Pinnipeds and Pints: Strengthening our Community and Marine Mammal Care

Pinnipeds and Pints has become a cherished tradition at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC), bringing together staff, volunteers, and other partners for engaging discussions on best practices in marine mammal care. Every few weeks, the center hosts a guest speaker for a virtual evening chat, fostering education, collaboration, and camaraderie within the marine conservation community.

During our recent San Diego Member Organization visits (check out our social media for more on that trip!), we were honored to be invited to present to PMMC’s ever-growing team. 

Serendipity was on our side, as our time in Southern California aligned perfectly with a Pinnipeds and Pints event.  Dr. Jamie Sherman and I made our way north to Laguna Beach for the final stop on our week-long journey, excited to connect with the passionate individuals dedicated to marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation.

The PMMC team graciously accommodated a hybrid presentation—something I hadn't done in a while, making it a great opportunity to refresh those skills!

Our presentation provided an in-depth look at the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) and what it means to be a responder through one of our Member Organizations. Dr. Sherman also wove in the impactful story of the 2015 Refugio oil spill and its significant pinniped intakes. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the spill, and one of our team members is planning to reflect on that pivotal event in an upcoming blog—stay tuned!

A huge thank you to PMMC for their warm hospitality and for continuing to foster such a dynamic and engaged marine mammal care community. It’s events like these that strengthen our network and ensure we remain at the forefront of wildlife response and rehabilitation. 

If you or your Member Organization have an event that you'd like us to speak at, please email OWCN@ucdavis.edu