The following is a press release by The Associated Students Coastal Fund:
The Associated Students Coastal Fund recently granted $7,100 to Gray Whales Count, a nonprofit organization centered on the education and research of marine mammals. The primary objective of the project is to monitor the passage of gray whales migrating northbound through the Santa Barbara Channel and to identify any changes that may have been caused by our local environment. Gray Whales Count also works to identify, track, and observe other marine mammals, including various whale, dolphin, sea otter, and seal species. The Gray Whales Count will use the Coastal Fund’s support to fund up to 13 interns to help with the project. According to Danni Storz, Gray Whales Count Operations Manager, “The Count has started and the whales are migrating! We have started seeing whales and it’s a thrill.”
In a collaborative effort the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Southwest Fisheries Science Center and the Gray Whales Count share data and compare estimates based on a designated algorithm provided by NOAA. Gray Whales Count also works closely with scientists at the Scripps Whale Acoustic Lab to better understand human impacts on the marine environment.
The interns are the main component of the Gray Whales Count’s education efforts. Interns gain valuable experience in conducting research and collecting and analyzing data all while learning about and developing a passion for the marine environment. Danni Storz comments, “When the peak migration occurs, it gets very exciting. On March 21st last year, we counted 42 whales in one day! We witness amazing behaviors, as well as the whales interactions with their environment both natural and anthropogenic. It’s a tremendous learning experience.” As such, the involvement of interns creates a broad web of awareness and appreciation for the preservation of resources and biodiversity.
Coastal Fund is a student-funded, student-run organization that serves to preserve, protect, and enhance the terrestrial and marine habitats associated with the UCSB shoreline. Since the fall of 1999, Coastal Fund has granted $1.68 million to over 400 local projects and programs. For more information on projects and funding opportunities visit the Coastal Fund web site.
