THE WHALE MUSEUM

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Marine Naturalist training dates set

This year's Marine Naturalist Training, sponsored by The Whale Museum, will take place on Saturdays in April (6,13,20, 27) and May 4 and 5. The object of this popular program is to provide a learning experience that allows graduates to be qualified regionally as professional or volunteer naturalists. Naturalist certification is an option with a five-hour practicum. Continuing education credits and teacher clock hours are also available.

The contents of the course provide an overview of the natural history of The Salish Sea, the inland marine waters between Vancouver Island and the mainlands of Washington State and British Columbia. The ecology and conservation of local marine species is a main focus of the training. Interpretive field techniques are developed in the areas of marine mammals, fishes, seabirds, intertidal ecology, geology, and the human history of the islands.

Information is presented during classroom instruction and field trips around San Juan Island. Each Saturday session runs from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with the May 5 session ending at 4:00 PM to accommodate a wildlife watching cruise. Instructors include Dr. Eugene Kozloff of the University of Washington Friday Harbor Labs and Dr. Rich Osborne of The Whale Museum. Additional faculty includes highly trained naturalists, environmental educators, and scientists.

Tuition for members of The Whale Museum is $235, with an advance registration period February 1-14. The fee for the general public is $250 with open registration beginning February 15. There are no prerequisites other than a sincere interest to learn the material.

For more information or to receive a registration packet, contact Robin Jacobson, Education Coordinator of The Whale Museum at 360.378.4710 extension 23 or visit the Museum on First Street in Friday Harbor.