American Cetacean Society - San Francisco Chapter Online Course - The Gulf of the Greater Farallones and Its Inhabitants

Date and Time: Wednesday, September 11 - October 16, 2024 @ 6:00 PM Pacific (See below for full six week schedule)

Location: Online Webinar

Whales, dolphins, and porpoises (collectively 'cetaceans') enchant us with their grace, intelligence, and beauty. They have an exceptional ability to inspire people and serve as ambassadors for ocean conservation. Yet, these magnificent creatures face more threats than ever before: entanglement in marine debris and fishing gear, ship strikes, noise pollution, climate change, contaminants, to loss of habitat, whaling, and more. We believe that solving for these threats begins with education and scientific research.

Purpose: To introduce you to the ecology and local marine mammals, seabirds, and sharks in the Marine Sanctuary; increase your understanding of cetacean, pinnipeds, and seabird behaviors; explore the many threats to these animals and learn about conservation efforts to protect them and their habitats.

Attendees: Educators, graduate students, naturalists, and the general public of all ages.

Dates: Six Wednesday evenings from 6pm-9:30pm beginning Sept. 11th to October 16th

Cost: $300 ($250 for ACS members) (covers our course costs & grants program)

If you are not a member yet, you can easily become a member by clicking here

Presenters: Experts in the fields of marine science and conservation including, a professor in Marine Geology, a marine science biologist; a master birder in ocean species; a Great White Shark researcher focusing on the population within the Gulf; and leading experts on marine mammal entanglement and ship strikes.

The course will be overseen by ACS Board Members, Research Biologist - Cetacean Field Research Program – Dr. Marc Webber with The Marine Mammal Center and author of two marine mammal identification guides; and Marine Educator and Oceanic Society Naturalist, Susan Sherman.

If you need more information, please contact Susan Sherman: acs.sfbay.ssherman@gmail.com

Register Now

Details About the Course

Classes are 3 hours/week, 3 sessions/class, with 10 minute breaks between sessions. Sessions will be 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes for Q&A.

Times: 6:00pm-9:30pm

Organizers & ACS Speakers:

Susan Sherman - ACS SF Bay Chapter & Oceanic Society Naturalist

Marc Webber - ACS SF Bay Chapter, The Marine Mammal Center,

& California Academy of Sciences

Presenters:

Kathi George - The Marine Mammal Center; Director of Conservation Biology - Whale Entanglement Response and Prevention

Ken Goldman - White Shark Researcher

Bill Keener - The Marine Mammal Center; Cetacean Field Research Team

Jaime Jahncke, Ph.D., Director of Point Blue California Conservation Sciences

Bekah Lane - The Marine Mammal Center; Baleen Whales Research Team

Nicole Meyers - Geology Professor Sonoma State

Peter Winch - Farallone Islands Association Educator, Bird Expert

Topics (6weeks)

Sept. 11th: (Day 1)

Introduction & Welcome to the course:

Goals and purpose
Digital Handout: Overview of Lectures
Digital Handout: List of resources - Books, Scientific Papers

Session 1: Marine Ecology: Birds, Fish, Invertebrates and Their Prey

Marine ecology & marine productivity in the area
Zooplankton, Fish, & Squid as prey of Marine Birds & Mammals
Question & Answer Discussion

BREAK: 7:00 pm - 7:10 pm

Session 2: Local and Migratory Marine Birds

Question & Answer Discussion

BREAK: 8:10 pm - 8:20 pm

Session 3: Local Geologic History & Formations

Oceanography: Gyres, Currents, Upwelling, & Climate Drivers
Question & Answer Discussion
End of Day 1: 9:20 pm
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Sept. 18th: (Day 2)

Session 1: Human History of the Farallones and Area

Question & Answer Discussion

BREAK: 7:00 pm - 7:10 pm

Session 2: White Shark Population

Question & Answer Discussion

BREAK: 8:10 pm - 8:20 pm

Session 3: Local Geology

Pleistocene sea level changes; vast savannas during lower sea level periods, and grazing area use by paleo-mammals
Question & Answer Discussion
END OF Day 2: 9:20pm
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