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Enjoy an afternoon of amazing animals, conservation, and fundraising. Ocean Connections is dedicated to inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world’s ocean through education. Our beautiful ambassadors will touch your heart while teaching your mind as we share an afternoon devoted to conservation awareness. Immerse yourself in a world surrounded by unique species for you to enjoy. Meet our animal ambassadors personally and experience animal interactions beyond your dreams. All proceeds raised directly benefit Ocean Connections education, conservation, and animal care programs. VIP guests will even enjoy the opportunity to meet our beautiful animal ambassadors personally. An experience unlike any you’ve ever imagined awaits you as you meet otters, penguins, cheetahs, and more! Special interactive photo opportunities are yours to enjoy. Meet the animals, professional trainers, and guest speakers as a VIP guest! Be ready for an amazing experience! Tickets are limited.  Reserve yours today by clicking here.

We love celebrating birthdays! Our seals and sea lions receive special enrichment and plenty of love from our animal care team.  Here's to all of our flippered friends getting another year older! April 11th - Diego turned 20 April 17th - Talise turned 11 May 15th - Scooter turned 28 May 22nd - Satara turned 30 May 28th - Harper turned 4 May 30th - Dash turned 6 May 31st - Cruz turned 3 June 1st - Grommet turned 12 June 9th - Cobh turned 5 June 10th - Cocoa turned 6 & Smoky turned 4 July 10th - Reese turned 9 July 14th - Ripley turned 10 July 18th - Toby turned 11 July 19th - Lovell turned 9 July 21st - Moana turned 8                                                                                                                                      

Meet Abby! Adult female California sea lion Born in June 1986 Average weight is approximately 220lbs Arrived at Ocean Connections October 2011 on a collaborative breeding loan with the Chicago Zoological Society. Abby is one of our oldest and most beautiful sea lions. With her blond fur, Abby is easy to spot swimming in  the pool with her other flippered friends! She came to us on a breeding loan from the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, IL where she had spent most of her life. Working collaboratively with accredited zoos and aquariums allows us to ensure genetic diversity among our pinniped population. Abby integrated easily into her new pinniped family and appears to enjoy sunning with the adult female sea lions, snuggling with Slick during the evenings and occasionally playing with one of our youngsters. There is no doubt that Abby enjoys training! She is anxious to learn new behaviors and is always ready for her training sessions. Abby is definitely a fan of enrichment sessions, especially if we include fish or gelatin into play devices. With her eager personality and relaxed demeanor around guests, she is a star in our summer interactive programs and a show favorite.    

Oceans of Fun is excited to announce that we are expecting a second California sea lion pup this year!  Veterinarians at the Milwaukee County Zoo have confirmed and are continuing to monitor through ultrasound the development of Geneva first pup!  Birth is a miracle with many uncontrollable variables for both mother and pup however our team is optimistic and busy preparing Geneva for success through training.  Based on the pup’s size and heart rate, we plan to see our pinniped family grow early this June. Animal care is our highest priority and it’s important for our veterinary staff to monitor Geneva’s pregnancy. Our animals and trainers share a very trusting relationship. This allowed us to train Geneva to cooperate in a voluntary ultrasound. By training voluntary medical behaviors, such as ultrasounds, we can ensure veterinary visits are comfortable and positive experiences for our expectant mother. A sea lion’s gestation, or pregnancy, will last 12 months, including a 2-3month period of embryonic diapause. This means the fertilized egg lies dormant for the first few months before the egg implants.  Once implantation occurs there is an additional 9 months of fetal growth.. This delay ensures that pups are born at the same time each year when conditions are ideal for mother and pup. We can expect our new pup to weigh 13-17 pounds at birth, but they will grow quickly! Our pup will grow big and strong while nursing from Geneva for the first 6-12 months of their life. An adult female will weigh around 200 pounds while males can reach weights of 600-900 pounds. Oceans of Fun is a dedicated breeding facility and we are currently home to three California sea lion pups. Two month old Zeus and two year olds Talise and Nalu cannot wait to share their pool with a new friend!

