South Sound Marine Naturalist Training Program Upcoming

October 21, 22, 29 & November 4, 5, and 19

— from Tracie Merrill for Whale Museum —

Registration for the South Sound Marine Naturalist Training Program, presented by The Whale Museum, is now open. The program will run on the following dates: October 21, 22, 29 & November 4, 5, and 19. The objective of this program is to provide a learning experience that assists adult graduates in becoming qualified regionally as professional or volunteer naturalists.

Over the six days, classes will be held at various venues throughout the South Sound region of Washington (Puget Sound area): Northwest Stream Center – Everett; Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center – Seattle; Seahurst Park Environmental Science Center – Burien; NOAA Sand Point Office– Seattle; Highline College Marine Science and Technology Center – Des Moines; and The Whale Museum — Friday Harbor.

The main focus of the training is the ecology, current status, and conservation of Southern Resident Killer Whales and other local marine species as well as discussions about the Salish Sea ecosystem. The course includes presentations on cetaceans, pinnipeds, otters, intertidal invertebrates, seabirds, and other topics such as geology and marine conservation. Faculty includes Whale Museum staff, professional naturalists, marine scientists, and environmental educators active in the region. Students will also participate in a variety of field trips relating to the topics of study.

There are no prerequisites other than high school graduation and a sincere interest to learn. Students provide their own transportation to and from class and field trip venues, including ferry fare to Friday Harbor and associated lodging costs. Carpooling is encouraged. Tuition is $500 for non-museum members and $450 for museum members/orca adopters. Registration can be done online at whalemuseum.org/pages/marine-naturalist-training. For more information, contact Tracie Merrill, Education Curator by email at tracie@whalemuseum.org or by phone at (360) 378-4710 ext.23.