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MMSP News & Events

Marine Mammal Stranding Program

News & Events

See below for upcoming volunteer meetings and community events!

To learn more about our work and current projects, see 

UNCW MMSP in the News
 

Volunteer Program Meetings

Volunteer meetings have in-person & Zoom attendance options.  See below:

Join the Volunteer Meeting Zoom here

Fall 2025 Introduction Meeting: ​

  • Wednesday 8/27/2025, 6-7pm​

  • Dobo Hall 1006 & Zoom​

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Additional meeting dates TBD - stay tuned!

Community Events

UNCW STEM Expo 2025

  • Saturday, April 5th (4/5/25) 10am - 2pm 

  • UNCW Center for Marine Science - 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington

In Celebration of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) this year UNCW MarineQuest and the Center for Marine Science are joining forces to host the UNCW STEM Expo that highlights how science is everyday, everywhere, for everyone. Come visit our booth and learn about marine mammal conservation in our community!

2025 UNCW STEM Expo

 

Ocean Fest 2025

  • Saturday, May 3rd (5/3/25) 9am - 3pm

  • Soundside Park - 517 Roland Avenue, Surf City, NC 28445

Come see us at Ocean Fest 2025! Ocean Fest was founded in 2019 by three surfing buddies who can usually be found riding the waves of Surf City, NC. The motivation behind the event was to share our love for the ocean, celebrate the pure joy of surfing, and, most importantly, give something meaningful back to Mother Ocean. With that in mind, Ocean Fest strives to educate the community about ecological threats to our precious marine environments and teach how we can better protect those environments. The motto: “To Surf and Protect.” Check out our booth in the Eco Zone and learn how you can support marine mammal conservation in North Carolina!

Ocean Fest 2024


MMSP in the News

Rarely seen whale species died on Emerald Isle after ingesting Mylar balloon

14 November, 2023 - Our team assisted colleagues at NC State CMAST with the stranding investigation of a Gervais Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) calf. Read more about this investigation's tragic, but important findings here. 

Manatees continue to linger off NC coast, raising questions about future management plans

17 November, 2023 - MMSP Director Dr. Michael Tift and Stranding Coordinator Dr. Tiffany Keenan sat down with WHQR's Rachel Keith to chat about recent manatee reports in our area, and how global climate change may affect these animals in the future. Read all about it here. 

Stranding program hands on training on how to safely place a marine mammal in a stretcher

Join Our Team as a Volunteer!

Dive into a world of hands-on learning & marine exploration. Our dynamic team is a mix of volunteers, students, faculty & staff from the Department of Biology & Marine Biology. Fill out our volunteer interest form below & become a valued member of our volunteer community.

Become a Volunteer

Join the Wave of Support!

Our Marine Mammal Stranding Program depends on the support of individuals like you. Every contribution, whether big or small, helps support our mission to understand, preserve & protect our marine mammals.

Donate Today