Dormancy? Not us! When our summer ends, and when the humpbacks leave for their month-long journey across the Pacific to the warm waters of Hawaii, the PMMC usually enters a state of hibernation. Visits to the office are less frequent, then only to check email, pay bills and even organize files (not well enough). NOT THIS YEAR!
The following snippets of information describe both the activities and the growth of your organization. Our to-do list has been shuffled by events and developments, some of which we anticipated, some we envisioned, and some which were out of radar range.
This on-line newsletter is another step in the evolution
of the Petersburg Marine Mammal Center. This is yet another way to
get out "the word". In fact, in the day of text messaging, cell phones,
and a 24 hour news cycle, we have been behind in using this medium.
Thanks to our Advisor and web guru Jeff Reynolds, we are surging
forward with news about our programs.
The Petersburg Marine Mammal Center presented its The second annual Summer Science Series presented by the Petersburg Marine Mammal Center was a smashing sucess. Presenters this year included: Andy Szabo and Sean Hanser of the Alaska Whale Foundation (AWF), Volker Deecke from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Karen Dillon from the Forest Service, and Ken Balcomb from the Center for Whale Research, Friday Harbor.
Whales! Whales! Everywhere! The Petersburg Marine Mammal Center interns invited the children from Eagle’s Nest down to the center for some fun learning activities about whales and sea otters. On their first expedition to the center this summer, the children (1st-4th grade) gathered together and viewed a presentation on humpback whales from the “True Blue Friend” interactive CD. The children participated enthusiastically when asked questions, and they especially enjoyed the portion of the presentation that played humpback whale sounds to them!
PMMC would like to extend a special thanks to Dave and Nancy Berg from Viking Travel for their continuing support and contributions toward our successful 2007 season. We appreciate Dave’s assistance in the assembly of the harpoon park as well as many other projects sponsored by the PMMC.
4th of July Booth
Intern Eric Brewer presents Sylvia Larson of Petersburg with "Ceta", her raffel prize.
The PMMC booth at the Fourth of July parade was a big success. Interns were busy throughout the day meeting with visitors and discussing topics on marine mammals in southeast Alaska. Our displays included a video on bubble net feeding, marine mammal merchandise, and a raffle for a painting by Rochelle Mason entitled “Ceta”.
Sylvia Larson from Petersburg was the winner of this year’s raffle at the PMMC. Her lucky ticket was drawn on July 7th and intern Eric Brewer presented her with “Ceta” at the Viking Travel Conference room.
President's Message
PMMC President Lee Ribich.
The website Independent Sector reports that according to the Government Bureau of Labor Statistics, the estimated dollar value of volunteer time in 2006 was $18.77. The amount for Alaska in 2005 was $17.28.
Although the BLS does place a dollar value on volunteer time, the article states, “It is very difficult to put a value on volunteer time. Volunteers provide many intangibles that cannot be easily quantified. For example, volunteers demonstrate the amount of support an organization has within a community, provide work for short periods of time, and provide support on a wide range of projects.”
Clearly, the value of volunteer time to any organization is beyond important, it is vital. Volunteers make a difference by providing time, energy, and talent. Time has a dollar value now at $18.00. The other two- priceless.
Cruise West’s “Our Bears Cares” Program
Petersburg, Alaska also known as “Little Norway,” is a favorite port of our guests. Cruisers can only access Petersburg by small ships, and we adore the small town welcome they bestow. That’s why when the “Our Bear Cares” team went looking for ways to give back to the areas we travel we were pleased to support the Petersburg Marine Mammal Center (PMMC).
The PMMC, among many things focuses on public education about humpback whales and other marine mammals of Southeast Alaska. Their efforts help in the recovery and preservation of Alaska’s natural wonders. The PMMC serves and is served by their capable interns. So, when Cruise West asked PMMC how we could help, the intern program developed into a natural fit.
The “Our Bear Cares” Committee was delighted to donate $10,000 to help fund the PMMC Internship Program for 2007 and beyond. Our staff is excited to visit Petersburg this summer and introduce our guests to their highly regarded interns. We look forward to a long-term partnership with the Petersburg Marine Mammal Center in the years to come.
Intern Projects at PMMC
For the completion of their Park Management Associates at West Valley College in Saratoga, California, two of the PMMC interns are required to complete a Resource Management Project. Fortunately, Ricky and Eric’s projects will be a benefit to the Center. Ricky Davis has selected to create a marine mammal sightings database in Excel for use by the researchers and PMMC board members. He has been diligently cataloging past marine mammal sightings given to PMMC by some of the board members and cruise boats. He is hoping to create a baseline of the population of marine mammals in Frederick Sound so that if environmental incidences occur a database of population sightings is available.
Eric Brewer has decided to further the Center’s work with disentanglement efforts by arranging the Center’s tools and telemetry buoy equipment in a convenient kit. The kit will include a Pelican Case that will house all of the materials for the deployment of the telemetry buoy, along with a pocketsize handbook on how to use the telemetry buoy. The completion of this project will allow for future use of the telemetry buoy and equipment to be much less complicated. Eric is completing this project in accordance with NOAA
New Members
We would like to give a special thanks and recognize Katharine Richards and her family for their generous contributions and support. Katherine came to the PMMC this summer from Sheboygan, Wisconsin and became our newest Patron member here at the Mammal Center.
All materials copyright 2006 Petersburg Marine Mammal Center and/or its content contributors. All Rights Reserved.
Photo credits & copyrights can be found here.
