MERS Marine Education and Research Society

### Context Profile for MERS Marine Education and Research Society

1. **Organization Mission & Cause**:
   - **Mission**: The MERS Marine Education and Research Society is dedicated to marine conservation through education, research, and response efforts. Their primary focus is on the study and protection of marine wildlife, particularly whales, and their habitats.
   - **Cause**: MERS aims to foster a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems and promote sustainable practices to protect these vital resources.

2. **Type of Activities**:
   - **Wildlife Watching Trips**: MERS organizes excursions, such as the "MERS Fundraising Trip 2025 - Port McNeill," where participants can observe marine wildlife, particularly Humpback Whales, while learning about ongoing research efforts.
   - **Educational Programs**: They provide educational resources and experiences aimed at increasing public awareness and understanding of marine life.
   - **Research Initiatives**: MERS conducts scientific research to monitor and protect marine species and their habitats.

3. **Tone of Voice**:
   - The tone of the website and communications is **friendly**, **informative**, and **inspiring**. It aims to engage the audience with a sense of excitement about marine life and conservation efforts. The language is accessible, aiming to connect with a broad audience, from casual participants to serious supporters.

4. **Emoji Usage**:
   - The website and communications do not prominently feature emojis. The tone remains professional and straightforward, focusing on clear communication about events and initiatives without the use of informal symbols.

5. **Key Facts**:
   - **Founding Info**: Specific founding details are not provided on the website, but MERS has established itself as a key player in marine education and research.
   - **Scale**: MERS has a total of 13 forms and 13 email campaigns, indicating an active engagement with their community.
   - **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics are not detailed, the organization highlights the importance of funds raised for their education and research work.
   - **Volunteer Info**: Information on volunteer opportunities is not explicitly stated, but the organization likely engages volunteers in their events and research activities.

6. **Writing Guidelines**:
   - **Style**: Use a friendly and engaging tone that invites participation and conveys enthusiasm for marine conservation.
   - **Structure**: Keep content clear and organized, using headings and bullet points where appropriate to enhance readability.
   - **Call to Action**: Include strong calls to action that encourage readers to participate in events, donate, or learn more about marine conservation.
   - **Personalization**: Use personalized greetings in communications (e.g., addressing recipients by name) to foster a connection with the audience.

This context profile serves as a foundational guide for creating tailored content that aligns with MERS Marine Education and Research Society's mission, activities, and communication style.

LXCL:NIMMSA MEMBER Advance Registration available until January 11, 2026.

NIMMSA Advance Registration - Course Fee only

LXCL:NIMMSA MEMBER Advance Registration with ADD-ON of a Marine Mammals of British Columbia: Royal BC Museum Handbook by Dr. John Ford (provided at 10% discount). Advance registration is available until January 11, 2026. Marine Mammals of British Columbia: Royal BC Museum Handbook is the best resource to complement the content of the Course.

NIMMSA Advance Registration - Course Fee with Book

LXCL:Course Registration.

Course Fee

LXCL:Course Registration with ADD-ON of a Marine Mammals of British Columbia: Royal BC Museum Handbook by Dr. John Ford (provided at 10% discount). Marine Mammals of British Columbia: Royal BC Museum Handbook is the best resource to complement the content of the Course.

Course Fee with Book

Please pay via e-transfer to accounting@mersociety.org or send cheque to (made out to Marine Education and Research Society):
Marine Education and Research Society
PO Box 1168
Port McNeill, BC
V0N2R0

