A day event for Cornwall residents to be trained in recording dead marine animals around our coastline as part of a national project.

For over 20 years, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network has been at the heart of protecting our coastlines, gathering critical data on dead or stranded marine wildlife. What started as a local effort has now become a beacon of conservation, earning national respect and making a lasting impact on the preservation of our natural world.

This vital work depends on the dedication of volunteers. Each year, we train new citizen scientists to respond to strandings and help document these incidents, contributing to an ever-growing body of knowledge that shapes conservation efforts and action. If you’re passionate about making a difference and safeguarding our marine wildlife, this is your opportunity to take action and be part of the Marine Strandings Network.

Important: This training is for Cornish residents who will respond to local strandings. All other UK strandings are coordinated by the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) - https://ukstrandings.org.

Callout Volunteer Training

We invite you to join us for a dynamic, full-day training session, designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to become a valued volunteer for our Marine Strandings Network.

The training will take place at Newquay University Centre. Attendance to the entire day is required to qualify as a volunteer.

In the morning, we’ll introduce you to the Marine Strandings Network, explain how it operates, and guide you through cetacean identification, essential health and safety protocols, and how to accurately complete our recording forms for cetaceans and seals. These records are crucial for our conservation work.

In the afternoon, we will have a hands-on session where you’ll participate in a simulated stranding using life-sized models of a dolphin, porpoise, and seal. You’ll practice recording data, observe health and safety procedures, and learn the proper retrieval techniques. This interactive training is both educational and engaging, with a serious purpose at its heart.

The cost for the training is £20, which includes an information pack and a strandings kit to take home. Please bring your own lunch, along with warm, waterproof clothing and sensible footwear for the outdoor session in the afternoon.

We are also offering free refresher places for our existing volunteers—please select the free ticket option when booking. All free ticket holders will be verified against our active volunteer database.

Spaces are limited, and booking is essential. Once registered, you’ll receive the program and venue map by Thursday 1st October, in preparation for the training on the 3rd. We look forward to welcoming you!

PLEASE NOTE: This training is for Cornish residents who will attend Cornish strandings, as all other UK strandings are coordinated and managed by the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) - https://ukstrandings.org.

Description supplied by the event organiser.