Seward Association For The Advancement Of Marine Science

The Alaska SeaLife Center is a unique organization that provides a center point for marine eduation and learning. It has unique exibits that thrill both in-state and out-of-state visitors and is a cornerstone for the commuity in Seward. There is a tremendous value to having such organizations revitalize the public's interest in the wonders of the ocean and the promotion of ecosystem conservation.

We are proud to be supporters of such a magnificent facility. Even though we live 100 miles away, we visit often and it is a 'must' on our list when we have visitors. The research, rescue, education, and entertainment provided here are priceless. We visited Sea World in San Diego and were both surprised and pleased to find that the Alaska SeaLife Center is more impressive!

I have collaborated with the Alaska SeaLife Center on a variety of projects involving ocean science and environmental measurements. The Center staff are competent and motivated to advancement of marine science in Seward and in Alaska. The Center's managers are forward-thinking and willing to branch out from the core mission. I'm proud to have worked with the Alaska SeaLife Center and hope to continue to do so.

Even though we live more than 100 miles from Seward, we maintain an annual membership to the Alaska SeaLife Center. We are very proud to support this beautiful, educational facility and the research that is done there. We have guests from the Lower 48 every summer and AKSC is always on our "must see" list of places to share with them. Because the exhibits and presentations change frequently, we don't just drop off our guests, we visit the center with them.

We are local Bed and Breakfast owners and are thrilled to have a facility of the Alaska Sealife Center in our community for guests to experience. Our grandchildren and personal family visitors put a visit to the center as a main activity when in Seward. Nothing beats the memory of my 3 year old granddaughter up past to her elbows touching the sea life - even though her sweater was still on!

After 13 years living and working (and volunteering) in Alaska, the Alaska Sealife Center is among our favorite places to visit regularly. It is an exciting learning experience unlike any other. Our ecosystems can only be understood and respected through real scientific research; and the ASLC provides such by studying marine populations and passing on the knowledge to the public. In addition to education, it offers vital rehabilitation to animals in need.

The Alaska SeaLife Center holds a special place in my heart. I first visited the Center when I was a teenager, and now that I'm a young adult I still hold that same interest. Every time I visit the Center, I learn something new about the ocean, life in the sea, and useful information to making our environment a better place.

The Alaska SeaLife center is one of the high lights of our campus visit program for prospective students. Our students really enjoy comparing their combined weight with the sea lion and sticking their hands in the touch tank. Keep up the good work and i forward to bringing another group down soon.

We have enjoyed the Sea Life center since it opened. Now that my kids are teenagers, they still like to visit, and we are members. My personal favorite activity is to go downstairs and watch the birds "fly/swim" under water. The puffins are so graceful even though they are kind of awkward in the air! My kids love the sea lion that seems to play with the people watching through the glass. Every time I go, there is something different to see and I always learn something. We love it!

We became members of the Sea Life Center when we had our little girl. She has enjoyed it since she was only 4 months old. She loves to look at the fish up close and really enjoys the birding area with all the sea birds. We know she will learn a lot from all the displays as she gets older. We go at least once each time we are in Seward--sometimes 2 or 3 times!

A trip to the Alaska SeaLife Center was part of one of my first college classes when I came to Alaska. I enjoyed the many displays and getting to see things that not everyone in the world gets to see (ex. what the birds look like when they are diving under the water). Over the years I have enjoyed all of my visits and have been fortunate enough to participate in their internship program and work with the ASLC on a school project. My internship experience was amazing and allowed me to visit and be part of a number of departments within the center. Although I will always be an aquarium nerd I must admit the center opened my eyes to how cool marine mammals and birds can be too.

The Alaska SeaLife Center is an incredible that combines scientific research with an outstanding educational program. In addition, it provides an economic engine for the community of Seward by encouraging tourists to spend extra time there. The Center's ability to rehabilitate marine mammals and water fowl and return them to their natural habitat when possible is heartwarming. The Center is blessed with outstanding leadership and a caring, hardworking staff.

I have held a membership with the Alaska Sealife Center for many years and always enjoy a trip to the center. While the mission is stongly focused on education, research and rescue, a visit carries all the pleasure of any large aquarian with a much smaller facility. They are truly a gem for Alaska in all ways. The staff is first rate, always welcoming, always ready to teach young and old alike.

I am a homeschool parent and the Sealife Center is always part of our curriculum every year. The staff is knowledgeable and shows a passion for their work that makes you want more. My seventh grade son is wants to go to school for marine biology and he always has a list of questions when we arrive. The staff takes their time and explains all answers in detail. We have lived in cities where there were bigger centers but have learned that bigger is not better. The Seward Sealife Center continues to strive for an excellence that always exceeds our expectations.

My wife and I have enjoyed visiting the Alaska Sea Life Center for years. Since moving to Anchorage we make the trek at least four times a year. The first part of the experience is the drive. It is just incredible.

