Since 1994, this course has been presenting an overview of the natural history of the San Juan Islands and the inland marine waters of Washington State and Southern British Columbia, or the Salish Sea. The course includes an in-depth treatment of the ecology and conservation of local marine species. The information is presented with a mix of lectures, field trips and hands-on learning. Instructors are highly trained naturalists, regional environmental educators and scientists. The objective of this training is to provide a learning experience that assists the adult graduate to be qualified regionally as a professional or volunteer naturalist. Continuing Education credits through Western Washington University are available with advance arrangement. Clock Hours are available through Northwest ESD 189 for teachers. There are no prerequisites for acceptance into the program, other than high school graduation and a sincere interest to learn the material. The Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest endorses this course for Naturalist Certification. An additional ten-hour practicum is required for this and may be arranged during training.

The most recent program met on Saturdays, March 29, April 5, 12, 26, & May 3, generally from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM for presentations, labs & field trips. These day-long sessions were followed by a closing day that includes a wildlife cruise and graduation celebration at The Whale Museum on Sunday, May 4.

Dates and details for the next program will be announced soon.

Classes will be held at various locations in the San Juan Islands.

Directions from the ferry landing:
Friday Harbor High School: Go approximately 3 blocks up Spring St. to Blair Street and turn right. Go about three blocks (past the Post Office and Friday Harbor Middle School), Friday Harbor High School will be on your left.
The Whale Museum: Go one block up Spring Street to First Street, turn right, proceed one and a half blocks to the Museum.

How much does it cost?

The tuition is $350 and includes the five sessions, a cruise, an orca adoption, and all materials. A minimum $175 deposit must be paid at the time of registration to insure your space in the program. The remainder of the tuition ($175) is due no later than March 24. Full payment is also accepted at the time of registration (please see the refund policy below). Registered participants may purchase optional books from the Museum store at a 15% discount during the training. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

The $175 deposit fee is only refundable if you cancel and your space in the program is replaced with a student from the waiting list through March 14. After that date, the deposit is non-refundable. The Whale Museum reserves the right to cancel any program. If the program is canceled by the Museum, a full refund will be issued to you.

You will take field trips to San Juan Islands parks, waters and shorelines. You should dress for a variety of conditions including wind, cold, rain, and sun. Transportation is provided by The Whale Museum through San Juan Transit therefore it is not necessary to bring your car to the island. Parking is available at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal for a fee. Please contact Washington State Ferries for details at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries. (Suggestions: bring a sack lunch, camera, binoculars, hand lens, field guides, and any other naturalist tools.)

Registration has now closed for the Spring 2008 class. For information about future class offerings, please contact the education curator. Once registration opens for the next offering, applications are processed in the order they are received. You will not be registered if a deposit does not accompany your application. You will be notified with a confirmation letter once your registration has been processed. The class maximum is 24 students and fills up quickly.

For more information, contact:

Cindy Hansen, Education Curator

The Whale Museum

P. O. Box 945

Friday Harbor WA 98250

phone: (360) 378-4710, ext. 23

email: cindy@whalemuseum.org