Ocean Institute

While creating the Nickelodeon animated television show SpongeBob SquarePants, biologist and cartoonist Stephen Hillenburg drew inspiration from his time teaching at the Ocean Institute.

The institute also partners with the Lazy-W Ranch, a camp located in the Cleveland National Forest where students study the ecosystem and California history.

[3] The institute maintains two tall ships, the Pilgrim, a 130-foot vessel used in overnight and dockside programs, and the Spirit of Dana Point, a 118-foot topsail schooner.

[4] The Pilgrim and Spirit of Dana Point are showcased at the institute's largest annual event, the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival,[5] held in September.

[6] The Ocean Institute has an annual budget of $6 million, and employs 100 full and part-time staff members, as well as utilizing the services of hundreds of volunteers.