Once at the Sea Life Center you find all of these amazing exhibits. Almost anything you want to see is there, and you will find some surprises as well.

The staff is awesome. Always ready to help and answer your questions. I am sure they hear the same questions time and time again, but you would never know it. Very friendly and cordial.

I always enjoy a trip through the Alaska SeaLife Center; year after year it evolves and improves. It is an excellent adventure for visitors from out of state and helps me to share my excitement about Alaska and it's wild inhabitants. I especially love the tanks where you can observe wildlife swimming. This facility is so rich and engaging that I got a family pass this year so we can go as often as we like. We are looking forward to meeting Eden, the new Sea Lion. And, I have to admit, I look forward to spending money in the gift store. They have excellent educational products, and I like to gift shop there. I feel good about spending money to help support the Alaska SeaLife Center.

Where do we go when we have a weekend? The Alaska Sealife Center in Seward Alaska. My granddaughter and I drive down as often as possible, as she loves to come and visit. Her favorite is the tank where she can touch and feel the starfish and sea cucumbers. The staff is great and their love of the kids and of course the sealife is obvious. We enjoy watching Woody, the many fish and of course the birds. I can't wait for the opportunity to bring my other grandchildren. We enjoy not only knowing that marine animals are being saved, but the education which is available. Keep up the good work. We will be back.

The Alaska Sealife Center is a world-class facility! We are lucky to have such beautiful and informational exhibits in our small town. I know there are several exciting science and research projects that are conducted "behind the scenes" and I would like to know more about these. The facility is a great place to spend a few hours, and the salmon exhibit is really informative for everyone. I'd love to see some updated information about Salmon returns to Resurrection Bay. Some additional information on local whale species and research following the EXXON Valdez Oil spill would be good too.

We have lifed in Alaska f ro 5 years now and have visited Seward twice. We are a family of 4, 5 and 4 year kids. We went to visit the Sea Life Center for the first time this past summer. The staff was wonderful, offering us a family membership that saved us money too. Loved the gift shop, could have bought one of everything! We get great emails on events and happenings. I wish we lived closer so we could go more often. I absolutely love sea life and the ocean. Our whole family does. It is really wonderful to have the opportunity to share this love with our children.

The Seward SeaLife Center is one of a kind. I have sat in front of the glass watching the Stellar sea lion for hours. More fascinating are the families and kids who come and go -- some sit down in front of it and watch for nearly as long as I do. Many children are absolutely awed at the sight of this magnificent, gigantic mammal swimming effortlessly past them, again and again, from different directions. Children learn so much about our ocean animals through the wonderful, well-planned SeaLife Center. I live in Anchorage, a two-hour drive away (one-way), and won't miss stopping in to see what's new. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, and it is always a real treat to visit. Who would think that our state would have such a great facility! Keep up the good work, ASLC!

The Seward Sea Life Center is fabulous. My young children still remember a great deal of what they experienced in the hands on setting they offer. Tide pools with sea life to touch. Touchable exhibits. The life cycle of salmon, etc. A great way to learn more about Alaskan/Arctic wild life.

My family and I spent a very enjoyable day at the Alaska SeaLife Center -- the exhibits appealed to the adults and kids and taught us a lot about conservation efforts, sea life, and rehabilitation efforts -- in a very fun and engaging way. We were mesmerized by how close we could get to the animals and birds - please save time just to observe! It was the highlight of our visit to Seward and I'd recommend it to everyone -- don't miss it!

The Sea Life Center is a great place to go on a rainy day in Seward or a cold day in Seward, matter of fact-it's a great place to go any day in Seward. I love watching the puffins swim underwater or Woody come darting past the big window or the touch tank.
And the human educators are very helpful, as well.
it's a fabulous place for the family and we are lucky to have it in our small town.

The ASLC is a place of awe and wonder for all who have the opportunity to visit. When we first moved to the Kenai Peninsula I was amazed to hear about the Sea Life Center and my admiration continues to grow towards both the facility and staff each time we have the opportunity to visit. Our children (ages 4,4,6,8) have enjoyed learning about marine animals and conservation - especially with the touch pools. This past year we purchased a yearly pass - which was incredibly affordable. The staff is highly educated, available and strive to make sure everyone is getting the most out of their visit. Our children are in love with "Woody" the Stellar Sea Lion and run downstairs each time to watch him! Our oldest daughter's class this year will get to go there for their field trip and she couldn't be more excited! We are so fortunate to have such a top notch marine facility that is so family centered - teaching children at a young age about marine animals impacts more than just the community, it impacts society. I am very grateful for everything the Sealife and Seward does for both Alaskans and tourists year long!!!

