Help bring the story of Spinnaker to Life: Become a Docent for CCS

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The Center for Coastal Studies’ Hiebert Marine Lab is honored to have become the permanent home last spring to the 37-foot skeleton of the humpback whale known to researchers as Spinnaker, where she serves as part of ongoing research into the biology of whales and entanglement prevention, and as a rare public display of a large whale skeleton.

We are looking for individuals who are passionate about marine life and conservation to serve as docents for members of the public who come to visit the Center to view Spinnaker’s skeleton and to tell her life story, which includes three disentanglements by our own Marine Animal Entanglement Response team. The Spinnaker exhibit will also be expanded this coming June to include new interactive displays about more of the Center's programs covering whale population biology, marine fisheries, and coastal environmental science.

While you do not need to have a degree in the sciences to apply, we do expect our docents to become integral members of our outreach and education team, committing to a serious grasp and interpretation of Spinnaker’s life history, to learn the basics of whale biology and ecology, and to become familiar with the Center’s various research programs. You should also enjoy working with the public and never be afraid to ask questions-or to say you don’t know!

Shifts will be Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff supervision and training will be provided.