Webinar Series
The National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series provides educators, students, and the interested public with educational and scientific expertise, resources and training to support ocean and climate literacy. This series generally targets formal and informal educators that are engaging students (elementary through college) in formal classroom settings, as well as members of the community in informal educational venues (e.g. after school programs, science centers, aquariums, etc.). However, the series is open to anyone interested in the topics listed below.
For distance learning programs about marine mammals and other protected species in the wild, please visit our Wildlife Viewing Guidelines and the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources' Marine Life Viewing Guidelines to ensure you are aware of the regulations.
Upcoming Webinars
Monterey Bay’s Iconic Kelp Forests
April 16, 2025 at 2:30 pm Hawaii / 5:30 pm Pacific / 7:30 pm Central / 8:30 pm Eastern
Dr. Lisa Wooninck, Superintendent at NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
One of our nation's most spectacular marine protected areas, NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the world! This "Serengeti of the Sea" stretches along the central coast from San Francisco to Cambria and includes pristine beaches, jewel-like tide pools, lush kelp forests, steep canyons and an offshore seamount teeming with life—from tiny shrimp to giant blue whales. We invite you to learn more about this national undersea treasure. Join Dr. Lisa Wooninck, NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent, who will be speaking about the sanctuary's kelp forest ecosystems.
This presentation is a part of the "Discover Your Sanctuary Speaker Series" which is hosted by Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary's Coastal Discovery Center out of San Simeon, California.
Fluctuations in seal lion abundance and prey consumption in northwest Washington
April 22, 2025 at 2 pm Hawaii / 5 pm Pacific / 7 pm Central / 8 pm Eastern
Jonathan J. Scordino, Master of Science, Researcher at Makah Fisheries Management, Neah Bay, Washington
California and Steller sea lions are large-bodied predators of the northern California Current Ecosystem. Historically, hunting of these two sea lion species by Native Americans regulated their distribution and abundance. The two populations of sea lions have experienced rapid increases in abundance along the shores of the contiguous United States since the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972 and shifts in their distribution. The objective of this talk is to share how Steller and California sea lion abundance and prey consumption has fluctuated in recent decades in northwest Washington. We’ll also explore what the two species of sea lions eat and how the fluctuations in their prey consumption could be affecting their local ecosystem.
Protecting Blue Whales, Blue Skies
April 30, 2025 at 2:30 pm Hawaii / 5:30 pm Pacific / 7:30 pm Central / 8:30 pm Eastern
Sean Hastings, Policy, Information, and Management Officer at NOAA’s Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Join Sean Hastings, Policy, Information, and Management Officer for NOAA’s Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Founder of the "Protecting Blue Blue Whales and Blue Skies," which is a voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction verification and recognition program that aims to reduce ship strikes to endangered whales, underwater noise, and air pollution.
This presentation is a part of the "Discover Your Sanctuary Speaker Series" which is hosted by Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary's Coastal Discovery Center out of San Simeon, California.