My kids and I love roaming around the Sealife Center. Lots to see, do and explore. We learn something new every time we visit. The staff is great answering our questions. We especially love the outdoor bird exhibit and the touch tank. And the giant octopus! And the king crab and bottom fish! We also like hearing about the rescued animals.

The Alaska SeaLife Center is a top-notch research and education institution. We are so fortunate to have such a world class center in Alaska. They have cultivated stellar partnerships with many others working in Alaska on marine issues.

The Alaska SeaLife Center is located in Seward which is approximately 3 hours by car from Anchorage. This provides an ideal getaway for locals as well as an informative, enjoyable, and beautiful attraction for our out of state visitors.

We can not visit Seward without one of my three kids saying "we have to go to the Sealife Center", it is always fun and informative, of course my favorite is the petting area, where we get to touch all the sealife!

As a mother of two who frequents the ASLC, I am always amazed at how I always learn something new everytime we visit! The staff is ever present, and always sharing something educational, interesting, and often awe-inspiring! We always leave feeling more aware about our own environment, as well as inspirired to do more for our community. And where else can you meet the only elgible sea lion bachelor in the whole US?! (see what I mean- something interesting huh?!)

As an intern, the SeaLife Center provided myself with the skills and knowledge about how to work in an aquarium. They have an excellent staff who know a lot about their field of study. The Center provides guest excellent animal encounters and educational experiences by bringing the waters of Alaska to them.

The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is an integral part of the education community, providing unique and worthwhile experiences for students from all over Alaska. Each your ASLC presents themed lessons to all of Seward's elementary students, and to students traveling to Seward from other areas. These lessons are well received by all and serve to create interest and knowledge in marine science among our young people. At the high school level, ASLC provides coaching for Seward's National Ocean Science Bowl Team and this year is sponsoring a student group for the Coastal America Summit. In all of these cases, ASLC plays a crucial role in student achievement in the sciences.

As a Kindergarten teacher in Seward, I have witnessed the outstanding education programs the Sea Life Center has to offer. The education they provide is exploratory, hands on, placed-based, interactive, and reflective. The lessons they provide to visiting school groups are well thoughtout; clearly incoporating standards, learning styles, and multi-intelligences.

As an interested citizen in the Seward Community I have enjoyed learning more about our local environment through the displays at the Sea Life Center. It is a gift to be able to learn about and observe all of the details of what exist in, on, and around our waters. The displays are informational, eye-capturing, and interactive.

I am thrilled and privileged to be a part of the ASLC team. Their long history and current efforts in marine research, rehabilitation, and education exemplify Alaska marine science. Their mission is complex, but they execute it admirably. The combination of talented people and top-notch facilities, in a fantastic location, make the Center a real treasure for Alaska, America, and the world.

The Sealife center is a great educational experience and an Alaskan Gem, not just for tourists but for our own Alaskan community. It brings the children closer to the animals and makes them think of conservation. Well run, Alaskan Gem

The Alaska Sealife Center is a great asset to the State of Alaska. It has raised and continues to raise awareness of the interdependence of our local marine and ecological systems. The center's service to the community and schools has been generous and informative.

The Alaska Sealife Center is a top notch facility. It is a huge asset to Seward and their visitors. As a retail business in Seward we hear input from people that live and visit our town. We have heard nothing but GREAT feedback regarding the Alaska Sealife Center.

The Alaska SeaLife Center plays an important and unique role in the state. Its education program, which reaches school groups and teachers, as well as the general public, stresses the urgent need for understanding and conserving Alaska's marine resources, which are vital for the long term health and sustainability of its beautiful environments as well as for the Alaskan economy.
As the only animal rehabilitation center in this vast state, it has become a focal point because of its expertise in animal husbandry and animal rehabilitation. Thus, it is poised to respond to various kinds of environmental emergencies as no other institution can.

Last, and centainly not least, its role and importance as a research institution is vital to the state and to the nation . The work that has been done on animal populations in the Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea and other areas is critical to the sustainability of its animal populations and of the Alaskan economy. Because of its geographic location, it can easily address important research questions about such things as variation in the productivity of the artic waters. In addition, as a public place that houses research scientists and exhibits the animals used in their research projects, it is positioned to give its visitors insights into the ongoing process of research itself.

Clearly this unique institution is worthy of support.

I had the fortune of visiting the SeaLife Center while I was on vacation in last year. My husband and I were so impressed with the center, their mission and their execution that we will be life long donors. As a board member for the Berks County Humane Society, I know how difficult it is for a non-profit to compete with a for-profit organization, the Alaska SeaLife Center was on-par with any major zoo / aquarium we'd seen in the lower 48 and the staff was even better in their interaction with the patrons.

I work as a volunteer in the Marine Mammal Stranding Network in Homer, Alaska. The Alaska SeaLife Center, most notably its Rescue & Rehabilitation program and staff, the octopus and marine mammal encouters, and the harbor seal and Stellar sea lion displays, is amazing!