Spots fill fast!If registration isn&rsquo;t available, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://form-can.keela.co/waitlist-2026-pm" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">sign up for our waitlist here</a>. We will notify you if a spot becomes available. This is an intensive 4-day, in-person, classroom-based course.&nbsp; Since 2015, we have offered Marine Mammal Naturalist Courses to increase knowledge and inspire action for marine mammal conservation in British Columbia. The aim is to reach those who can amplify the knowledge, skills, and ethics shared through the course within their roles and spheres of influence. This includes ecotourism naturalists, educators, science communicators, conservation advocates, members of the media, and those undertaking training for such roles. Course content focuses on the common marine mammals of coastal British Columbia, going far beyond species identification and behaviour. The species will be ambassadors for broader environmental issues and ecosystem dynamics, and is&nbsp;grounded in science with an emphasis on strategies to effect positive change. Course Criteria<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Commitment to course aims: It is expected that participants will be able to apply the information from the course to support and amplify marine conservation in British Columbia. &nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Prerequisite:&nbsp;All participants must have completed our free, online&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://courses.mersociety.org/courses/whale-safe-boating" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Whale-Safe Boating Course</a> prior to attending the Marine Mammal Naturalist Course (Modules 1 to 6). It is not necessary to have completed the supplemental &ldquo;Species Detail&rdquo; module.&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Age requirement: Participants must be at least 18 years old.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Attendance: Full attendance is required (no absences).</li></ul> <span fr-original-style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Helvetica;box-sizing:inherit;font-size:14px;" style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Helvetica;box-sizing:inherit;font-size:14px;">Course Cost:&nbsp;$650&nbsp;<span fr-original-style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px;" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px;">($300 non-refundable; remainder refundable up to April 22, 2026).&nbsp;Registration is non-transferable. <span fr-original-style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Helvetica;box-sizing:inherit;" style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Helvetica;box-sizing:inherit;">Course Bursary These bursaries are intended for BC residents whose participation has strong potential to amplify the aims of the course, but who face financial barriers to attending.<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="list-style-type: none;" style="list-style-type: none; box-sizing: inherit;"><ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The bursary covers the cost of the course and a Marine Mammals of British Columbia book (best resource to complement the content of the course) - $688 value.</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="list-style-type: none;" style="list-style-type: none; box-sizing: inherit;"><ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">One of the 4 bursaries will be eligible for coverage of travel and accommodation (up to $710 in value). Support for the combined course and travel bursary was generously provided by the Alway-Connors Charitable Fund.</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="list-style-type: none;" style="list-style-type: none; box-sizing: inherit;"><ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Application deadline: February 15, 2026.&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="list-style-type: none;" style="list-style-type: none; box-sizing: inherit;"><ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Successful applicants will be notified by March 2, 2026.&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="list-style-type: none;" style="list-style-type: none; box-sizing: inherit;"><ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold; box-sizing: inherit;">For further details and to apply for the bursary, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://form.jotform.com/MERSociety/mmncbursaries" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">please click here.</a></li></ul></li></ul><p fr-original-style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: center;" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: center;">____________ Schedule - 4 days:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:14px;box-sizing:inherit;" style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Helvetica;font-size:14px;box-sizing:inherit;">Friday, May 29 to Monday, June 1: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST (1 hour lunch break)</li></ul><p fr-original-style="background-color:transparent;line-height:22px;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);margin:0px;" style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 22px; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px;">Location: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/4ZRk6vtrLYPZHgZTA" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Port McNeill Community Hall, 1435 Broughton Blvd, Port McNeill, BC</a><p fr-original-style="background-color:transparent;line-height:22px;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);margin:0px;" style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 22px; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px;"> <p fr-original-style="background-color:transparent;line-height:32px;width:100%;box-sizing:inherit;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);margin:0px;" style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px;">Course Topics:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Introduction Activities&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Marine Biodiversity of BC&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Classification and Adaptations of Marine Mammals&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Sea Otters</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Value of Being a Marine Mammal Naturalist&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">BC Killer Whale /Orca Populations&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Dolphins and Porpoises -</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Return of Giants - MERS research into Humpback Whales</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Identifying individual Humpbacks and Orca</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Scenarios for safe, legal, and responsible vessel operation</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Grey Whales</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Minke Whales</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Seals and Sea Lions&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Identifying Marine Mammals in the Field&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Way Forward - summary of the complex human history with marine mammals</li></ul>Cancellation Policy:$300 of the course fee is non-refundable. Remaining amount is refundable up to April 29, 2026. No refunds will be provided for cancellations after April 29, 2026. Course registration is non-transferable and if registration is cancelled, the next person on the waitlist will be notified of open spot. &nbsp; For NIMMSA members, please refer to your email via NIMMSA for cancellation policies. Contact Info: info@mersociety.org

Hello <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip " fr-original-style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);display:inline-block;margin:0px;padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;line-height:16px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;box-sizing:inherit;-webkit-touch-callout:none;-webkit-user-select:none;" style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);display:inline-block;margin:0px;padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;line-height:16px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;box-sizing:inherit;-webkit-touch-callout:none;-webkit-user-select:none;">First name, Thank you very much for registering for our Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) Marine Mammal Naturalist Course: Location: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/SuLnuCv6LdQM8dGz5" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Port McNeill Community Hall, 1435 Broughton Blvd, Port McNeill, BC</a>Dates:&nbsp;Friday, May 29 to Monday, June 1, 2026 (9 AM - 5 PM daily)Prerequisite: All participants must have completed our free online&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://courses.mersociety.org/courses/whale-safe-boating" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Whale-Safe Boating Course</a> prior to attending the Marine Mammal Naturalist Course (Modules 1 to 6). It is not necessary to have completed the supplemental &ldquo;Species Detail&rdquo; module. &nbsp; We will update you on details as they become available via email and we will also be in touch at least 4 weeks before the course starts with further details, including providing access to the Course Hub.&nbsp; If you selected registration with a Marine Mammals of British Columbia book by Dr. John Ford, we will have the books available for pick up on the first day of the course (May 29th). For NIMMSA members:If names and emails of attendees have not been provided at registration, we will be contacting you 4 weeks before the course to gather this information. Cancellation Policy$300 of the course fee is non-refundable. If you cancel your registration before April 29, 2026, the remaining amount is refundable. After April 29, 2026, no refunds will be provided for cancellations. For NIMMSA members, please refer to your email via NIMMSA for cancellation policies. For any questions or need to cancel your MERS Course registration, contact us at <a fr-original-style="text-decoration-color:currentcolor;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit;" href="mailto: info@mersociety.org" style="text-decoration-color:currentcolor;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit;">info@mersociety.org</a>. We very much look forward to seeing you at the Course.<p fr-original-style="margin:0px 0px 14px;padding:0px;text-size-adjust:100%;line-height:21px;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);" style="margin:0px 0px 14px;padding:0px;text-size-adjust:100%;line-height:21px;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Very best wishes,Team MERS&nbsp;

