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birdies for charity logo

BIRDIES FOR CHARITY
From November 1, 2009
to February 20, 2010
Monterey Peninsula Foundation
will match 10% of all donations.

(Get your pledge in by January 31st, 2010 for a chance to win prizes.)
Marine Life Studies receives 110% of all funds raised through Birdies For Charity.
All personnel involved with Marine Life Studies serve as volunteers;we have no paid employees. To this end, all monies are applied directly to the fulfillment of our mission.

Thank You For Caring and Daring To Make A Difference By Making A Pledge Today.

You can make a difference with your PLEDGE and have a chance to WIN 2 AIRLINE TICKETS WORTH $500 EACH and A WORLD GOLF VILLAGE VACATION PACKAGE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, FL valued at $1200 (all pledges are tax deductible).

Current projects that need funding:
1) Joey Jones Scholarship and Educational Fund
2) Boat based research surveys
3) W.E.T. (Whale Entanglement Team) of Central California
4) “Green” Research Boat

You can help us continue to make a difference by pledging today!


Marine Life Studies

See our Mission Statement

Marine Life Studies proudly announces the “Joey Jones Scholarship and Educational Fund"

Joey Jones Scholarship logoThe “Joey Jones Scholarship and Educational Fund” was created to inspire the next generation of young people. The fund will be used to award scholarships to students and to be used for educational programs presented to students and the general public. The goal is to help create a sustainable ocean environment, and maintain the beauty and abundance of the ocean for future generations.
 
Marine Life Studies wants to honor Joey Jones for all his help and kindness. Joey was lost at sea on April 3, 2008. Joey’s children, Mike and Lisa Jones, are on Marine Life Studies Scholarship and Educational Advisory Committee.

This scholarship and educational fund will help carry on Joey’s legacy of giving opportunities to others and helping them achieve their personal and educational goals. And it will challenge the participants to help to bridge the gap, create a sustainable environment, and maintain the beauty and abundance of the ocean.

What is Birdies for Charity?

Birdies for Charity® is a fun and exciting way to make a charitable donation to the nonprofit organization of your choice based on the number of combined birdies* scored by PGA TOUR players throughout the 2010 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament, February 11-14.

How Does it Work?

You may pledge one cent or more per birdie scored by PGA TOUR players during the tournament, or if you prefer, you may pledge a flat donation. Monterey Peninsula Foundation will invoice you for the amount you pledged.

To enhance your donation:

Monterey Peninsula Foundation will provide a 10% match, so the charity of your choice will actually receive 110% of all funds raised. Go to BIRDIES FOR CHARITY to donate today.


Events, Education, Outreach

PBS aired “Fellowship of the Whales” on November 15, 2009. Peggy Stap worked side by side in the water with Ross Isaacs in Maui for a couple of years during the filming of “Fellowship of the Whales” (original title “Humpbacks from Fire to Ice”). Can see full episode at:
 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/fellowship-of-the-whales/introduction/5263/

 See more info under Researchers’ Blog.

Download Humpback Whale Wallpaper “Whales with Bubbles.” Photo by Peggy Stap

"ABC7 News had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the many whales that are visiting Monterey Bay right now and the challenges they face. Our guide was Peggy Stap, a researcher with Marine Life Studies." By Cheryl Jennings, News Anchor ABC 7/KGO TV, San Francisco aired November 24, 2008.

February 2009 Whale Quest School Outreach Programs: Peggy Stap led the Marine Debris Workshop for fifth grade students from several elementary schools that visited the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua for a day of science, art and discovery. The students rotated through a number of workshops. Besides learning how to help eliminate marine debris from our ocean and waterways, Peggy passed out Chico Bags to all the students that Chico Bags generously donated for the event. These Educational Workshops are a favorite of the students each year and are specially designed by Whale Trust Executive Director, Meagan Jones.

Some of the other workshops were led by Sue Flood (BBC filmmaker), Greg Marshall (inventor of National Geographic’s Crittercam), and Flip Nicklin and Paul Nicklen (National Geographic photographers).
Click here for more details.

Battle Creek Enquirer article (07/10/07)

January 2007 National Geographic features Hawaii Whale Research Foundation Humpback research. PDF version


W.E.T.
(Whale Entanglement Team)

California W.E.T. is tasked with responding to whales entangled in fishing gear and marine debris. We are excited to announce that W.E.T. now has a designated toll-free number to call and a Marine Mammals in Distress Reporting Card printed on waterproof paper.

Entangled Whale Hotline:
(877) SOS WHALe (767-9425)

We are distributing the Response and Reporting Card to boaters in the Monterey Bay area. If interested in a water-proof card for your boat please contact us.

Download a pdf of the Response and Reporting Card here.

Download W.E.T. Handout for Response and Reporting Card here.

 


Stop Balloon Releases

red balloons

Balloons and other plastics mean death for marine mammals. Balloons are ingested by whales, dolphins, turtles, seals, fish and waterfowl, who innocently mistake them for food such as jellyfish or squid.

balloon looks like jellyfish
These shredded balloons
resemble Sea nettle.
Learn more here...

Spread the Word.

MLS Research Mission

The overall research mission of Marine Life Studies is to study the foraging strategies of transient and offshore killer whales as well as investigate the abundance, distribution, movement and frequency of occurrence of other whale and dolphin species in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

These activities take place under the General Authorization for Scientific Research, a permit issued by NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service. Research results and data will be disseminated in formal research reports and peer-reviewed publications. Good research is a collaborative process. Marine Life Studies (MLS) is committed to sharing data with other researchers. Whenever possible, we also stand ready to assist other researchers in conducting their research by making platforms available, providing information leads on cetacean activities, etc.

MLS Education Mission

Data collection is meaningless unless it is made available not only to the scientific community but also to the general public. This is particularly true in regard to information about whale and dolphin activity within a National Sanctuary. MLS researchers develop and present public presentations concerning the status of their research on the whales and dolphins in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

MLS Conservation Mission

Species cannot survive unless they have a safe place in which to live. A major threat to whales and dolphins throughout the world is the contamination of their habitats and other damaging effects of human's invasion into marine habitats. The Sanctuary and MLS are committed to actively reducing contamination and dedicated to fostering a respect for the environment.

Other MLS conservation activities of interest include marine mammal entanglement and stranding programs, public education concerning the health of the marine environment and actions necessary to enhance it's good health, and in assisting other dedicated environmental groups in meeting their conservation objectives.

Other Links

American Cetacean Society

Birdies for Charity

Clay Foundation’s ClayForEarth.org

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Earthrace

Espinoza Graphics

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

Hawaii Message in the Waves

Hawaii Whale Research Foundation

LaGrand Design

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Save the Whales-Balloon Hazards

Synthetic Sea

Voices of the Bay

Whale Quest School Outreach Programs

 

Some photos taken under National Marine Fisheries Service Research Permits #1094 & #782.

content © www.marinelifestudies.org
“Sweet Pea” © Gina Thomas ~ all other photos © Peggy Stap
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