Whale Museum’s Marine Naturalist Training Program opens registration for 2026

||| FROM CONOR AGNEW for THE WHALE MUSEUM |||

The Whale Museum has opened registration for the 2026 spring and summer sessions of the Marine Naturalist Training Program! This course includes an in-depth treatment of the ecology and conservation of local marine species, presented by highly-trained local naturalists,environmental educators, and scientists.

There are two sessions for participants to choose from: a fully in-person Spring Session from April 14 to April 19, and a hybrid Summer Session, with virtual classes from July 7 to July 11, and optional in-person field trips from July 24 to July 26. Both sessions will be dynamic, high-quality experiences that leave graduates qualified as a regional professional or volunteer naturalist. 

The focus of the training will be on Southern Resident killer whales and other local marine species, as well as discussions about the environments in which they live. The course includes presentations on cetaceans, pinnipeds, otters, intertidal invertebrates, seabirds, and a variety of other topics such as geology and marine conservation.

Faculty includes Whale Museum staff, professional naturalists, marine scientists, and environmental educators active in the region.

For both sessions, field trip excursions will include a marine wildlife boat trip; birding; a geology hike; tide-pooling; visits to San Juan County Land Bank/False Bay/West side areas and Lime Kiln Point State Park; as well as tours of The Whale Museum and Lime Kiln Point State Park Lighthouse.

For more information or to register, visit whalemuseum.org.