Spots fill fast!If registration isn’t available, <a href="https://form-can.keela.co/waitlist-2026-pm" target="_blank">sign up for our waitlist here</a>. We will notify you if a spot becomes available. This is an intensive 4-day, in-person, classroom-based course.  Since 2015, we have offered Marine Mammal Naturalist Courses to increase knowledge and inspire action for marine mammal conservation in British Columbia. The aim is to reach those who can amplify the knowledge, skills, and ethics shared through the course within their roles and spheres of influence. This includes ecotourism naturalists, educators, science communicators, conservation advocates, members of the media, and those undertaking training for such roles. Course content focuses on the common marine mammals of coastal British Columbia, going far beyond species identification and behaviour. The species will be ambassadors for broader environmental issues and ecosystem dynamics, and is grounded in science with an emphasis on strategies to effect positive change. Course Criteria<ul><li>Commitment to course aims: It is expected that participants will be able to apply the information from the course to support and amplify marine conservation in British Columbia.  </li><li>Prerequisite: All participants must have completed our free, online <a href="https://courses.mersociety.org/courses/whale-safe-boating" target="_blank">Whale-Safe Boating Course</a> prior to attending the Marine Mammal Naturalist Course (Modules 1 to 6). It is not necessary to have completed the supplemental “Species Detail” module. </li><li>Age requirement: Participants must be at least 18 years old.</li><li>Attendance: Full attendance is required (no absences).</li></ul> Course Cost: $650 ($300 non-refundable; remainder refundable up to April 22, 2026). Registration is non-transferable. Course Bursary These bursaries are intended for BC residents whose participation has strong potential to amplify the aims of the course, but who face financial barriers to attending.<ul><li><ul><li>The bursary covers the cost of the course and a Marine Mammals of British Columbia book (best resource to complement the content of the course) - $688 value.</li></ul></li><li><ul><li>One of the 4 bursaries will be eligible for coverage of travel and accommodation (up to $710 in value). Support for the combined course and travel bursary was generously provided by the Alway-Connors Charitable Fund.</li></ul></li><li><ul><li>Application deadline: February 15, 2026. </li></ul></li><li><ul><li>Successful applicants will be notified by March 2, 2026. </li></ul></li><li><ul><li>For further details and to apply for the bursary, <a href="https://form.jotform.com/MERSociety/mmncbursaries" target="_blank">please click here.</a></li></ul></li></ul>____________ Schedule - 4 days:<ul><li>Friday, May 29 to Monday, June 1: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST (1 hour lunch break)</li></ul>Location: <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/4ZRk6vtrLYPZHgZTA" target="_blank">Port McNeill Community Hall, 1435 Broughton Blvd, Port McNeill, BC</a> Course Topics:<ul><li>Introduction Activities </li><li>Marine Biodiversity of BC </li><li>Classification and Adaptations of Marine Mammals </li><li>Sea Otters</li><li>The Value of Being a Marine Mammal Naturalist </li><li>BC Killer Whale /Orca Populations </li><li>Dolphins and Porpoises -</li><li>The Return of Giants - MERS research into Humpback Whales</li><li>Identifying individual Humpbacks and Orca</li><li>Scenarios for safe, legal, and responsible vessel operation</li><li>Grey Whales</li><li>Minke Whales</li><li>Seals and Sea Lions </li><li>Identifying Marine Mammals in the Field </li><li>The Way Forward - summary of the complex human history with marine mammals</li></ul>Cancellation Policy:$300 of the course fee is non-refundable. Remaining amount is refundable up to April 29, 2026. No refunds will be provided for cancellations after April 29, 2026. Course registration is non-transferable and if registration is cancelled, the next person on the waitlist will be notified of open spot.   For NIMMSA members, please refer to your email via NIMMSA for cancellation policies. Contact Info: info@mersociety.org

MERS Marine Education and Research Society

MERS Marine Mammal Naturalist Course 2026 - Port McNeill

1435 Broughton Blvd

Course Fee

$650

Course Fee with Book

$688

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