Relationships Forming a strong and trusting relationship between animals and trainers is the foundation to developing a successful positive training program! Spending time playing is not only fun but also allows us to provide each animal an individual training experience that sets them up for success while providing them the mental and physical stimulation they need on a daily basis. Animal Training At Ocean Connections we believe in positive reinforcement, meaning our animals get a reward anytime they do something correctly! To target simply means to touch. Utilizing these simple tools, we are able to train our animals a wide variety of behaviors.   A very important aspect of our training is husbandry care.  Our animals are trained to voluntarily assist in their own medical care by presenting their flippers, eyes, mouth and on a daily basis.  Some of the husbandry behaviors our animals know are laying out for x-rays or ultra sounds, presenting a hind flipper for a voluntary blood draw, and even brushing their teeth.  All of these husbandry behaviors allow us to provide medical care in a restraint free environment that is as comfortable for the animal as it is for the trainers and veterinarians working with them.  It is because of these husbandry behaviors that we are able to provide the best care possible for our animals.

How do we provide exceptional animal welfare? Ocean Connections is committed to providing exceptional animal welfare for the marine mammals within our care.  As an accredited member of the Alliance of Marine Mammals and Aquariums (ammpa.org), we adhere to the highest standards of animal care ensuring that the physiological, biological, psychological and social needs of our animals are always being met. From nutrition to reproduction, to behavior management and veterinary advancements, our team of trainers, veterinarians and animal care specialists are invested heavily in ensuring that the highest standards of care occur daily. Caring for seals and sea lions on a daily basis requires tremendous amounts of resources!   From a proper diet of fish to enrichment items, we are continually ensuring that our animals have everything they need to be happy, healthy and successful. Each of our animals can eat between 5-30 pounds of fish per day, so we can go through up to 150 pounds of fish each day during the colder months.  Now that’s a lot of fish! In order to provide our animals with the appropriate mental and physical stimulation they require, we create enrichment devices, otherwise known as novel objects, for our seals and sea lions to interact with and explore.  These enrichment devices are made out of a variety of materials including buoys, floating toys and car wash strips.  For our younger animals, providing baby pools allows us the ability to teach pups how to swim in a safe and controlled environment.  And pups always require “pup toys”, which are safe for a youngster’s play and exploration. Veterinary and husbandry care is also a vital part of caring for our animals.  Large scales are utilized to weigh our animals on a regular basis allowing us to monitor growth, weight and overall health.  A variety of specialized husbandry tools are required to transport, examine and treat animals routinely.  Digital portable x-ray machines are a tremendous diagnostic tool for marine mammals living in an aquatic environment.  Small portable ultra sound machines allow us to monitor the health and growth of a mother and pup during pregnancy.  All donations made to Ocean Connections go directly to animal care allowing us to provide exceptional and progressive animal welfare!   Our animal needs are both plenty and consistent.  We all appreciate your support! YOU can make a difference in the lives of the animals at Ocean Connections! < < Back to GIVING BACK

Ocean Connections is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring conservation awareness and public action for our world's ocean through education.  The goal of our Animal Care Internship further our mission by mentoring charismatic individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the following areas: Biology, Marine Biology, Psychology, Animal Behavior, Oceanography, Ecology (Environmental Protection), Education, and Communication. We offer both credit and non-credit internship opportunities. Ocean Connections offers three different seasonal terms for internships: Winter-Spring, Summer, and Fall-Winter.  There is a minimum hour requirement that varies depending on the location, term, and position you are applying for.  Daily schedules also vary based on animal care and program needs.  More specifications and details on this are embedded within each location's application listed below. Why Choose Our Program? If you are passionate about marine life, conservation, and the environment, our Animal Care Internship may be the correct fit for you.  Individuals chosen for our Animal Care Internship will experience: Diverse Opportunities - The Ocean Connections Internship introduces a variety of key aspects to working in the animal care field.  Individuals will gain experience with diet preparation, facility maintenance, and public speaking.  Our Animal Care Internship is a well-rounded experience that will broaden your understanding of animal training, care, education, and conservation. Expert Guidance - Animal Care Interns work alongside our Animal Care Specialists to learn about positive reinforcement, husbandry, enrichment, and environmental protection strategies.  This includes a four-part workshop series that delves into pinniped species information, reading animal behavior, animal training techniques and basic terminology, and professional conduct. Contribute to Conservation - From beach clean-ups to community outreach opportunities, Animal Care Interns will have opportunities to directly impact our environment.  Whether removing pollution from local waterways, or conversing with guests about how we can ensure these species are around for future generations to come, our Animal Care Internship contributes to our mission in various ways all throughout their term. Locations Ocean Connections provides marine mammal and animal ambassador programming in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee.  We have partnered with Hersheypark and Pirates Voyage to connect guests of all ages with a variety of species and to expand our educational reach.  Our Animal Care Internship is offered at all of our locations.   Deadlines for Application Term Term Length Appplication Deadline Summer Approximately  May 15 - Labor Day March 25 Fall - Winter Approximately September 15 - January 1 August 17 Winter - Spring Approximately January 15 - May 15 November 15 Due to the large number of resumes received and the limited number of positions available, we recommend getting your applications in as soon as possible for consideration.  Questions? Email us at education@oceanconnections.org.                    

