News Release

Cape Cod National Seashore Seeks Seal Education Team Volunteers

Seal Education Team volunteers talk with visitors at seal haul outs, share binoculars, and help maintain a safe viewing distance.

NPS

News Release Date: April 8, 2019

Contact: Sue Moynihan, Chief, Interpretation and Cultural Resources Management, 508-957-0738

WELLFLEET, Mass. – 2019 will mark the 10th year that Cape Cod National Seashore has provided ambassadors for public education and viewing opportunities on beaches where seals haul out to rest at low tide. The service is provided by more than 20 members of the volunteer Seal Education Team. This year the national seashore is seeking additional volunteers.

Beginning in early summer, volunteers work in teams to staff haul outs in Truro and Eastham, sharing binoculars and information with visitors and encouraging safe viewing. The ideal volunteer enjoys engaging with the public and has an interest in learning about the marine environment and the biology and natural history of seals. New volunteers are paired with experienced volunteers, many of whom have been on the team since its inception. Shift times vary daily with the tide, and volunteers work a minimum of three, four-hour shifts per month on dates that work with their other commitments. Volunteers may choose between Truro and Eastham sites. The work involves walking distances in sand and standing in the sun for up to four hours. Two training sessions are held in late spring, and volunteers are provided with education tools and reference materials.

To learn more about becoming a Seal Education Team volunteer, contact Sue Moynihan, Chief, Interpretation and Cultural Resources Management at [phone] or by email.