Speaker's Bureau
and Youth Programs
By: A. H. Kopelman, Ph. D.
CRESLI Speakers Bureau and Education Programs
Meet the CRESLI naturalists/educators
LIST OF PROGRAMS AND SEMINARS
ADULT AND GENERAL AUDIENCES:
Whales Dolphins and Seals, OH MY! (general audience, all ages)
Marine mammals are a highly specialized group of animals including pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, fur seals and walrus), carnivores (sea otters and polar bears), sirenians (manatees and dugongs), and cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) adapted to life in the sea. The waters of Long Island are home to several species of marine mammals, many of which may be viewed with increasing regularity from shore or via a short boat trip. Dive in and explore this fascinating group of animals while learning about the amazing seal, whale, and dolphin species that inhabit our local waters.
- Presented by Dr. Artie Kopelman, CRESLI (Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island) President and Senior Scientist/Naturalist, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, Professor Emeritus of Science /Fashion Institute of Technologyof the State University of New York (SUNY)
or
- Presented by Dr. Marianne McNamara, Professor/Suffolk County Community College, Naturalist/CRESLI (Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island)
Presentation is suitable for all ages. Presentation is given via PowerPoint.
Requested fee: $150; reduced fee or pro bono engagement may be available based on availability and location should funds be limited or unavailable.
Decades Among the Seals of Cupsogue Beach.
Join Dr. Artie Kopelman on a nearly 2 decade photographic journey among the seals of Cupsogue Beach (Moriches Bay). Learn about the seals that call Long Island home for 7 months of the year (or longer). Learn about their behaviors, ecological importance, and their diversity. See seals that have retuned to Cupsogue Beach for 18 years or more. Learn about the relationships between seals and their prey.
Requested fee: $150; reduced fee or pro bono engagement may be available based on availability and location should funds be limited or unavailable.
Whales Need Protection!
Learn about the whales, dolphins, and porpoises of NY and the threats they face. Learn why they need protection and how you can act to protect them
- Presented by Dr. Artie Kopelman, CRESLI (Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island) President and Senior Scientist/Naturalist, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, Professor Emeritus of Science /Fashion Institute of Technologyof the State University of New York (SUNY)
or
- Presented by Dr. Marianne McNamara, Professor/Suffolk County Community College, Naturalist/CRESLI (Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island)
Presentation is suitable for all ages. Presentation is given via PowerPoint.
Requested fee: $150; reduced fee or pro bono engagement may be available based on availability and location should funds be limited or unavailable.
YOUTH PROGRAMS:
For more information and/or to book a youth program, please contact:
Dr. Marianne E. McNamara, Naturalist and Educator/CRESLI and Professor (Biology, Marine Biology) at Suffolk County Community College
mcnamam@sunysuffolk.edu or marianne@cresli.org
631-451-4688 office/631-766-2113 cell
Tales of Whales (grades K and up; different ages classes may be separated for optimized learning)
In this activity, a marine biologist from the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island (CRESLI) will teach kids about the various types of whales found off Long Island, how to identify them, and how to distinguish individual humpback whales by their unique tail shapes and markings. Children will identify local humpbacks found off Long Island by matching tail photos to cataloged images of known whales. Next, they will learn how differences in tail margins (shape) may also be used to identify individuals by pairing unique tail shapes using custom wooden puzzle pieces. A game of “memory” will be played to match similar whale tails in a fun and kid-friendly manner. Participants will suggest names for local whales and create a unique tail pattern of their own. All attendees will receive a take-home packet including a personalized certificate of completion, assorted marine mammal activity sheets, and an CRERSLI identification guide to local marine mammals.
Requested cost and time: $250, 60 mins *reduced pricing may be available upon request should funds be limited. Maximum attendance: 20
Materials include laminated photographs of whales, humpback whale tails and whale identification key, multiple sets of 10 unique wooden cut-outs and base of humpback whale tails, memory game cards, activity sheets, crayons, pencils, and markers (for older children). Take-home materials include a folder containing a personalized certificate of completion, local marine mammal identification sheet, and numerous whale-themed activity sheets.
Dining with Whales (recommended ages 7 and up/grades 3 and up)
In this activity, kids will learn about whales and what (and how) they eat with a marine biologist from the Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island (CRESLI). Participants will open mock “whales” revealing their diets within. The biologist will also demonstrate how whales feed using various tools to catch ‘mock’ prey with the participants. Authentic whale baleen will also be on display. Different types of whales will be examined and the contents can be very surprising! At the end of the activity, children will open one last “whale” to reveal a take-home surprise. All attendees will receive a take-home packet including a personalized certificate of completion, assorted marine mammal activity sheets, and an CRERSLI identification guide to local marine mammals.
Requested cost and time: $250, 60 mins *reduced pricing may be available upon request should funds be limited
Materials include laminated photographs of whales and their prey (food), boxes (representing a variety of local whale species) containing pictures of prey items and a laminated key (to match/identify prey items), authentic whale baleen, rubber fish and krill, colanders, bamboo tongs, activity sheets, crayons, and pencils. Take-home materials include a personalized certificate of completion, a local marine mammal identification guide, and a surprise treat (choice of marine-themed bookmark or vinyl sticker).
Maximum attendance: 20
Dining with Marine Life (recommended ages: 9 and up/grades 4 and up)
In this activity, kids will learn about the diets of local marine birds, mammals, and reptiles from a CRESLI (Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island) marine biologist. Participants will open pouches representing individual seals, dolphins, whales, birds, and sea turtles found in Long Island waters revealing the stomach contents inside, but not before learning about the animals and their prey options, and hypothesizing what (and how much) they might be eating. Contents will also reveal the contribution of marine debris in the diets of these marine predators. Participants will receive a take-home packet including a personalized certification of completion, an identification guide of local marine mammals, and assorted marine-themed activity sheets.
Requested cost: $250, 60 mins *reduced pricing may be available upon request should funds be limited
Materials include laminated photographs of whales and their prey (food), envelopes or boxes (representing various marine mammals, birds, and sea turtles) containing images of prey and a laminated key to identify them, as well as various marine debris (balloons, pieces of rope, plastic bags, rubber bands), authentic whale baleen, data collection sheets, and pencils. Take-home materials include a follow-up exercise/activity sheet, a guide identifying local whales and dolphins, a CRESLI brochure, and a vinyl marine-themed sticker of their choice.
Maximum audience: 20