[Return to Volunteer Main Page] [Return to Ocean Count Main Page] Project Information Volunteer Information Site Leader Information Site Descriptions Project Results Photo Gallery Ocean Count Volunteer Information View a pdf presentation that provides information on volunteering. click here Volunteers are essential in conducting the sanctuary's annual Ocean Count event. Like our site leaders, volunteers monitor the water for signs of humpback whale activity, help record whale behaviors, complete a site map, and contribute to public awareness about whale watch opportunities around the islands. The majority of participants are local residents, however expanding interest has brought us calls from the mainland, New Zealand and Australia. It is always exciting to hear from interested individuals who say they are planning their vacations around the Ocean Count! General Instructions Register in December of 2007 for the 2008 Sanctuary Ocean Count! Once you have selected a site and date for the count, please contact the appropriate coordinator (Big Island 1-888-55-WHALE ext. 253, Kaua`i 246-2860, or O`ahu 397-2651 ext. 253) to register. Some sites fill up quickly so we recommend that you register as early as possible. If your site is already full, your count coordinator can recommend an alternate location for you. As the event gets closer you will need to contact the designted site leader for your site to find out the specific details for meeting times and locations. The count coordinator will give you the site leader's contact information when you register. Your site leader will be responsible for organizing the volunteers at your site and relaying any last-minute information from the Ocean Count coordinators. Volunteers at one of our Kona sites relax in the sun On the day of the event, you will be asked to arrive at your site around 7:30 a.m. to get settled and receive instructions for data collection procedures. Some items you may consider bringing with you include pens or pencils, clipboards, binoculars, beach chairs or mats, hats, jackets, umbrellas, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water. A cellular telephone is also helpful in case of emergencies. Site leaders will be responsible for collecting all data sheets from the volunteers and submitting them back to the count coordinators. Volunteers are also asked to fill out an evaluation form (which you can download below) to provide comments and suggestions for improving the event. Feel free to give them to your site leader to forward or send them directly to the sanctuary office. Safety is a primary concern during the Ocean Count. If weather or environmental conditions during the ocean count become unsafe, please abort the effort and vacate the area to ensure the safety of yourself and others. We recommend that while whale watching, all necessary precautions be taken as conditions at some of these shore sites can become unsafe. We advise that proper clothing and footwear be worn at all times. Never turn your back to the ocean or walk along steep cliffs. Thank you for your interest in the Sanctuary Ocean Count and we hope you have a great day of whale watching! [top]