyone’s interest.

The following schedule completes the 2019 calendar:

What: Science Saturday — The Sounds of Science
When: Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

From rabbit ears to bat echolocation, from owls in flight to dolphin sonar, the sense of hearing and the power of sound plays an important role in the natural world and how we study it. This free event allows participants to learn, make cool crafts and play fun games all about the science of sounds.


What: Junior Naturalist — Raptors
When: Saturday, Oct. 5, 9-10 a.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

Visit the newly renovated Museum Bird Gallery and join Antonio Balesteri of Sky Patrol for an hour of feathery fun learning about the birds of prey of Monterey County.


What: Museum’s Annual Gala
When: Saturday, Oct. 5, 6:30-9 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

Join us in celebrating the Wonder of the Museum at the annual gala, featuring local wineries (McIntyre Vineyards, Flywheel Wines, Morgan Winery, Blair Wines, Twisted Roots), breweries (Carmel Craft Brewing Company & Martha’s Hopyard) and restaurants (Beach House at Lovers Point, Lugano Swiss Bistro, La Balena, il grillo, TusCA Hyatt Regency Monterey, California Market at Hyatt Carmel Highlands, and Parker Lusseau), a silent auction, drawings and music from DJ Steb Montez.


What: How to Create a Butterfly Nectar Garden
When: Sunday, Oct. 6, 1-2 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Native Plant Garden

During Butterfly Days, join the museum and gardener Katie to learn how to create the type of nectar gardens that will attract monarchs near an overwintering site like the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary. We’ll build a nectar garden together while we learn about the best types of native nectar plants to use in your own personal garden, and about the monarchs that could visit it.


What: Master Gardeners Demonstration Series
When: Monday, Oct. 14, 2-5 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Native Plant Garden

Join the Monterey Bay Chapter of the University of California Master Gardeners as we launch a new monthly demonstration series. These events kick off with Master Gardeners demonstrating the science of pruning. Guests will learn best practices and walk away with a new skill set to keep their own personal gardens thriving.


What: Hardcore Natural History Series — Sea Otters: A Parasite’s New Host
When: Thursday, Oct. 24, 6:30-8 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

The southern sea otter population faces increasing challenges to survival. One of the largest obstacles otters face is a disease caused by the thorny-headed worm, a parasite known by scientists as an acanthocephalan. This talk features Richard Grewelle, PhD candidate at Hopkins Marine Station, who will discuss his current research.


What: Science Saturday — Bats, Spiders and Snakes
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

Join us at this free event as we slither into the magical world of bats, spiders and snakes. Learn about these amazing (and important) animals as you visit fun and educational stations throughout the museum.


What: Junior Naturalist — Migratory Birds
When: Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-noon
Where: Point Pinos, Pacific Grove

Each winter thousands of birds migrate south along the California Coast, and the Monterey Audubon Society’s SeaWatch initiative works to catalog the number and species that travel past our beautiful bay. Paul Fenwick of SeaWatch will join us as we discover more about some of the amazing species that will fill our skies this holiday season.


Saturday, November 9, 2019 Member Event

A Passion for Jade

11am-1pm

Donna Wobber, Monterey Bay Jade Festival board member and wife of the late artist Don Wobber, takes us on his journey through Jade Cove and his incredible art with this alluring stone. Members are invited to join this presentation, where we ‘dive’ into Wobber's legacy of influencing the jade culture, and explain the incredible 2,400 pound jade art piece that resides in our Native Plant Garden. Museum membership required, with 25 spots available.


What: Science Saturday — Magnificent Monarchs
When: Saturday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

View live butterflies up close, migrate like a monarch, and learn how to garden with butterflies in mind. Participants at this free event can help our visiting monarchs by taking home their very own native wildflower pot.


What: Santa at the Museum
When: Monday, Dec. 2, 5:30-8 p.m.
Where: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

Following Pacific Grove’s Tree Lighting Ceremony held at Jewell Park, walk the family over to the museum for a photo opportunity with Santa. Hosted by Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce.


What: Junior Naturalist — Tide Pool Exploration
When: Saturday, Dec. 14, 4-6 p.m.
Where: 631 Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove

Bring your rubber boots or water shoes as we get into the intertidal with our very own LiMPETS program coordinator Hannah Sarver. We will explore this ecosystem and the fantastic creatures that inhabit it as we learn about sea stars, anemones, nudibranchs and more.

Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the museum is at 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. For more information, call 648-5716, or visit www.pgmuseum.org.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.pgmuseum.org