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.

NIMMSA MEMBER Advance Registration available until January 12, 2024.

NIMMSA Advance Registration - Course Fee only

NIMMSA MEMBER Advance Registration with add-on of a Marine Mammals of British Columbia: Royal BC Museum Handbook by Dr. John Ford. Advance registration is available until January 12, 2024. 

Marine Mammals of British Columbia: Royal BC Museum Handbook is the best resource to complement the content of the Course (but not a mandatory resource for the course).

NIMMSA Advance Registration - Course Fee with Book

Course Registration. If registration is full, sign up for the waitlist (link in the course description).

Course Fee

Course Registration with add-on of a Marine Mammals of British Columbia: Royal BC Museum Handbook by Dr. John Ford. If registration is full, sign up for the waitlist (link in the course description).

Marine Mammals of British Columbia: Royal BC Museum Handbook is the best resource to complement the content of the Course (but not a mandatory resource for the course).

Course Fee with Book

Send e-transfers to: accounting@mersociety.org

Make cheques out to: Marine Education and Research Society
Address to send cheque: 
PO Box 1168
Port McNeill, BC
V0N2R0

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 href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/744wDeDzP5cUbfko9" target="_blank">Campbell River, Maritime Heritage Centre, Rotary Hall</a>Dates: May 24 to May 27, 2024  We will update you on details as they become available via email and we will also be in touch 3 weeks before the course starts with further details, including providing access to the Course Hub.  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 24th). 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. For any questions or need to cancel your MERS Course registration, contact us at <a href="mailto:info@mersociety.org">info@mersociety.org</a>. <hr />Spaces limited - IGA Interpreter Course!If you are interested in the Interpretive Guides Association of Canada's 1-day Apprentice Interpreter course on April 12th in Nanaimo or May 28th in Campbell River, <a href="https://interpretiveguides.org/apprentice-interpreter-and-apprentice-hiking-guide/upcoming-apprentice-interpreter-courses/" target="_blank">register at this link</a> and use the code MERSAI2024 to receive $25 off the IGA course fee (discount only available to MERS Course registrants). Please note, this extra course is optional and not affiliated with MERS but we wanted to share this opportunity with our participants as it may serve your professional development needs. If you have questions about the IGA course or registration, please connect with Tracey Gage at executivedirector@interpretiveguides.org.<hr /> We very much look forward to seeing you at the Course. Very best wishes,Team MERS

REGISTRATION FULL? <a href="https://form-can.keela.co/mers-course-waitlist-cr" target="_blank">Sign up for our waitlist here</a><a href="https://form-can.keela.co/waitlist-2024-nanaimo" target="_blank">.</a> We will notify you if a spot becomes available. The Marine Education and Research Society is once again offering a course on British Columbia's marine mammals including: whale species, seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises and otters too! The aim of the course is to enable others to inform and inspire marine mammal conservation. This is intensive, crash training for those working as whale watch naturalists, kayak guides, park staff, or others interested in helping with marine conservation through gaining a deeper knowledge of BC's marine mammals.  Please note that attendance for all sessions is mandatory. Successfully meeting this criteria will lead to a Certificate of Participation.   **Must be at least 18 years old to attend the course** Registration Cost: $625 per person ($300 non-refundable; remainder refundable up to 4 weeks prior to Course start). Registration is non-transferable.<hr />Course Bursary: For those who reside in B.C. and have a financial barrier to being able to attend but whose learning will strongly benefit local marine conservation / education, we are offering two bursaries to cover the cost of the course and a <a href="https://mersocietybc.square.site/product/marine-mammals-of-british-columbia/18?cp=true&amp;sa=false&amp;sbp=false&amp;q=false&amp;category_id=5" target="_blank">Marine Mammals of British Columbia</a><a href="https://mersocietybc.square.site/product/marine-mammals-of-british-columbia/18?cp=true&amp;sa=false&amp;sbp=false&amp;q=false&amp;category_id=5" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://mersocietybc.square.site/product/marine-mammals-of-british-columbia/18?cp=true&amp;sa=false&amp;sbp=false&amp;q=false&amp;category_id=5" target="_blank">book</a> (best resource to complement the content of the Course). The bursary deadline is February 15, 2024 and successful applicants will be notified by March 1, 2024.<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mmncbursary2024"> </a><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mmncbursary2024" target="_blank">Click here for the Bursary Application.</a><hr /> Schedule - 4 days:<ul><li>Friday, May 24 to Monday, May 27: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST (1 hour lunch break)</li></ul>Instructors: Jackie Hildering, Christie McMillan, Caitlin Birdsall, Leah Thorpe. Location: Maritime Heritage Centre (621 Island Highway), Campbell River     Topics covered:<ul><li>Marine Biodiversity of BC - from plankton to giants</li><li>Classification of Marine Mammals      </li><li>The Value of Being a Marine Mammal Naturalist      </li><li>Seals and Sea Lions - natural history and conservation concerns      </li><li>BC Killer Whale Populations - natural history and conservation concerns      </li><li>Grey Whales - natural history and conservation concerns      </li><li>Minke and Fin Whales - MERS research, natural history and conservation concerns      </li><li>Dolphins and Porpoises - natural history and conservation concerns      </li><li>The Return of Giants - MERS research into Humpback Whales      </li><li>Sea Otters - natural history and conservation concerns      </li><li>Identifying Marine Mammals in the Field      </li><li>Summary of conservation concerns and solutions</li></ul>If you have any questions, please contact <a href="mailto:info@mersociety.org">info@mersociety.org</a>.Cancellation Policy:$300 of the course fee is non-refundable. Remaining amount is refundable up to April 26, 2024.  No refunds will be provided for cancellations after April 26, 2024.<hr /> Apprentice Interpreter Course with the Interpretive Guides Association of Canada (IGA)Take what you have learned in the MERS course and turn it into interpretive materials and programs that engage your audience!   The Interpretive Guides Association of Canada (IGA) will be holding two 1-day Apprentice Interpreter course (April - Nanaimo, and May - Campbell River) those interested in obtaining interpretation training. Participants that take BOTH the MERS and IGA course will receive an Apprentice Interpreter Certification w/ Marine Mammal Naturalist Specialty from the IGA.<a href="https://mersociety.org/resources/Documents/MERS%20AI%20Course%20Syllabus%202023.pdf" target="_blank"> </a>The IGA and MERS courses are hosted separately. Locations/Dates: <ul><li>Nanaimo (VIU): April 12, 2024 - <a href="https://mersociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MERS-AI-Nanaimo-Course-2024.pdf">click here for more information</a> </li><li>Campbell River: May 28, 2024 - <a href="https://mersociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MERs-AI-Campbell-River-Course-2024.pdf">click here for more information</a></li></ul>Times (PST):<ul><li>Day 1 - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (Classroom session)</li><li>Test - at end of day 1 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm</li></ul>Course Cost: $185 plus GST. $25 off discount code will be provided to those registered in a MERS marine mammal course. <a href="https://interpretiveguides.org/apprentice-interpreter-and-apprentice-hiking-guide/upcoming-apprentice-interpreter-courses/" target="_blank">Register for the IGA Apprentice Interpreter Course at </a><a href="https://interpretiveguides.org/apprentice-interpreter-and-apprentice-hiking-guide/upcoming-apprentice-interpreter-courses/" target="_blank">this link</a>.

MERS Marine Education and Research Society

MERS Marine Mammal Naturalist Course 2024 - Campbell River

621 Island Hwy

Course Fee

$625

Course Fee with Book

$658