You are invited to join The Whale Museum’s 2025 Marine Naturalist Training Programs. The Whale Museum (TWM) in Friday Harbor, WA, has been training marine naturalists since 1994. Our marine naturalist training course is an intensive multi-day overview of the natural history of the San Juan Islands and the marine waters of Washington and Southern British Columbia (known as the Salish Sea). These will be mostly full days, usually running from around 9:00 AM–4:00 PM Pacific Time. The 2025 sessions will be hybrid programs with a mixture of virtual lectures and optional in-person field trips here on San Juan Island. This course includes an in-depth treatment of the ecology and conservation of local marine species, including cetaceans (especially Southern Resident killer whales), pinnipeds, mustelids, and marine invertebrates and birds. Not only will participants learn identification and biology of species but also about TWM's marine mammal research (San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Marine Mammals Sighting Network/Database, Be Whale Wise laws and guidelines and Soundwatch Boater Education Program, and collaboration in shore based observation/acoustic research at Lime Kiln Point State Park). Presentations will be given by highly trained local naturalists, TWM staff, environmental educators, and scientists. The upcoming sessions will be dynamic, high-quality hybrid experiences that leave graduates qualified as regional professionals or volunteer naturalists after completing 10 practicum hours. Clock hours are available. Hands-on learning and field identification will be emphasized during the field trip portion.

Dates of Spring Session:

Virtual Portion: April 8–12, 2025

Optional in-person field trips: April 25–27, 2025

Dates of Summer Session:

Virtual Portion: July 8–12, 2025

Optional in-person field trips: July 25–27, 2025

Price and What Is Included:

Virtual Program Tuition Rates:
• $450 Member Rate (for members of The Whale Museum/Orca Adopters)
• $500 Non-Member Rate (includes membership/Orca Adoption)

Tuition includes class sessions (lectures) and all class materials.

In-Person Field Trip Participation Fee:
• $350 Member Rate (for members of The Whale Museum/Orca Adopters/SSAMN)
• $400 Non-Member Rate (includes membership/Orca Adoption/SSAMN)

Field Trip Fee includes an opening reception; transportation during the field trips to/from The Whale Museum and field trip sites; light breakfast, lunches and snacks during field trip days; all class materials; and field trips. Field trips will include activities such as a marine wildlife boat trip; birding; a geology hike; visits to San Juan County Land Bank/False Bay/West side areas and Lime Kiln Point State Park; intertidal life exploration; and tours of The Whale Museum and Lime Kiln Point State Park Lighthouse. Field trips are limited to 29 spots, so don't wait to reserve your spot! 

For the virtual portion, a limited number of Diversity & Inclusion scholarships are available for college/graduate students. 

For more information and to register, click here.

For questions, contact: Tracie Merrill, TWM's Education Director, at tracie@whalemuseum.org or (360) 378-4710 ext. 23.