When the Whales Win, Everyone Wins: A Tale of Humpbacks and Transformation 

Thursday, May 8, 2025
Noyo Center Marine Field Station
32430 N. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg
5:00 Happy Hour
6:00 Presentation Begins

There is no charge for this event, but please let us know you are coming:

National Geographic Explorer, Katherina Audley with her story of how a union between humpback whales and a small community in Guerrero, Mexico, led to positive change for both. Learn about the journey of Whales of Guerrero, a groundbreaking citizen science project founded in 2013 by Katherina Audley. Find out how her vision cultivated a spirit of conservation, empowering local fishermen and boat operators to thrive through ecotourism while safeguarding a little-explored marine environment. The transformation of this once-struggling coastal region into a vibrant hub known for its diverse and abundant marine wildlife, where young people are now flourishing as ecotourism guides, whale naturalists, and conservation-minded entrepreneurs has become a model for coastal communities worldwide. Explore how the collaborative research efforts not only contributed to an increase in the local humpback whale population and their relaxed behavior around boats but also led to international protections for these magnificent creatures. Now based at the Noyo Center for Marine Science, Katherina will connect this powerful story to our own backyard, as the very humpback whales that breed in Guerrero feed off the coast of Mendocino. Join us for an insightful presentation and an engaging discussion about the vital lessons learned and how we can all work together to foster healthy oceans and thriving coastal communities. 

There is no fee for our science talk presentations, but your donations help to support the resources it takes to bring you these programs and speakers.