The Sea Life Center is one of the shining stars of Alaska. I have visited the Center many times as it is one of our favorite spots to take Alaska visitors and just to visit and see what is new. It is very educational and after all education is what is vital when it comes to the environment and protecting that environment. The research they do is vital to a healthy marine ecco-system and the creatures who live in that system. One of my most enjoyable visits was with my grandchildren, who live in Austin, Texas. They learned so much that day and for several days after they drew pictures to share with friends at home.

I am not an expert in any area of marine biology but thanks to the Sea Life Center, I am an informed layperson.

Vivian K.

I worked at teh ASLC as an Intern in the stranding and rehabilitation department. I have to say it was by far the best experience in my entire life. The staff at the ASLC are always so helpful and involved in every aspect of teaching and education. I learned more through their internship program over the course of four months then I think I did in my entire four years at college. There is no better experience then real hands on learning from people who really know what they're doing. Even staff members of other departments were always willing to help out with anything. I always enjoyed going into the center on my days off. Something about being surrounded by the tourists with all their smiles and seeing them interact with all the staff who also always seemed to be wearing smiles made me feel so good about everything that takes place in the center. It truly is a magical place filled with amazing creatures and wonderful people!

I worked at the Sealife centre as a volunteer in the Avian Department in the captive breeding program for steller and spectacled eiders from may to july 2008. It has become one of the most memorable experiences of my life to date. The people are amazing, friendly and so welcoming, and I can't wait to come back one day and visit or volunteer again. I was captivated by the eiders in the program and I watched a hatchling for 8 hours without leaving its side only to see it had to be put down due to birth defects of its limbs the next day. I was heartbroken beyond measure, as was the team. But it made me realise how much I just want to help, and over my time at the centre I fell in love with these species and every other species the centre try to help rehabilitate. The passion of the people who work and volunteer there is incredible and life changing and has a massive ripple effect. They endure the toughest of times and celebrate the best of times when they succeed. They do an amzing job, I wish I could have stayed a lot longer. My last night there I felt like i was leaving my home and it was hard to go. I will return there one day soon. It holds a special place in my heart as do the people i met and worked with.

The ASLC is a most enjoyable place to visit with some of Alaska's amazing sealife on display. The center does not only provide a fun place to visit, but it is also very educational and its research and rehabilitation programs will hopefully ensure that those beautiful creatures will be around for many more generations to see.

I look forward to each volunteer experience I have at the Alaska SeaLife Center. The facility is wonderful and is always filled with exciting marine life, new exhibits and caring and professional staff! The research at the Center provides relavent information that addresses key arctic marine mammal and ecosystem questions that arrise at within the state as well as arctic-wide. The Center is a vital facility for the state of Alaska providing critical lab space for both marine researchers of today and those young people [students and interns] it inspires for tomorrow. I beleive more funding would enable the staff at the Center to reach its full potential answering the growing questions that marine species and the people that depend on them face in the changing arctic environment.

The SeaLife Center is a unique institution in Alaska. It's a great hands-on place for kids and adults to see and experience the marine ecosystem of the sub-arctic.

Through my affiliation with the US Arctic Research Commission, I have come to appreciate the great work done by the Alaska SeaLife Center. They are first rate, and a real asset to the scientific research community, as well as an educational gem. Their marine mammal rehabilitation program is among the best in the world.

I have dealt with the Alaska SeaLife Center as the Science Liaison for the US Coast Guard for the Pacific, and for the CG Icebreakers. I have given a talk at ASLC to coordinate efforts between CG-supported science and ASLC activities, and to coordinate educational outreach opportunities between CG icebreakers making port calls in Seward, Alaska, and ALSC tours, talks, etc.
I have found the ASLC to be extremely well managed, and to have a strong leadership impact within the State and local communities in leading public discussion and thought on important ocean issues, of which Alaska has many.

As a local resident of Seward I have many opportunities to witness the workings of the Alaska Sea Life Center. I am always impressed by the fun, yet informative displays found at the Center. The ability to view such a variety of sea life in a realistic environment makes learning very enjoyable. As lodging providers we are constantly hearing praise about the Center from our guests who visit it.
If I had to make one suggestion, it would be to try to lower the cost of admission. While I know that the funds are used very efficiently, some of our guests have been put off by the cost of admission.

The Marine Science Center in Seward is one of the Highlights of our Alaska Tours. We send about 150 of our guests through here each season. The knowledge of the staff and their willingness to share their obvious dedication to the animals and inhabitants of the Alaskan waters is evident everywhere. The facility is clean and the signage is very informative to both the casual visitor and the more informed. The layout of exhibits helps the visitor understand the relationship of the animals to the environment. We have taken the behind the scenes tour and backstage is clean and well cared for, as well. Very fun, educational and informative.