The Dolphin Project is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the wild estuarine Bottlenose dolphin on the coasts of Georgia and lower South Carolina. The Dolphin Project collaborates with marine scientists and fosters public concern for our coastal wildlife and environment through research, conservation, and education. This is accomplished, in part, by monthly on-water, Photo-ID surveys.
The Volunteer Opportunity
The Dolphin Project was established in 1989 – and is celebrating it’s 30th Anniversary year.
The Dolphin Project is the only organization of its kind to. be granted a government permit to conduct long-term, scientific studies of Tursiops truncatus – Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin – in Georgia and lower South Carolina coastal estuarine waters, Photo-identification surveys take place on inshore waters from January through November, from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to St. Mary’s, Georgia. The Dolphin Project volunteers seek to contribute to the knowledge base of Bottlenose Dolphin through the sharing of collected field data. Regular collaboration takes place both formally and informally with research scientists, universities, government agencies, and other scientific organizations. The Dolphin Project has co-conducted on-site research of the wild Bottlenose dolphin on a consistent basis for the past 30 years.
Training for prospective members occurs monthly.
Location: Richmond Hill Public Library, 9607 Ford Ave., Richmond Hill, GA USA
Date: Sunday, August 11, 2019. 12 – 3 pm and Saturday, September 7, 10 am – 1 pm
Volunteer Responsibilites
- Volunteers must attend a training session in order to participate in the monthly on-water, Photo-ID surveys. Surveys are scheduled a year in advance and may be located on The Dolphin Project website: www.thedolphinproject.org, and on our Facebook page: The Dolphin Project – TDP.
- Surveys are rain or shine and last from 9 am – 3 pm
- Training is specific to one of the following positions: Skipper (using their boat), Team Leader who records all the relevant data, Photographer (with a 300 mm lens)
- Volunteers must participate in at least one survey per year
- Surveys occur monthly with the exception of January
- Volunteers are also needed for assisting in education events
Volunteer Benefits
- Knowledge on the environment, the wild Bottlenose dolphin, and the estuarine waters from Hilton Head Island to St Mary’s, GA
- The camaraderie with like-minded people
Apply & Contact Details
To apply, visit www.thedolphinproject.org or email [email protected]