The Upper Newport Back Bay is an Ecological Reserve and a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and nature center. The ecological reserve system, authorized by the California Legislature in 1968, is designed to conserve areas for the protection of rare plants, animals and habitats, and to provide areas for education and scientific research. We are dedicated to educating about our unique coastal resources with an emphasis on the Upper Newport Bay. The Back Bay Science Center’s target audiences include Informal Education for: 7th-12th Grade and College Students.