Welcome to the TWS Coastal and Marine Wildlife Working Group
The Coastal & Marine Wildlife Working Group (CMWWG) encompasses both coastal and marine biology, including a diverse array of topics and species including marine mammals, sea turtles, sharks, sea/shorebirds and more. We welcome students and professionals to join our mission of increasing collaboration and knowledge of the marine/coastal wildlife field.
Announcements
Credit: Zaara Kidwai
Are you looking for, or want to share a professional development opportunity? We have a living document of jobs, internships, fellowships, grants, conference opportunities, mentorships and more! Check out our ‘Opportunities’ document to learn more or contribute. We also have an archive of our old webinars that are available to watch.
We are in the process of submitting its charter petition! This is the first step in the official formation process.
The working group has developed many new positions and ways to get involved! Being an officer for the working group is a great way to learn more about the field, add to your resume and get more involved with conservation efforts. Check our officers list for open positions.
Become a member
Membership is available to all current TWS members. You may join our working group by logging in to your TWS account.
Officers
Open Positions:
Treasurer: Manages CMWG finances. Secures sponsorships and funding for events and programs. Oversees funding opportunities and awards (i.e. conference travel scholarships), ensuring financial support for students and professionals.
Committees
Policy & Conservation Committee
Chair: Olivia Trahan
Olivia is a junior at UNC Wilmington majoring in Biology, with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Science. Olivia is the current president of UNCW’s TWS Chapter, the Seahawk Wildlife Society, and Social Media Manager for the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program. She is also a Lab Research Assistant in the Population and Food Web Ecology Lab, where she conducts sea turtle bone aging and research. This summer, Olivia worked with the Soundwatch Boater Education Program on San Juan Island, WA to monitor and protect marine mammals, more specifically the endangered Southern Resident killer whales. She is very excited to have the opportunity to advocate for coastal and marine wildlife through the CMWG Policy Committee!
Legislation & Policy Research Coordinator: Anna Dubey
Open Positions:
Policy Education & Outreach Coordinator: Develops fact sheets, infographics and policy summaries to ensure members are informed.
Policy Liaison & Regulatory Watch Coordinator: Tracks and responds to policy developments. Reports findings to the Committee Chair and shares updates with Outreach. Monitors public comment periods and informs the committee of important deadlines.
Outreach & Communications Committee
Chair: Samantha Hamilton
Samantha is a research intern at Sea Otter Savvy and has supported the nonprofit with research efforts since 2022. She is passionate about improving human-sea otter coexistence on our coasts through a combination of research and outreach.
She graduated with a M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University in 2023. When she isn’t busy with research, she enjoys walking on the beach, baking and practicing yoga.
Blog Coordinator: Sonia Duran
Website Manager: Jackie Ganter
Jackie Ganter is a graduate student in the Environment, Ecology and Energy program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is currently studying the differences in space use of wild and rehabilitated sea turtles, as well as mammal community structure in coastal ghost forests. She also works with the Atlantic Marine Energy Center to investigate the potential interactions between marine energy and wildlife. When she is not studying, she enjoys hiking, kayaking and rock climbing.
Newsletter Coordinator: Margherita Silvestri
Margherita Silvestri is a PhD candidate in Marine Biology at the Universidad Austral de Chile. Her research focuses on how underwater noise and vessel traffic affect the behavior of the Chilean dolphin (Cephalorhynchus eutropia) in Northern Patagonia. She is passionate about marine mammals behavior and communication and now she is dedicated to connecting local communities with science through coastal conservation initiatives. In her free time she loves being outdoors, experimenting with new food recipes, gardening and playing music.
Open Positions:
Social Media & Discord Coordinator: Manages Instagram, Facebook posts and Discord server. Ensures consistent content delivery.
Membership & Professional Development Committee
Chair: Stephanie Crawford
Stephanie completed her MS in Biological Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She has worked with a variety of amphibians and mammals in Virginia, and various Pacific species such as sea otters, seals, walruses, whales, and porpoises. She is currently part of UAF’s Marine Ecotoxicology and Trophic Assessment Laboratory studying mercury concentrations of sea birds in the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea. In her spare time, she likes to decorate cakes, and spend time with her 10 dogs.
Opportunities & Resources Coordinator: Melisa Lera
Meli is a biologist in wildlife conservation, mostly focusing on cetaceans, but has worked on projects studying penguins, sea turtles, whales and kelp forests. She is also an environmental educator and guide in Antarctic tourism (where she has polar-plunged). During her free time, she loves being outdoors, sailing, walking her dog, reading and swimming.
Networking Coordinator: Amanda O’Brien
Student & Early Career Professional Representative: Hailey Grossman
Open Positions:
Training & Webinar Coordinator: Develops workshops, professional training and mentorship opportunities. Plans and moderates CMWG-hosted webinars, collaborating with Policy & Outreach Committees for relevant content.