One Ocean, Many Voices, One Mission: Whale Watch Naturalists Unite SMM Biennial Workshop Sunday, October 18, 2026, 1:30-5:30 PM San Juan, Puerto Rico https://sites.google.com/view/nawwna/events/smm Whale watch naturalists and educators: share best practices, teaching tools, and storytelling strategies while building meaningful connections that extend beyond the conference. We are now accepting abstracts for presentations at the workshop. Click here to submit an abstract: https://sites.google.com/view/nawwna/events/smm WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: The workshop will feature an invited keynote, lightning talks, and facilitated discussions focused on engaging the public around complex and sometimes controversial topics, including entanglement, climate change, vessel strikes, and offshore wind. A central goal is to explore approaches that move audiences from awareness to positive behavior change that benefits marine mammals. Participants will exchange resources and favorite teaching tools, collaborate on effective communication strategies, and identify shared challenges and solutions. Time will also be dedicated to developing a plan for sustaining this network as a long-term professional resource-supporting continued collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing throughout the conference and into the coming years. By forming this international community at the start of the conference, naturalists can collectively process new scientific information as it is presented and translate it into clear, compelling public outreach. Together, participants will refine best practices for presenting emerging research, navigating sensitive topics, and inspiring conservation-minded actions among diverse audiences. Establishing these connections early creates a foundation for collaborative learning throughout the event, ensuring attendees leave not only with new knowledge, but also with practical tools, shared language, and an ongoing support network to strengthen whale watch education worldwide. We plan to have a virtual option available for attendance. Jen Kennedy, Workshop Co-Chair Steering Committee, North Atlantic Whale Watch Naturalist Association Executive Director Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation 603-431-0260 office / 603-834-0253 cell 400 Little Harbor Road #1103 Portsmouth, NH 03801 www.blueoceansociety.org <http://www.blueoceansociety.org/>