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What is now the SLEWTHS volunteer
job training program first began at the University of
California's Long Marine Laboratory in Santa Cruz in 1989.
Since that time, it has continually developed (and hopefully
improved) to provide the best possible marriage of a solid
liberal education in marine mammalogy for the volunteers,
balanced with the ever challenging needs of caring for
the animals and conducting marine science and education.
In 1998 the program permanently relocated to Moss Landing
Marine Labs, where we built a custom facility designed
to provide excellent ocean access. |
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Over 190 volunteers, mostly students, have
come through the program representing three colleges and two
universities in the Monterey Bay area. The project generally
maintains a staff of 12- 20 volunteers who intern to develop
a perspective on marine mammals and fields that involve them.
The experience is always different for each person, and some
of the opportunities can be customized to suit the particular
interests of the person. People working with the project most
frequently develop careers in the related fields of research
(graduate school), veterinary medicine, education, animal public
display, animal training, and stranding rehabilitation. Most
of what is gained from the experience depends on the input of
the individual. Volunteers have learned to do everything from
formal professional presentations to building marine mammal
facilities. |
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