The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor, WA, has been training marine naturalists since 1994. Due to the pandemic, and back by popular demand, we have decided to offer our 2021 marine naturalist training program (MNTP) spring session virtually. Dates for this session are: April 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. Our marine naturalist training course is an intensive 7-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 10:00 am-5:00 pm Pacific Time. 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, environmental educators, and scientists. Participants can be certified as Naturalists through this program upon completion of 10 practicum hours, which can include, but not limited to, volunteering with TWM's research programs. The upcoming spring session will be a dynamic, high-quality virtual experience that leaves graduates qualified as a regional professional or volunteer naturalist. Most presentations will be recorded but a few will not. Tuition is $425 for members of The Whale Museum/Orca Adopters or $475 for non-members. A deposit (half-tuition) can be made to secure your spot in the program with the remaining balance due a month before the session starts. More information as well as course registration can be found at https://whalemuseum.org/pages/marine-naturalist-training<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwhalemuseum.org%2Fpages%2Fmarine-naturalist-training&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cdaa21b942c8f433bb1d508d825f99f6c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637301101333119309&sdata=X8LRYc8XxWDwXr8auMwzs4yJJHjX5xz3uEqfbZCYS58%3D&reserved=0> Sent from Outlook<http://aka.ms/weboutlook>