Event Description

REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 12, 2026
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This is an intensive 4-day, in-person, classroom-based course. 

Since 2015, we have offered Marine Mammal Naturalist Courses to increase knowledge and inspire action for marine mammal conservation in British Columbia.

The aim is to reach those who can amplify the knowledge, skills, and ethics shared through the course within their roles and spheres of influence. This includes ecotourism naturalists, educators, science communicators, conservation advocates, members of the media, and those undertaking training for such roles.

Course content focuses on the common marine mammals of coastal British Columbia, going far beyond species identification and behaviour. The species will be ambassadors for broader environmental issues and ecosystem dynamics, and is grounded in science with an emphasis on strategies to effect positive change.

Course Criteria

• Commitment to course aims: It is expected that participants will be able to apply the information from the course to support and amplify marine conservation in British Columbia.  
• Prerequisite: All participants must have completed our free online Whale-Safe Boating Course prior to attending the Marine Mammal Naturalist Course (Modules 1 to 6). It is not necessary to have completed the supplemental “Species Detail” module. 
• Age requirement: Participants must be at least 18 years old.
• Attendance: Full attendance is required (no absences).

Course Outline:
9:00 to 5:00 daily with a 1 hour lunch break

• Introduction Activities 
• Marine Biodiversity of BC – from plankton to giants
• Classification and Adaptations of Marine Mammals 
• Sea Otters – natural history and conservation concerns
• The Value of Being a Marine Mammal Naturalist 
• BC Killer Whale /Orca Populations – natural history and conservation concerns
• Dolphins and Porpoises – natural history and conservation concerns
• The Return of Giants – MERS research into Humpback Whales
• Identifying individual Humpbacks and Orca – activity 
• Scenarios for safe, legal, and responsible vessel operation – activity 
• Grey Whales – natural history and conservation concerns
• Minke Whales – natural history and conservation concerns
• Seals and Sea Lions – natural history and conservation concerns
• Identifying Marine Mammals in the Field – activity 
• The Way Forward – summary of the complex human history with marine mammals

Additional information: 

• The best resource to accompany the course is Dr. John Ford’s book “Marine Mammals of British Columbia”. There is the option to buy this book, at a discounted price, when you register. 
• A certificate will be issued to participants at the end of the course. 
• We emphasize that this is an intensive, in-person course. There will be activities to process the information provided but know that there is no outdoor or field component.

See Course Bursaries and Cancellation Policies below (scroll for further information).

Presenters:

• Jackie Hildering
• Caitlin Birdsall
• Felicia Vachon

Sign up for our Marine Mammal Naturalist Course Alert List here