Every day at Oceans of Fun we dedicate ourselves to the marine mammals in our family.  It is extremely important to us to provide the highest quality care, habitat, training, interactive programs, education and other factors vital to their welfare.  We follow strict guidelines set by the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the federal agency that licenses and inspects all marine mammal facilities in the United States as well as by our accrediting organization, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA). APHIS recently conducted an extensive review of their regulations.  Although the agency proposes some updates, their review demonstrated in many ways that marine mammal parks and aquariums in this country do an exemplary job.  Unfortunately, extremists opposed to animals under human care are already suggesting changes with the sole intent of putting us out of business.  We, the Alliance-accredited facilities in this country, are the experts in the field of marine mammal care.  Any modifications or enhancements we suggest are aligned with the welfare of our animals. The agency needs to hear from people like you who believe that Oceans of Fun and our colleagues take wonderful care of our animals.  We are asking you, our supporters, to please submit a personal comment to APHIS during the public comment period that is open from now until May 4, 2016. Click here for more information about the proposed rules.  Click here to submit a public comment. Points to Consider in Your Comment: Your connection/experience with Oceans of Fun and/or other marine mammal parks (i.e. frequent visitor, annual pass holder, veteran participating in a particular program, former/current student, member, one-time visitor, etc.) Thank APHIS for conducting the thorough review of existing regulations and for recognizing that marine mammal parks and facilities in the United States provide outstanding care and treatment of the animals in their families, including maintaining healthy habitats suitable to their needs. Draw from personal experience with the parks.  State your positive observations about the care and management of the animals. Share your positive interactive program experiences if you participated.  Tell how your experiences inspired your conservation actions.  Share what you noticed that was enriching to the animal during your visit. Explain why you feel their welfare was top priority. Share the educational value of your visit.  State the influence this had in your life. Sample Comment: Based on the reference points, a comment could read something like this: I am a long time member and frequent visitor Oceans of Fun in Milwaukee Wisconsin.  During my visits, I have participated in a number of pinniped interactive programs and also spent time watching many of their educational shows over the years.   In every instance, I was impressed by the staff’s dedication to loving and caring for the animals and the clean environments in which the animals live. It is clear to me that the seals and sea lions enjoy the sessions as much as the people.  They appear to choose to participate and are never forced. As a long time visitor, I have learned so much about the animals, the environment, and the importance of conservation.  They have inspired me to improve my personal actions in my daily life and in my support of the environment around me. I’d like to thank you for your diligent commitment to animal welfare.  I appreciate that you also recognize that U.S. marine mammal parks are dedicated to providing top quality care and public education and that you did not feel compelled to unnecessarily change regulations.  Thank you!  My deepest thanks to you for your ongoing support of Oceans of Fun.  If you have any questions about this issue and our request for your help, please don’t hesitate to contact me at Shelley@oceansoffun.org Warm regards, Shelley Ballmann President/ CEO Oceans of Fun

Application Submission Please submit the following documents to be considered for an internship position. Applicants considered for internships will be contacted to begin the interview process. This will include an interview with one of our animal care specialists as well as a performance portion. Internship Application Resume (include two references) Two Professional Letters of Recommendation Must be sent directly to Ocean Connections or submitted in a signed, sealed envelope with your other application materials. For Credit Internships Only Letter from Sponsoring Professor  Verifies your eligibility to receive college credit Please send all application materials to: Ocean Connections Intern and Volunteer Coordinator 10001 W. Bluemound Rd Milwaukee, WI 53186 For questions or more information please contact us here.

