SANTA BARBARA — Just steps away from the ocean, next to the Marine Science Building with a view of the Santa Barbara Channel, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for a new building dedicated to a new era in ocean studies.

The Outreach Center for Teaching Ocean Science facility will offer an interdisciplinary approach combining ocean science and environmental research with education. It will be open to the surrounding community as well, and will eventually go worldwide with virtual learning opportunities.

The groundbreaking ceremony was a culmination of years of planning — a partnership formed to put the study of the oceans in the forefront — with NOAA, the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Groundbreaking attendees included NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, University of California, Santa Barbara Chancellor Henry T. Yang and Congresswoman Lois Capps, who was credited for her work in making this a reality.

“Lois is a visionary, a friend and cheerleader, a champion for our community and the oceans,” Yang said. He also thanked Sen. Diane Feinstein for her work in getting a grant to support the project. He referred to the site overlooking the Santa Barbara Channel as “one of the world’s richest natural laboratories.”

In her speech, Lubchenco quoted President Barack Obama, saying, “Healthy oceans matter. With the challenges of ocean acidification and climate change, we need to instill in the nation knowledge and a passion for the oceans: a conservation ethic.”

“Few people experience the oceans directly – most, only from the surface. The new center will break that barrier,” Lubchenco said.

Lois Capps said that it is only the beginning of a new era for all ages to get involved in protecting and preserving the oceans. “The center will move us into a new era of learning, and the building will rise not just here on this site, but on students’ desks all across the country learning ‘virtually’ hands-on about ocean science and education. And, they will be able to create polices that will help create real solutions.”

The planned $12 million building will be completed in two stages. The first, to be completed in 2011, will be the Channel Islands Sanctuary new headquarters offices. The second stage of building will be the 7,500-square-foot Outreach Center for Teaching Ocean Science. Fundraising is ongoing for this project.

For information about NOAA and the National Marine Sanctuaries, visit www.noaa.gov.