Event Description

2027 Courses – dates and locations to be announced in winter 2026
Sign up for our Marine Mammal Naturalist Course Alert List here

These are intensive 4-day in-person courses.

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).