Volunteering for CRESLI
By: A. H. Kopelman
Volunteering for CRESLI
We are all CRESLI volunteers!
CRESLI volunteers are an invaluable resource and participate in all of our activities, including marine mammal research expeditions and cruises, data collection and public education programs. Volunteers receive hands-on training and experience from CRESLI's research staff while participating in challenging and rewarding activities. To volunteer for CRESLI, you must bge 18 years of age (or older) and should submit the application below. Once you are in our database of volunteer applicants, there's no need to resubmit.
What do CRESLI whale watch volunteers do?
The whale watch
volunteers are involved in a variety of tasks, including being spotters for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, pelagic birds, other marine organisms, garbage, etc.. We have volunteers stationed to look 360 degrees around the vessel, ostensibly for whales, but for just about anything of interest. Volunteers are also used to record data about a variety of oceanographic and biological parameters, under the direction of the naturalist, entering data into ArcGIS Survey123 forms. The volunteers play critical roles in our work. It's a challenge, but well worth it. Often volunteers help in other aspects of our trips not directly related to spotting and data collections. Some help to collect donations or raffle tickets; others take baleen around and speak to passengers.
Our trips leave out of Montauk Harbor on the far eastern end of Long Island’s south fork. Our trips are local 5 h-6 hrs. long and we occasionally run offshore trips of 36-51 hrs. in length, depending upon our destination. We sail in all weather; the work can be rigorous at times, but extremely rewarding. This is an excellent opportunity to gain at-sea experience, learn more about cetaceans and the marine environment from experts in the field, and network with individuals with whom you share a passion. Most of our volunteers return each season, many having done this for a decade or more.
What do CRESLI seal walk/seal cruise volunteers do?
The seal walk volunteers are involved in a variety of tasks, including being spot
ters for seals. Volunteers will also help with checking people in (although we won't have large crowds), carrying equipment, counting seals, photographing seals, collecting and entering data into ArcGIS Survey123 forms, and answering/relaying questions about CRESLI and our work. As always, CRESLI volunteers play critical roles in data collection regarding seal numbers and environmental conditions, and human interactions, etc. As always, our volunteers play critical roles in our work.
CRESLI Volunteer Application:
Please fill out and submit, we will contact you within 72 hrs (PLEASE be patient)
Training workshops for volunteers
Any CRESLI volunteer wishing to work on CRESLI whale watches and/or CRESLI seal walks and cruises must attend training sessions annually. Whale watch training typically occurs in late May (before whale watch season). Seal walk/seal cruise training takes place in October/November (before seal season begin).
Training schedules
will be posted here and volunteers will be contacted.
| Training Type | Schedule Info |
| 2024/2025 CRESLI Zoom-based Seal walk and cruise volunteer training | You will be contacted in October 2024. Email Dr. Artie Kopelman for questions |
| 2024 CRESLI Zoom-based Whale Watch/Research volunteer training | 2024 whale watch/research training sessions have ended. You will be contacted if and when we add more training sessions. Email Dr. Artie Kopelman for questions |