The National Aquarium in Baltimore will kick off its sixth annual marine conservation week, now known as “Beyond the Boardwalk,” on July 9 with events planned for Bethany Beach, Ocean City and Assateague Island.
Formerly known as “Ocean Awareness Week,” Beyond the Boardwalk is a six-day program (July 9-14) aimed to educate the public about the ocean and its inhabitants, and to encourage beachgoers to lessen their impact on ocean wildlife.
According to Jenn Dittmar, coordinator of the Aquarium’s Marine Animal Rescue Program, “Each event illustrates the importance of wildlife conservation and helps people get closer to nature here and at home.”
Among the events planned for that week are guided opportunities for beachgoers to learn about and to view marine artifacts during “Reach the Beach” days scheduled in Bethany Beach on July 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bethany Beach Bandstand.
Events will take place on the same day and at the same time at the Commander Hotel on 14th Street in Ocean City, and on July 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn at 67th Street in Ocean City.
At these events, National Aquarium staff and volunteers will acquaint the public with the wide variety of marine life that live on and just off the Delaware and Maryland coasts. They will display such marine artifacts as sea turtle shells, fin-whale vertebrae and a narwhal tusk.
Two other events that will take place in Ocean City during Beyond the Boardwalk week include an evening nature cruise on July 12, on board the boat Discovery, and a bonfire at the beach at North Division Street on July 13, which will feature speaker Chief Sewell Fitzhugh of the Nause-Waiwash Native American tribe, who will share stories and songs about the importance of conservation.
Assateague Island will be the site for a July 11 canoe trip on which marine life will be the focus. Interested canoers should gather at Assateague National Park at 4 p.m. for this two-hour trip. The National Aquarium in Baltimore will sponsor other events on Assateague Island on July 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of “Family Fun Day.”
A dolphin count will also take place as part of this marine-life week, along designated parts of the Maryland coast. Members of the public, guided by Aquarium representatives and other officials, will work together to spot and record the number of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins visible during a given period from various locations.
The week will conclude with dinner at Seacrets Bar and Grille at 49th Street and the Bay in Ocean City; all proceeds collected will benefit the Aquarium’s Marine Animal Rescue Program. (More information on the week’s events provided below):
Beyond the Boardwalk
Sunday, July 9: Sundaes in the Park, 6-8 p.m., Northside Park — 127th & Bay, Ocean City
Monday, July 10: Reach the Beach, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bethany Beach Bandstand (also at The Commander Hotel, 14th Street, Ocean City); Chill Out with the Aquarium, 7-9:30 p.m., Dumser’s Dairyland Drive-In — 49th Street, Ocean City
Tuesday, July 11: Family Fun Day, 10 a.m. is 3 p.m., Assateague Island; Canoe Trip*, 4-6 p.m. Assateague National Park, $10 ticket plus $10 entrance to park
Wednesday, July 12: Dolphin Count, 9 a.m. to noon at 10 sites along Maryland’s shore between the Delaware and Virginia state lines; Cruise on the Discovery*, early evening, leaving from Ocean City, $15
Thursday, July 13: Reach the Beach, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Holiday Inn, 67th Street; Bonfire at sunset (around 8 p.m.), North Division Street and the beach, Ocean City
Friday, July 14: It’s a Seacret!, 2-5 p.m., Seacrets Bar and Grille, 49th Street & Bay, all ages; Seacrets Fundraiser, 5-9 p.m., Seacrets Bar and Grille, all cover charges between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. benefit the Aquarium’s Marine Animal Rescue Program, staff will lead fun activities and give away prizes.