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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

Attend volunteer meetings in person OR via Zoom! 

Join the Volunteer Meeting Zoom here

Spring 2025 Introduction Meeting: ​

  • Wednesday 1/15/2025, 7-8pm​

  • Dobo Hall 1009 & Zoom​

 

Human Interaction Workshop: ​

  • Wednesday 2/19/2025, 7-8:30pm​

  • Dobo Hall 1009 & Zoom (lecture portion only)

    ​

​Marine Mammal Career Panel ​

  • Wednesday 3/12/2025, 7-8:30pm

  • Dobo Hall 1009 & Zoom​

Are you interested in a career in marine mammal conservation? Join us for our Marine Mammal Career Panel, featuring guest panelists representing some of the different pathways to a marine mammal-related career - from research and policy, to rehabilitation and education. This is a student-oriented Q & A style panel, so please come with questions for our panelists! 

Meet the Panelists: 

2025 Panelist Bios

  • Summer Owens - Senior Marine Mammal Protection Act Analyst, Ocean Associates Inc./NOAA Office of Protected Resources - North Carolina
  • Sarah Thomas - Aquarist, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher - North Carolina
  • Lauren Brandkamp - Stranding Coordinator, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) - Massachusetts
  • Ally Kristan - Lab Manager, Dr. Andrew Read Marine Mammal Conservation Lab, Duke University - North Carolina
  • Hannah Rogers - Biological Scientist II, FWC/FWRI Manatee Photo Identification Team - Florida
  • Stephen Anderson, DVM - Exotic Animal Veterinarian, Paws & Claws Animal Hospital (UNCW MMSP Vet Team) - North Carolina
  • Celeste Anderson - Veterinary Team, Paws & Claws Animal Hospital (UNCW MMSP Vet Team) - North Carolina
  • South Carolina North Atlantic Right Whale Survey Team - Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) - South Carolina
  • Mikeelee Brink - Protected Species Observer, Coastwise Consulting Inc. & North Atlantic Right Whale Aerial Observer, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) - Georgia 
  • Corinne Rosen - Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Biologist, Seaworld Rescue - Orlando, FL
  • Lisa Gatens - Mammalogy Collections Manager, NC Museum of Natural Sciences - North Carolina

 

Upcoming Events

 Ocean Fest 2025

  • Saturday, May 3rd - 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