Nov 8, 2012 The team arrives!  Over the last day, a team of 12 of us gathered together in Lima Peru and began preparations to head South to Punta San Juan. Getting a late start we began our journey south mid day.  Traveling with 2 trucks and one car loaded with luggage, veterinary supplies and food we secured our possessions and headed south. For those of us new to the country, although this is a long car ride (we currently are on our 7th hour and still 2 hours from arrival), the trip has been amazing! The drive has allowed us the opportunity to make new friends as well as see a country far different that where we came from! Lima is very diverse both culturally as well as economically. the city is huge and for two hours we drove within its' limits following the coastline south. As we cleared the city the concept of traveling on a 2 lane road through the middle of a desert was fascinating. Often times we caught glimpse of the sea on our shoulders but for hours we traveled through magnificent sand hills the size of large foothills in the states. Occasionally we would travel through an oasis, a valley of plush green where the water coming from the Andies Mountains traveled to meet the Pacific Ocean providing plants and greenery in an otherwise vast sandy landscape.  Some of the towns we traveled through illustrated the hardships this country endures. However the scenery was spectacular and inspired much conversation as to native animals as well as environmental concerns and conservation projects.  Being so close to the equator the time of sunset is consistent and by 7:30 pm the sky was black however the number of stars lighting the sky was breath taking! Just as we arrived in the town of Marcona, the town encumbered a black out which created added fun in exploring our field house.  With vision limited, we were met by the sounds of surf, sea lions, birds which would have to wait until morning. Nov 9, 2012 Walking out onto balcony this morning we were met by a sight far more beautiful than could have been expected.  Our backyard is the ocean and we are surrounded by sharp jagged cliffs and a rocky beach area inhabited by South American sea lions that were playing in the surf, sunning and competing for territories. Just to the left of the sea lions we were greeted by a flock of penguins marching across the rocky cliff. Breath taking is an understatement. While the veterinarians readied supplies, we were treated to a tour of the reserve. Tracking over sand dunes, through an empty cormorant nesting site was amazing enough but nothing prepared us for the views from the blinds at the top of the cliffs.  Looking down we watched in awe as hundreds of fur seals, sea lions and penguins unaware of our presence, went about life.  The beauty was beyond me and I could have stayed for hours!  Juveniles playing, adults establishing territories, females nursing pups and youngsters engaged in a game of tag surrounded us……almost sensory overload. Everywhere we looked additional species came into view - Peruvian Boobies with chicks in nests, Red eyed Cormorants heading out to feed, Humboldt penguins curious of anything and everything around them.  The realization of where we were and what we were here for was overwhelming! Health assessments began in the afternoon.  This was a learning day for the newbie’s but nothing about the entire process was a surprise.  The same precautions were made, safety for everyone was a priority and responsibilities were distributed among the team.  The goal today was male South American sea lions.  We were fortunate and three adult males were darted, sedated and full health assessments preformed.  Ages were presumed between 5-7 years with the largest weighing 520 lbs.   Each animal received a complete workup with weights, measurements, blood samples, cultures, and tagging completed prior to our reversing anesthesia and releasing them back to the wild. Interestingly enough two of our animals looked to be in prime physical health while the last one appeared to be malnourished and possibly unhealthy.  While we were concerned over this animal’s health, he reinforced our purpose for being here completely.   There is much to learn here and it was rewarding to see the team working so smoothly on our first day.  Dusk arrived quickly and with the night in front of us to learn about processing samples we headed in.  With our first day exceeding expectations we rolled in to a busy night with preparations beginning already for a full day tomorrow!

We're very excited to announce that our female Atlantic harbor seal, Mango, is pregnant and expecting her first pup!  Mango and Bumper are our two harbor seals that educate the public during daily presentations at our sister facility located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania.  Bumper joined the Oceans of Fun family in 2012 from the Long Island Aquarium in New York and Mango joined us shortly after in 2015.  They both arrived on breeding loan in hopes that this day may one day come.  We are looking forward to Oceans of Fun's newest bundle of joy arriving in May of this year.  Learn more about Mango and Bumper by clicking on their names to take you to their biographies.  To view the full announcement video: click here. 

Please join us for an Adopt-a-Beach Cleanup on Thursday August 19th, 5:30pm to 7:00pm at South Shore Park Beach. Trash bags are provided, but please consider bringing a bucket or plastic bag from home to reduce the event's environmental footprint. Please bring gloves if you have them.

Spring has sprung and not only have the flowers started to pop up but so have a lot of changes around Oceans of Fun.  We are proud to announce the reception of our federal letter of approval to function as a non-profit organization.  If you have been following us on social media, you might recognize the name Ocean Connections.  This is the name of our officially registered 501(c)3 organization and we are excited to further our committment to the community and the environment.  Wednesday April 24th we were joined by Fox6 News Milwaukee and Ocean Connections President and CEO, Shelley Ballmann, to discuss what this transition means for our animals and our supporters.  View the exclusive look at their time with us by clicking here!

