| Organization: | The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation |
| Address: | 428 East Main Street |
| City: | Riverhead |
| State: | NY |
| Zip Code: | 11901 |
| Contact Name: | Jennifer Dusek |
| Title: | Educational Biologist |
| Phone Number: | 631-369-9840 |
| Fax Number: | 631-369-9826 |
| E-mail: | divrluvr@yahoo.com |
| Website: | www.riverheadfoundation.org |
| Mission: | The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that operates the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program in New York State. The primary mission of the Riverhead Foundation is to preserve and protect our marine environment through education, rehabilitation, and research. |
| Specific Goals: | The Riverhead Foundation's educational efforts are dedicated to informing the public about our marine environment and how they can aid in its preservation. The Riverhead Foundation engages in tours of the facility, lectures, seal cruises, ecology walks, and beach cleanups to foster good stewardship of the environment. |
| Professional Staff: | 10 |
| Volunteer Staff: | 125 |
| Adult Volunteers: | Yes |
| Youth Volunteers: | No |
| Title (1): | Behind the Scenes Tour |
| Grade (1): | 5 and up |
| Cost (1): | $75 flat rate |
| Describe (1): | Bring a group of 20 or less into the Rescue Facility of the Riverhead Foundation. While touring, you will learn about sea turtles and seals, as well as view these animals while they recover. Tour lasts about 1 hour. |
| Title (2): | Beach Cleanup |
| Grade (2): | all |
| Cost (2): | $2 per person |
| Describe (2): | Join Riverhead Foundation biologists as they clean debris from local beaches. Details of just how certain pollutants can effect marine mammals and sea turtles. Animal and plant life will also be discussed. |
| Title (3): | Marine Mammal or Sea Turtle Necropsy |
| Grade (3): | 7 and up |
| Cost (3): | $350 flat rate |
| Describe (3): | Bring a group of 20 or less to the Riverhead Foundation for a necropsy. Join the Director of the NYS Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program as she explains the anatomy and physiology of the specimen. Individuals are welcome to participate to any level with which they feel comfortable! |
| Title (4): | Lectures |
| Grade (4): | all |
| Cost (4): | depends on county |
| Describe (4): | We can come to you! Biologists will review the biology of seals, sea turtles, and/or whales through a slide show and artifacts. The efforts of the Riverhead Foundation's Rescue Program will be discussed as well. |
| Materials Title (1): | Website |
| Grade (a): | all |
| Cost (a): | none |
| Describe (a): | Biological and research information on seal, sea turtle, and whale species can be accessed through our website. The site also provides visitors with information on who to contact if they come across an injured animal. Volunteer opportunities are listed here as well. |
| Materials Title (2): | Rescue Center |
| Grade (b): | all |
| Cost (b): | admission to aquarium |
| Describe (b): | Within Atlantis Marine World is our Rescue Center. This room allows visitors to experience the mission of the Riverhead Foundation. See rehabilitating sea turtles or seals, touch seal fur, investigate whale baleen. Here visitors can see if we have been to their neighborhood to pick up any animals, as maps are displayed which plot the locations of rescues on Long Island. |
| State Standards: | We are currently reviewing possible connections. |
| Other Opportunities: | The Riverhead Foundation runs a Volunteer Program for both ourselves and Atlantis Marine World. Orientations are held on the 1st of every month at 6:30pm at the aquarium. Community service credit can be applied. |
