NOAA 200th Upcoming Events
Throughout the year, NOAA will be hosting an array of events around the country to celebrate the agency's 200-year history. This page lists some of the events scheduled in the coming months. Specific dates, locations, and details are listed for some events; for other events, planning is ongoing and additional information will be added as it is available.
For additional information, please contact noaa200thevents@noaa.gov.
NOAA on the Hill/Congressional Reception
March 21
Washington, DC
This event will raise awareness of NOAA's heritage for current members of congress and introduce NOAA's mission and goals for newly elected principals and staff. The event will tell the story of 200 years of science, service, and stewardship and look to future. Members of the Coast & Geodetic Society will provide a unique connection to the origins of NOAA showing the roots as America's first science agency.
Pacific Islands Event
March 24-25
Oahu, Hawaii
This event will encompass all that the Pacific Islands have to offer, with an emphasis on community involvement, education, and stewardship. NOAA will sponsor an event hosted by the Honolulu Tourism Bureau at a Waikiki beach park. The two-day event will feature concerts for entertainment, movies each night, and a festival setting for visitors to learn about NOAA heritage—past, present, and future.
National Space Symposium
April 9-12
Colorado Springs, Colorado
The National Space Symposium will feature a NOAA 200th Celebration branded exhibit coordinated by NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service. There will be an additional NOAA 200th space showcasing the winners of the NOAA 200th Celebration Student Art Contest. The winners will be judged by scientists at the Boulder Lab and winners will be featured in an exhibit/gallery walk setting. Students will be able to visit the NOAA exhibit booth and gallery walk booth during the conference.
Wreath Laying Ceremony
April 13
Washington, DC
The Department of Commerce and NOAA will each lay wreaths at the Jefferson Memorial honoring, Thomas Jefferson and his integral role in founding the Survey of the Coast in 1807. Secretary Gutierriez will speak.
Gulf of Mexico Event
April 14
Dauphin Island, Alabama
At this celebration of Discovery Day along the Gulf Coast, participants will have an opportunity to explore the rich coastal heritage along the Gulf as we look ahead to rebuilding resilient coastal communities and pastimes.
Salute to NOAA
April 17
Tampa, Florida
The Tampa chapter of the U.S. Propeller Club, the largest chapter in the U.S., is sponsoring a "Salute to NOAA" event. The event will include a dinner hosted at the Davis Island Women's Garden Club in downtown Tampa.
Monticello Origins Event
May 31
Charlottesville, Virginia
On the evening of May 31, 2007, at President Thomas Jefferson's mountaintop home of Monticello, NOAA and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation will jointly celebrate 200 years of science, service, and stewardship. This event will honor NOAA's contributions to science and service and President Thomas Jefferson's vision in creating the Survey of the Coast—America's oldest science agency.
Keel Laying Ceremony for NOAA SWATH Coastal Mapping Vessel and NOAA Fisheries Vessel #4
June 15
Moss Point, Mississippi
From Sea to Shining Sea: 200 Years of America's Coast Survey Poster Exhibit
Opening June 21
Nationwide
As part NOAA's 200th anniversary celebration, NOAA and the Smithsonian Institution have partnered to offer a free poster exhibit, "From Sea to Shining Sea: 200 Years of America's Coast Survey" to museums, community centers, libraries, and parks nationwide. This 20-poster set explores the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey's history, accomplishments, and scientific contributions. Two hundred venues across the country will receive the poster sets for a mass opening on Thursday, June 21, the first day of summer and World Hydrography Day!
NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations Alexandria Event
July 25-26
Alexandria, Virginia
Pacific Northwest Event
July
Seattle, Washington
Part of this event will feature the Treasures of NOAA's Ark exhibit and placement of a National Geodetic Survey (NGS) marker at the Pacific Science Center. The event will also include an opportunity to visit an Office of Response and Resortation restoration field site.
Iowa State Fair
August 9-19
Des Moines, Iowa
NOAA's presence at the Iowa state fair will provide outreach to non traditional audiences on a major scale. The large number of visitors will learn about NOAA and the services it provides to the American public.
Discover Alaska
August
Juneau, Alaska
This event will feature the dedication and ribbon cutting of the Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute and include the unveiling of an NGS marker.
Launch of NOAA Ship Pisces
August
Moss Point, Mississippi
NOAA in the Great Lakes
September 14-15
Chicago, Illinois
This event will begin with a constituent roundtable held at the Shedd Aquarium, on Friday afternoon. The roundtable will gather high-level representatives from federal, state, and local government agencies; private industry; and non-governmental organizations. On Saturday, a fair will highlight NOAA’s 200-year history of working in the Great Lakes Region, with special emphasis on the challenges facing the region today and what NOAA and others can do to address them.
NOAA 200th Gala
October 9
Washington, DC
San Diego Maritime Heritage Conference
October 9-12
San Diego, California
This three-day conference will include up to 20 panel discussions and sessions on NOAA-related topics, including sanctuaries, origins of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, weather, satellites, and fisheries.
NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center Narragansett Laboratory/University of Rhode Island Celebration Event
October 27
Narragansett, Rhode Island
This all-day conference will celebrate NOAA's 200th anniversary by recognizing NOAA's ground-breaking research on Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) and the rich history of NOAA-influenced ocean science research. The conference will be held at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, in partnership with NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center Narragansett Laboratory. The conference will bring together K-12 educators, ocean scientists, and the public and will include plenary sessions on LMEs and the history of the New England ocean science enterprise. Concurrent sessions in the afternoon will allow scientists and educators to interact in discussions of on-going research. Special sessions for educators will provide opportunities to discover ways to incorporate NOAA research into curricula. There will be a preview of a new high school science unit on LMEs, developed by Rhode Island high school teacher Christine Kirch and staff at NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center Narragansett Laboratory. Participants will receive copies of the high school science unit as well as copies of the new DVD, Turning the Tide.
Boulder Event
November 8
Boulder, Colorado
A National Geodetic Survey marker will be part of a memorial garden built by NOAA staff and local partners as an ongoing salute to NOAA and its mission on the grounds of the Boulder Lab. A ceremony featuring NOAA leadership; local, state, and federal partners; Members of Congress; special constituents; and memoirs from the Coast and Geodetic Society will take place in the newly built garden. A kiosk will be built as a lasting education tool for those visiting the garden.
New England Event
November
Massachusetts
Mauna Loa 50th Anniversary Event
November
Hawaii
200th Finale and Awards Ceremony
December
Silver Spring, Maryland
In December of 2007, we will close out the year-long 200th Celebration by hosting a NOAA-wide gathering. As part of the town-hall style event, there will be a time capsule buried, a short movie highlighting events and accomplishments of 2007, and the presentation of awards. NOAA employees will be able to participate at the Silver Spring Metro Complex or via Webcast.