We offer a variety of interactive programs for participants of all ages.  If you or someone you know loves marine mammals, we have a program that allows you to get up close and personal with our seals and sea lions.  Whether staying dry poolside or dipping your toes in the water, the following interactive programs are guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a love for our flippered friends in your heart: Sea Lion Splash is offered for kids ages 5-10 and is a program that has been a favorite for many years.  Our junior trainers work with our educators, trainers, and animals while learning about our seals and sea lions, what goes into training our animals, and conservation.  Participants in these programs work poolside with our animals feeding them fish that they checked and bucketed themselves all while practicing some hands-on training with a target pole and a clicker!  Are you 13 or over and interested in learning about the world of marine mammal science in greater detail?  Check out our Job Shadow program and spend the day one on one with one of the members of our animal care team! Kids Summer Camps are something that every child (and sometimes parents, too!) look forward to every year.  Oceans of Fun offers the only marine mammal camp in the Midwest and we’ve recently made some fun changes to some of these programs!  Our camps are offered for children ages 7-13 and allow participants the unique opportunity of a life time.  Whether attending our 2-Day Animal Training Camp, 3-Day Mini Camp, or our 5-Day Sea Lion Explorer or Marine Voyager camps, participants get to know our animals and trainers extremely well through daily poolside interactions.  New this summer, is our Marine Voyagers Marine Mammal Careers Camp which will focus on all the professions revolving around marine mammals.  From trainers to veterinarians to educators, our campers will experience it all and even more!  From crafts to mock rescue and rehabilitation, our camps provide some of the best summer memories a child could ask for! Aquatic Adventure is a special program to Oceans of Fun since we were the first interactive pinniped facility in the nation!  Have you ever wondered what seals or sea lions feel like?  Have you ever wanted to get in the water with our animals? Look no further because this is the program for you!  Make waves and memories with our flippered friends after learning about our animals, training, and ways we can help make a difference for our world’s oceans and the many wonderful animals that call it home.   To read more about our programs or to make a reservation click here.  Spots go quickly so be sure to do it soon and remember that rescheduling is free up to fourteen days before your reservation date!

Bowie has arrived in Hersheypark! At approximately one month of age, Bowie was found severely malnourished and dehydrated on an east coast beach.  He was immediately taken to the NY Marine Rescue Center where the veterinary and animal care team worked diligently to help him regain his strength in hopes of returning him to the wild.  During multiple medical assessments, it was discovered that Bowie has microphthalmia or under-developed eyes which resulted in him being completely blind in his right eye and partially blind in his left eye.  Sadly, Bowie would not be able to hunt or avoid predators with this condition and was deemed non-releasable. Oceans of Fun, in partnership with Ocean Connections and Hersheypark, has committed to providing this handsome, sweet, boy a second chance at life.  Bowie was transported to our Hershey, PA location from the NY Marine Rescue Center and has begun bonding with our animal care team.  As he gains confidence and his training progresses, we will happily share updates with you all! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok so you can stay up to date with Bowie and all our flippered friends. We anticipate Bowie's expenses for his first year with us to meet or exceed $35,000. If you would like to support Bowie's rescue, check out the numerous ways to contribute below! Every dollar makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.    Donate On Our Website  PayPal  Purchase Bowie Merch  Venmo: @OceanConnections  Start a Fundraiser on Tiltify  Commission a Painting  

This year is proving to be a struggle, yet again, for California sea lion pups out in the wild. From January to Late-April 2015 alone, 2,700 pups stranded themselves along the California coast spanning from Santa Barbara to San Diego. This record breaking number is 20 times the average number of strandings and has already exceeded the total number of pups stranded in 2013 and in 2014, and we expect to continue to see stranding through the beginning of June. Stranding centers, such as the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA. are taking in as many pups as possible in hopes of rehabilitating them and releasing them back to the wild. The pups are coming into the centers extremely dehydrated, malnourished and most of them are extremely underweight for their age. The rescue centers are working around the clock to hydrate these animals and get them to the point where they are eating fish on their own. Once a pup has gained enough weight and appears to have no other medical conditions, it is released back to the ocean. Due to this dangerously high number of strandings, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has officially declared an Unusual Mortality Event (UME).  A UME was also declared in 2013, when a total of almost 1,300 stranding occured. The Maine Mammal Protection Act, established in 1972, states that a UME is “a stranding that is unexpected; involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal population; and demands immediate response.” Due to the increasing amounts of UMEs over the past several years, efforts to study carcasses and live stranded animals have increased dramatically. Through studying these strandings, researchers and facilities are able to gain a better understanding of pollution threats and stressors, as well as over all ocean health. These stranding are believed to be caused due to warming ocean temperatures.  The increase in water temperature results in prey fish having to move to deeper colder waters, which means mothers have to go deeper into the ocean for longer periods of time.  It also means that the mothers may not be producing enough milk for their pups.  Pups are of weaning age between 8 and 12 months, which is when they would typically begin  to prey on small bait fish. The pups who are not receiving the proper nutrition from their mothers, are trying to wean too soon; however,  they do not have the skill set needed to catch fish nor is the fish they would be able to eat present in large enough quantities to properly nourish the pups. The Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) is coordinating a support system of accredited facilities for the current UME and future UMEs. AMMPA is developing the ability to be a resource of communities the are able to react and respond to UMEs in order to assist with animal rescue, rehabilitation, release, and research when the need arises.  Ocean Connections is not only working to raise funds to help rehabilitate these pups, but we will also be sending some of our staff down to assist in caring for the hundreds of animals continuing to strand. Sources Marine Mammal Center: www.marinemammalcenter.org   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): www.noaa.gov   National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) www.nmfs.noaa.gov Images provided by the National Marine Mammal Foundation www.nmmf.org  

