We've been training marine naturalists since 1994.
Our marine naturalist training course (MNTP) is an intensive multi-day overview of the natural history of the San Juan Islands and the marine waters of Washington and Southern British Columbia (known as the Salish Sea). This course includes an in-depth treatment of the ecology and conservation of local marine species, presented by highly trained local naturalists, environmental educators, and scientists. These sessions are offered twice a year - spring and summer. The upcoming Spring Session will be fully-in person while the Summer Session will be hybrid. Both sessions will be dynamic and high-quality experiences that leave graduates qualified as a regional professional or volunteer naturalist.
Come Interested, Leave Qualified
The 2026 Spring Session will be fully in-person while the Summer Session will be a hybrid of virtual learning and optional in-person field trips. For either session, participants can earn a Whale Museum naturalist certification by completing an extra 10-hour practicum, which can be arranged during this course. For the Summer Session, participants don’t have to participate in the field trips to be eligible for the certification. Completion of this course also entitles you to become a member of the Salish Sea Association of Marine Naturalists (SSAMN). Clock hour credits are available.
The Whale Museum’s Marine Naturalist Training Program will enhance your opportunity to work as a naturalist or take advantage of volunteer opportunities. Presentations will include detailed information on the orca whales and other marine mammals and seabirds of the Salish Sea. The Spring Session will be fully in-person and will be a mixture of approximately 50% class lectures and 50% field trips. The Summer Session will have a fully virtual portion and then an optional weekend of in-person field trips. For both sessions, hands-on learning and field identification will be emphasized during the field trip portions. Instructors are Whale Museum staff, regional professionals, marine scientists and environmental educators.
Dates and Costs of Sessions:
Spring Session Dates (fully in-person):
April 14-19, 2026 (approximately 9:00 am-4:30 pm Pacific Time each day)
Summer Session Dates (hybrid):
Virtual Presentations (approximately 9-4 Pacific time each day) : July 7-11, 2026
In-Person Field Trips on San Juan Island: July 24-26, 2026 (must have completed MNTP to participate). Field trip days will mostly be full days, starting around 9:00 am and ending around 4:30 pm Pacific time.
Spring Session Tuition Rates:
$900 Member Rate (for members of The Whale Museum/Orca Adopters)
$1,000 Non-Member Rate (includes membership/Orca Adoption)
Tuition includes the following:
Class sessions (lectures)
All class materials
All field trips (including Boat Trip)
Transportation during the Field Trips to/from The Whale Museum and field trip sites
Light breakfast/snack food
April 18 lunch
Summer Session Tuition Rates:
Virtual Program Tuition Rates:
$450 Member Rate (for members of The Whale Museum/Orca Adopters)
$500 Non-Member Rate (includes membership/Orca Adoption)
$275 (discounted rate for previous MNTP Participants (if wanting to take course as a refresher)). 4 spots at this discounted rate are available (first come, first serve)
Tuition includes the following:
Class sessions (lectures)
All class materials
In-Person Field Trip Participation Fee (optional participation):
$450 Member Rate (for members of The Whale Museum/Orca Adopters/SSAMN)
$500 Non-Member Rate (includes membership/Orca Adoption/SSAMN)
Fee includes the following:
Opening Reception
All field trips (including Boat Trip)
Transportation during the Field Trips to/from The Whale Museum and field trip sites
Light breakfast, lunches and snacks during field trip days
All class materials
For the Spring Session and the Field Trip portion of the Summer Session, field trips will include activities such as a marine wildlife boat trip; birding; a geology hike; visits to San Juan County Land Bank/False Bay/West side areas and Lime Kiln Point State Park; intertidal life exploration; and tours of The Whale Museum and Lime Kiln Point State Park Lighthouse. Please note for the Spring Session, and the in-person portion of the Summer Session, that you are responsible for your own travel to SJI, lodging, and any meals outside of what is listed. Additionally, the number of field trips, and the types of field trips, will not vary significantly between the Spring and Summer sessions. Field trips are limited to 29 spots!
For more details and to register for either the Spring or Summer Session, click this link
If needing lodging, a local list of lodging can be found here. Additionally, several of these lodging facilities are offering discounted rates for Spring MNTP participants. A list of those facilities is here.
For the virtual portion of the Summer Session, a limited number of scholarships are available for college/graduate students. To apply for a scholarship, go to this link. If applying for a scholarship, do not make a registration payment.
For more information, contact: Tracie Merrill at tracie@whalemuseum.org or (360) 378-4710 ext. 1023.