ORCA
A R T I C U L AT I O N
WORKSHOP
A Killer Experience on the Mendocino Coast
Join the Noyo Center’s month-long Orca Articulation Workshop,
and help us re-assemble a 26-ft Orca skeleton, bone by bone.
Mixing art, science and engineering, everyone involved will get
a rare and intimate look into the life of a killer whale.
Mike and Lee placing a sea lion sternum.
WHEN
July 17th - August 12th, 2017
Mondays - Saturdays
9:00am -5:00pm
Final Reception - August 13th
(open to everyone)
WHERE
Fort Bragg, CA
In 2015, an adult male Orca washed ashore on the Mendocino Coast
tangled in crab pot line. He was identified as an Alaskan transient.
The Noyo Center for Marine Science, in collaboration with California
Academy of Sciences, collected and prepared the bones.
Now, three master articulators will lead us through the exciting process of
articulating the skeleton in a way that reflects this magnificent mammal’s
power and beauty. Throughout the workshop, as we build the whale, we will
dive deep into killer whale anatomy, habitats and communities, ecosystems
and food chains, human interactions and conservation strategies. You
don’t need a particular expertise to join our team, just an inquisitive mind,
a love of bones, a penchant for puzzles, and a collaborative spirit.
Still not sure? We have more! We want you to fall in love with the
Noyo Center and our stretch of the Mendocino Coast, so we will also
offer a range of additional activities, including whale watching trips,
kayak adventures, nature photography classes, scientific illustration
instruction, scientific lectures and more. It will be a true Orca summer.
COST
$200/day
(3 day min. / continuous days preferred)
$1,000/week
(6 day week)
$3500/entire workshop:
(24 days)
• Fees cover the cost of the workshop
and an event t-shirt.
• All reservations require a 50% deposit.
• Limited student scholarships are available.
Sue and Michi puzzling out some flippers bones.
MASTER ARTICULATORS
MIKE DE ROOS & MICHI MAIN
LEE POST
Salt Spring Island, B.C., Canada
Homer, Alaska
As the dynamic team behind the
remarkable lunge-feeding blue
whale skeleton at University of
British Columbia, Mike and Michi
have elevated the science of marine
skeleton articulation to an art form.
Each project features an elegant
pose and captivates the imagination
of the visitor. Check out their Killer
Whale at UBC.
Better known as the “Boneman,” Lee literally
wrote the book on marine mammal skeleton
articulation when none existed! Having
worked with large museums as well as small
marine centers, Lee never fails to deliver a
great experience. Check out his team building
a Killer Whale in front of the public at the
California Academy of Sciences, or raising
HOPE in Port Townsend, WA. We will be using
Lee’s manual at the workshop.
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Articulators and the completed CA Sea Lion.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
At the Noyo Center we believe in experiencing science and are excited to offer this
incredibly unique learning opportunity. Whether scientist or carpenter, retired grandma
or inspired student, all will be considered through our application process. Just tell us a
little bit about yourself. We will ask about your skills, but nothing is required. If you have
a skill to share or a story to tell, please let us know. Students over 15 are considered
with parental consent. We will book only 12 slots per day.
REGISTRATION ONLINE
noyocenter.org/orca/
LODGING
Whether camping, staying in a hotel/motel/inn, or finding an Airbnb, securing lodging
will be up to you. Things tend to book up quickly in summer.
GE NERAL QUESTIONS & LOGISTICS
NATALIE HENDERSON: [email protected]
SHEILA SEMANS (Executive Director): [email protected]
Student intern hard at work
ABOUT US
WWW.NOYOCENTER.ORG
PO BOX 1321
The Noyo Center for Marine Science has a mission to inspire ocean conservation
through education, exploration, and experience. Although we are still planning for our
marine center on the Noyo Headlands, Noyo is NOW. Through classroom and field
education, citizen science, coastal stewardship, and critical research, we are bringing
marine science to the Mendocino coast. This killer whale will become the featured
exhibit in a soon-to-opened interim science center in downtown Fort Bragg. The Noyo
Center first brought these articulators together in 2015 for a community workshop that
resulted in 2 beautiful sea lion skeletons.
FORT BRAGG, CA 95437
(707)-733-NOYO