How You Can Help
There are many different ways you can help our marine mammal rescue and education efforts.
Spread the Word
We want everyone to know what to do if he or she spots a seal or other marine mammal on a beach:
- Watch quietly from at least 150 feet away
- Keep dogs away from the animal
- Do not offer the animal food or water
- Do not pour water on the animal
- Do not cover the animal with a towel or blanket
- Do not try to move the animal
- Call 603-997-9448 and report the animal’s location, size, coloring, and behavior
Please spread the word about Seacoast Science Center Marine Mammal Rescue and add the hotline number, 603-997-9448, to your cell phone. Also, “like” us on Facebook and ask your friends to like us too! We’ll post rescue photos and updates on the animals we respond to on our MMR Facebook page so you can follow the latest news.
MMR Facebook Page
Want to help educate your friends about seal safety? Follow us on Facebook and share our posts or use the resources we’ve put together for you in our social media toolkit.
Support our work
Because of your philanthropy, we can continue our important wildlife conservation work, including responding to and rescuing marine mammals from our beaches, educating our community about ocean ecology, and instilling a commitment to conservation.
We also have many corporate partnership opportunities for our rescue and education efforts as well as partnership opportunities for events that support the program. Please contact Natalee at 603-436-8043, ext. 10 or n.martin@sscnh.org to learn more about corporate giving.
Donate Rescue Items from our Amazon Wish List
We established an Amazon Wish List of supplies needed for our rescue and response work. The list is updated as supply needs change.
Volunteer
The Center’s Marine Mammal Rescue volunteers are deployed to respond to reports of live and dead marine mammals that are hauled out or stranded on the coast of New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts (from Essex, MA north). At the scene, volunteers complete a checklist of observations, take photographs, and report their findings to the Center. MMR volunteers do not touch, pick up, feed, or rehabilitate live animals. MMR staff are responsible for the final decision on the disposition of the animal. Field volunteers monitor animals and make sure the animal is not being approached by people or pets.
Requirements for MMR Volunteers:
- Submit an MMR Volunteer application
- Complete an interview process
- Complete a criminal background check
- Attend mandatory training once every two years
- Attend mandatory meetings 1-2 times per year
- Make a two-year commitment
- Must feel comfortable dealing with the public and police
- Must have the ability to follow protocols in stressful situations
- Must be willing to work in all weather conditions
- Must have a valid driver’s license, ready access to a reliable vehicle, and proof of car insurance.
- Must have a cell phone and a camera capable of sending photographs to MMR staff from the scene
- Must be at least 18 years of age. Must have proof of an up-to-date tetanus vaccination.
At this time, SSC’s Marine Mammal Rescue volunteer team is fully staffed.
If you are interested in volunteering, please complete our MMR volunteer application; we will keep it on file and contact you when we have openings.
