ALPENA — The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary now has films and lectures planned for the rest of the year.

“It’s the first time we’ve launched both lectures and films,” sanctuary Media Outreach Coordinator Stephanie Gandulla said.

Gandulla said the sanctuary does programs all the time, but it’s the first to do a year long series. She said the lectures will include presentations from professionals, experts, scientists and its own sanctuary team. The films will focus on oceans and the Great Lakes.

“We thought doing a regular series would be a benefit to the community to continue to foster the sanctuary visitors center as a community center. This a place to come and hang out and explore the exhibits and a place to rely on educational and entertaining activities. There’s always something on Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center,” Gandulla said.

February is the first month for the series. It will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Heritage Center.

This will be presented by Shannon Martin of Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways in Mt. Pleasant, and Stacy Tchorzynski, State Historic Preservation Office. They will discuss the Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park. The park protects and interprets Michigan’s largest known collection of early Native American teachings carved in stone.

Gandulla said both the park and the sanctuary are part of Michigan History Center Museums and Historic Sites.

“We want to keep those partnerships alive. The petroglyphs are an amazing Great Lakes resource in Sanilac,” she said.

The movie “STRAWS” will be shown at 7 p.m. Feb. 23.

Gandulla said this movie is about plastic straws and how they impact our environment and pollute oceans and waterways.

Gandulla said for the most part the lecture series will take place on the fourth Thursday of the month and she hopes people take the time to watch.

Jordan Spence can be reached via email at jspence@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687.