Grunts and growls, hoots and howls...this camp is wild! Sign your kids up for a journey of exploration, learning, and adventure this summer.  ZooAmerica offers exciting camp sessions for children of all ages, from preschool through high school.  Campers will leave with a greater appreciation for nature and a deeper understanding of the wild of North America. Back this summer, Zoo America's ZooCamp will include a visit to the Hersheypark Aquatheatre to meet the Ocean Connections seals and sea lions.  Participants will experience the magic of marine mammals up cloe through learning opportunities that support each camp's theme. Learn more or register today by clicking here.

Interactive Programs are Non-refundable Rescheduling: Rescheduliing may be done 14 days prior to the program date without penalty dependent upon availability. You may offer your program session to a friend of the same age if rescheduling is not possilble. Please alert us of any participant changes. All changes will need to be verified by Ocean Connections staff. If you need to reschedule  less than 14 days prior to your scheduled program, you may reschedule with a rescheduling fee. Reservation Rescheduling Fees associated with less than a 14 day notice are as follows. Summer Camp reservations will be charged a $50.00 rescheduling fee per reservation and are based on availability. All other program reservations will be charged a $25.00 rescheduling fee per reservation and are based on availability. If you miss a program due to a medical issue, you may provide a doctor’s note confirming care within two weeks of your missed program  to reschedule your program without penalty. All rescheduled programs are subject to program availability. Please access your Ocean Connections account to reschedule your programs. We do not issue refunds. If we cancel: In the event that Ocean Connections must cancel a  program due to based on weather restrictions or animal needs we will attempt to reschedule the program or extend a credit for a time which will work for you. If we are unable to do so, or if we cannot accommodate you in another session, you will receive a refund. COVID- 19 Rescheduling/ Cancellations: All efforts are being made to to provide programming under Milwaukee County Direction. In the event that a program can not run due to State or County restrictions, we will make every effort to reschedule the program, provide you credit for our upcoming season or credit for an operating program. All rescheduling will be handled on a case by case basis.

Do you know your carbon footprint? A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted by a person, household, building or a company and released into the atmosphere each year. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide can trap heat in the atmosphere and can have an impact on global climate change. Almost everything we do in our lives contributes to our carbon footprint. Anything that requires burning fossil fuels including heating and lighting buildings to driving your car can add to your carbon footprint. The increase in greenhouse gases can cause global temperatures to rise and change climates drastically. A major concern is ice melt resulting in the loss of habitat for animals and the rise in sea levels. Carbon footprints are a vital tool to understanding how human behavior and actions can affect climate change.  To test your carbon footprint, use the Carbon Footprint Calculator provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to see how you impact our world. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html   Ready to Take Action? You can reduce your carbon footprint and the impacts on our world by taking simple steps to reduce your carbon usage. Simple steps like carpooling and recycling can make a big difference in our world. If you are looking for a more active step to take, consider planting trees that can help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen to reduce greenhouse gases.  For more tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint, visit our Eco-Friendly Tips page! You can also consider purchasing carbon offsets. A carbon offset represents a reduction in carbon emissions somewhere else when you cannot make the reduction yourself. When you purchase carbon offsets, the proceeds help found a reforestation project or support renewable energy projects. All of these efforts work towards the goal of becoming carbon neutral.  To purchase a carbon offset, visit carbonfund.org!