Wednesday 10/16/2024, 6:30-8pm *Note: different time & location!!
Education Building 162 & via Zoom (lecture portion only)
Necropsy Demonstration
Sunday, 10/20/2024, 10am-3pm
Oriole Burevitch Laboratory, UNCW Main Campus
5222 Randall Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403
Society for Marine Mammalogy Research Talks:
Monday 11/4/2024, 7-8pm *Note: different DAY & location!!
Dobo Hall 1006 & via Zoom
MMSP in the Community
Sandbar Lecture Series - Museum of Coastal Carolina
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 6pm-7pm
Museum of Coastal Carolina - 21 East 2nd Street, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
Explore North Carolina marine mammal stranding events and learn their significance as indicators of ocean, climate, and human health at the Museum of Coastal Carolina’s September Sandbar Lecture.
Dive into the fascinating world of marine mammals with Dr. Tiffany Keenan as she describes the vital work of the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program. Discover how the program responds to stranded, injured, sick, or entangled marine mammals while creating opportunities for students and community members to take part in these hands-on investigations. Don’t miss this enlightening presentation that will spark your curiosity about marine mammal biology and show how you can support these vital conservation efforts.
Tiffany Keenan, PhD is a post-doctoral research associate and Marine Mammal Stranding Program Coordinator for UNCW with over 14 years of experience working with stranding marine mammals. She also has extensive experience conducting aerial and vessel surveys along the coasts of North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida in collaboration with the Office of Naval Research and the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management.
Saturday, September 21, 2024 3pm-10pm (Tickets Required)
Soundside Park - 517 Roland Avenue, Surf City, NC 28445
Come see us at Ocean Fest 2024! 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!
Femme in STEM - North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Saturday, September 28, 2024 9am-4pm (Included with admission)
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher - 900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC 28449
We are excited to participate in Femme in STEM Day 2024 with the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher! Come connect with our team and discover the fascinating world of marine mammal research and conservation.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 10am-2pm (Free - Open to the Public!)
UNCW Center for Marine Science - 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409
You are invited to a day of science exploration and adventures at the annual UNCW Center for Marine Science open house! Participants will enjoy fun for the whole family with activities, science, tours, and more, while learning about UNCW's coastal and marine science research and education programs. Don't miss your chance to meet our team and discover how you can be involved in marine mammal conservation right here in our community!
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.
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.
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.
