The Ocean Portal is here – a unique, interactive online experience that inspires awareness, understanding, and stewardship of the world’s Ocean, developed by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History and more than 20 collaborating organizations.

Smithsonian's Ocean Portal helps us all to ensure that the world's Ocean is here for us to enjoy for years to come.

Click here to be among the first wave of visitors to the Portal, an experience which we hope will empower you to shape and share your personal Ocean experiences, knowledge, and perspectives. The Portal supports the Smithsonian’s mission to increase the public’s Ocean understanding and stewardship.

Whether you live near the Ocean or live far away, you can take positive actions to preserve and protect our world’s Ocean. There are opportunities to help posted throughout the Portal, as well as opportuntities to share your feedback on the experience.

Thanks for diving in!

What will you do to help the world’s Ocean? Please share.

If you haven’t seen the Ocean for a while, click here to learn more about cruise travel with Smithsonian.

Eruption of Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, Iceland. Photo: NASA/Goddard

Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program has been following the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull. Elizabeth Cottrell, a geologist at the National Museum of Natural History, spoke with Smithsonian about the nature of the volcano and the possible consequences of its eruption.

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/91838474.html#ixzz0mDB0LMaA

February is Black History Month, a great time to explore programs, exhibits, and resources at the Smithsonian. Here are a few ways to celebrate black history this month, and all year round:

1. Learn about The National Museum of African American History and Culture by exploring their website.
2. Visit the exhibit Indivisible: African- Native American Lives in the Americas at the National Museum of the American Indian.
3. Explore the Smithsonian African American Heritage Tour that combine objects from our collections with timelines, music and quizzes.
4. From Thursdays-Sundays on February 1-14 participate in the award-winning Historic Theater and learn about Student Sit-Ins during the Civil Rights Era at the National Museum of American History.

One native Washingtonian family special to our hearts here in our nation’s capital is the Scurlock family. Their photography studio captured iconic images of notable African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement, as well as many of DC’s everyday people.

Want to explore more about African American History up close and in person? Check out Word, Shout, and Song: Experiencing South Carolina’s Gullah Traditions presented by The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum.

How do you celebrate Black History Month? Share Below

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture  (NMAAHC) is scheduled to begin construction in 2012 and open in 2015. Meanwhile, a virtual museum is already open online.

In 2009, the Smithsonian began evaluating possible architects and selected the firm Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup to design the museum.

Now, a video taking you through the architecture, structure, and design of this innovative new museum is available for your viewing pleasure. Watch below and start counting the minutes until 2015, when you can experience it all live.

Did you know that we’re offering a trip to the Gullah Festival in Beaufort, SC? More information here.

What would you put in the new NMAACH?

Maybe you haven’t thought about Mongolia lately, but we’ve been keeping track of the news from the steppes.

Sunrise over a traditional Mongolian ger camp. Photo: David Chang

• Nomadic herders are embracing solar energy for their ger tents, helping in the fight against climate change.

• British adventurer Ripley Davenport will walk 1700 miles across Mongolia, from East to West, starting in April, 2010. His expedition will be the longest solo and unassisted walk ever attempted, and will raise funds for UNICEF’s children’s programs.

• Made in Mongolia, a line of handmade felt clothing, accessories, toys, and housewares, has launched  and grown with the assistance of the Irish government. MIM aims to allow Mongolian women and their communities greater self-sufficiency while preserving traditional crafting skills.

• 2010 is a great time to go to Mongolia, as the search for Ghengis Khan’s grave  continues and the Naadam Festival  beckons. Smithsonian Journeys will take you there.

What intrigues you about Mongolia?