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

From left to right: The first photograph shows A young female naturalist, smiling and looking up towards the left. In the background, there is a grassy hill and a body of water under a light blue sky. The second photograph captures a humpback whale breaching out of the water. The whale's body is mostly out of the ocean, with water splashing around it. The third photograph is a close-up of a humpback whale's head and part of its body just below the water's surface. The whale's skin appears rough and mottled, with barnacles or other growths visible. The fourth photograph shows a humpback whale's tail flukes as they dip into the water, creating ripples.

Whales, Wonder, and the Santa Barbara Channel: How Whale Heritage Areas Inspire Conservation and Care

January 13, 2026 at 1 pm Hawaii / 3 pm Pacific / 5 pm Central / 6 pm Eastern

Holly Lohuis, Marine biologist, naturalist and Co-Director of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area

Join marine biologist, naturalist, and Co-Director of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area, Holly Lohuis, as she shares stories of the diversity of whales that feed and travel through the Santa Barbara Channel and the waters of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Through the lens of the Whale Heritage Area designation, discover how responsible tourism, community engagement, and education play a vital role in protecting whales and fostering a deeper connection to our ocean.