TFFC to host Smithsonian exhibit
"Sea to Shining Sea" exhibit premieres nationwide June 21

Photo courtesy 111th Aerial Photography Squadron GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE WITH CRANES -- With little room to spare, a shipload of cranes passes under San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. A nearby tide gauge provides real-time readings to ship captains so they know when it is safe to pass.

ATHENS, Texas-The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center will join 11 other Texas locations in hosting a nationally significant Smithsonian Institution exhibit beginning June 21.

This exhibit, which will be shown in maritime museums, ports, aquaria, nature centers, schools, libraries and lighthouses, celebrates the history, accomplishments and scientific contributions of the nation's first science agency, "the Survey of the Coast," a predecessor agency of today's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The 20 colorful posters making up the exhibit are illustrated with photos, charts and artwork from the Survey's archives.

Every day, cruise ships sail from Miami; coal ships deliver to power plants along the shores of the Great Lakes; crabbing boats harvest Alaskan king crab in the Bering Sea; and weekenders prepare their boats for leisurely afternoons on the Chesapeake Bay. Each one of these mariners uses the resources of NOAA's Navigation Services to safely navigate U.S. coastal waters.

Photo courtesy NOAA TAKING MEASUREMENTS -- Working under rugged conditions with only basic tools, early Survey teams laid the foundation of knowledge about the nation's coastlines. In this 1921 photo, surveyors in southeast Alaska take coastline measurements.

In recognition of the landmark 200th anniversary of the establishment of the Survey of the Coast, NOAA and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) have created the exhibit, "From Sea to Shining Sea: 200 Years of Charting America's Coasts," which opens nationwide June 21. TFFC is one of 200 venues nationwide to be a part of this special celebration.

To view a complete list of host organizations, visit www.sites.si.edu/host/ fromseatoshiningsea.htm.

In 1807, President Thomas Jefferson recognized the need to chart the coastal waters of this country as vital to the independence and prosperity of the economy and to the security of this fledgling nation. With his foresight, Jefferson compelled Congress to pass an act establishing "the Survey of the Coast," a predecessor agency of today's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Survey of the Coast charted the nation's ports and waterways, researched physical characteristics of the ocean bottom, and explored many of the world's oceans. The organization was known for a tradition of perseverance, scientific integrity, engraving and charting skills and courage.

"This year we are proud to be holding a year-long celebration of 200 years of science, service and stewardship to the nation originating with the Survey of the Coast," said Captain Steven R. Barnum, director of NOAA Office of Coast Survey, which is one of the four offices that continues to carry out the original agency's mission. "We are honored that our partnership with the Smithsonian Institution has produced this vibrant depiction of our history to help us commemorate this distinguished occasion."

Today, waterborne commerce remains the backbone of the U.S. economy, contributing more than 13 million jobs and $1 trillion annually.

In the past two centuries, the Survey has mapped more than 95,000 miles of coastline, produced more than 20,000 nautical maps and charts, installed more than 6,000 tide stations, helped predict the movement of oil spills, established the Pacific Tsunami Warning System and maintained the national network of more than 1,000 GPS reference sites. Though the methods have changed through time, Jefferson's legacy lives on in NOAA's navigation services as they continue to benefit safety, national security and economic competitiveness.

An agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 60 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.

"From Sea from Sea to Shining Sea" is part of a series of anniversary events sponsored by NOAA. For more information, visit www.noaa.gov and www.celebrating200years.noaa.gov.

SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 50 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play.

Exhibition descriptions and tour schedules are available at www.sites.si.edu.

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department facility, is recognized nationally for its leadership in outdoor and aquatic education. In addition to 300,000 gallons of aquaria showcasing native species in recreated natural habitats, TFFC has a production fish hatchery that rears a substantial portion of the Florida largemouth bass stocked into Texas public waters each year.

It serves as the headquarters for the Budweiser ShareLunker program, which uses trophy largemouth bass to produce genetically superior fingerlings for stocking into Texas public waters.

It also serves as a center for hunter and angler education for the surrounding area. Nearly 40,000 people a year fish in the center's stocked casting ponds, and thousands more attend events such as Fly Fish Texas, Outdoor Fools Day, National Fishing Day, Fireworks at the Fishery and Halloween at the Hatchery.

For information on TFFC programs as well as directions and hours of operation, call (903) 676-2277 or visit www. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ spdest/visitorcenters/tffc/.