SAVE THE WHALES INC
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June 13, 2013
I am a teacher who hired this program to give an in-class presentation. It was an excellent, engaging mix of hands-on activities and presentation format.
Tom arrived in plenty of time to set up his sizable collection of equipment. The show was about sea turtles. I learned a lot, and the students were still talking about it weeks later. The thing that made the biggest impression on them was how plastic bags end up looking like sea jellies and get ingested by leatherback turtles, who then can't get the bags out because of the sharp barbs in their throats (evolved to capture and retain the jellies). This can lead to obstructions, and in some cases, even death.
The students mentioned some of the content taught by Tom in their year-end summary. I would love to see this program grow and reach more schools.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Create more of an office infrastructure to support a huge amount of growth of the program.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
June 12, 2013
I have donated to Save the Whales, Inc. for over 25 years. I have always been impressed by how they do so much with a very small staff and are completely dedicated to the cause of helping marine mammals keep their place on this planet. It's been inspiring to see how the organization has changed and evolved over time. As our understanding of what threatens the oceans is clearer, Save the Whales has shifted their energies to educate us about these new and increasing threats such as non-point source pollutants, plastics, sound pollution, and entanglement. Their commitment to educating others has been steadfast, through student programs, college interns, tabling events and their newsletters. I have also been inspired many, many times by other members (some very young) who have raised money (by a huge variety of means), consciousness and motivation to also help in the very long fight to give marine mammals a voice. I will continue to support Save the Whales, Inc. and their fantastic work.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give them a steady source of income, so they could make long-range plans for programs and staff.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
June 11, 2013
Save the Whales does valuable conservation work on many fronts. Their Whales on Wheels Programs do a fantastic job educating students with engaging hands-on lessons. The Save the Whales website educates the world by providing accurate and up-to-date information about different marine mammals and the threats to their survival. Furthermore, the dedicated staff of Save the Whales goes above and beyond when threats to marine mammals become critical. Some examples of this are the fight against the Navy’s Sonar Ship Shock proposals, the Save the Whales targeted programs to save the highly endangered Vaquitas, and numerous ocean pollution programs. The Save the Whales staff live and breath conservation. They put their hearts and souls into their work. They are effective advocates for the health of marine mammals, our oceans, and ultimately the health of all living things on our planet.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
March 10, 2011
I am a science teacher and underwater videographer. The Save the Whales website serves as a great resource for students seeking information about different marine mammal species and about the things which threaten the health of these animals. I am impressed by the Whales on Wheels program which is inspiring students to get involved in the preservation of healthy ocean environments. While filming underwater in the ocean, I have been eye to eye with whales, dolphins and seals. I have had all of these animals look me in the eyes, and I have experienced their awareness. Huge whales have gently swam right next to me underwater and have shown no aggressive or threatening behavior towards me. Groups of dolphins have surrounded me underwater and have playfully clicked at me and twirled all around me. I have had mother gray whales bring their babies over to our boat so that we could reach down and gently rub their skin. I have seen these same whales roll on their sides to look up at us from underwater. I have been amazed and surprised by the behaviors of these animals and have come to appreciate how important it is for us to protect them. Save the Whales educates people about the splendor and beauty of these amazing animals and teaches how many of these animals are carelessly and not so carelessly being harmed or killed. I donate video footage to Save the Whales because I believe in their cause.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen Save the Whales inspire students and I have seen Save the Whales take strong actions to protect marine mammals.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Help them to reach more students with their education programs.
June 11, 2013
Save the Whales has assisted the municipalities on the Monterey Peninsula in reducing the pollutants that end up in Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean when it rains. STW assists us by performing many of the tasks that we undertake to improve storm water quality , all with a careful eye on saving costs and working efficiently. STW has saved us tens of thousands of dollars over the past few years by eliminating unnecessary expenses and focusing on the tasks that will make the largest impact on our environment. STW is doing the "boots on the ground" work that results in real improvements to water quality, both projects in our communities and through educating people on how our actions affect the world we live in - both positively and negatively. Most of my day is spent pushing a lot of paper and completing seemingly meaningless tasks that too often seem unrelated to making a positive difference in the world. STW is making a real difference right now - not through philosophical arguments but through their investment of hard work in our communities. We have all benefitted from their efforts - and whether we realize it or not, they are still doing the work!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Clone the Director so there was more of her to go around!
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
June 6, 2013
I am a 2nd grade teacher at a small private school in Santa Cruz. Save the Whales came to our school, worked with our schedule, and produced 3 wonderfully different presentations for different grade levels. The students were engaged the entire presentation and they really not only learned a lot, but also learned how and why we need to Save our Whales! This was the third year that we have had the pleasure of Save the Whales and I am looking forward to many more years with Save the Whales!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
N/A
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
June 6, 2013
I am a teacher at a small private school in Santa Cruz. We always look forward to the hands on approach that we receive when the Save the Whales program comes to our school. The impact on our students is tremendous. They have lessons at our school about the ocean and ocean life, but not every student gets the chance to see the footage of film that comes with this program and hear the explanation of the life of the sea otter that is presented. The children are all captivated by the instructor Tom and when he leaves the special materials, we are able to continue with the lesson that he has just presented. This is an excellent program and schools should take advantage of the instruction that this nonprofit wants to provide. We love having them come to our school and look forward to their return each year.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Have them come more than once to our school with a different lesson each visit
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
May 29, 2013
Save the Whales is an amazing nonprofit organization that makes an impact on cetacean conservation with a very small staff and dedicated volunteers. As president of the American Cetacean Society, the world's oldest whale conservation organization, I am impressed by the nimble response of Save the Whales to issues of concern and by the dedication of its staff. ACS Monterey Bay collaborated with Save the Whales to form Viva Vaquita, and the partnership has been positive and effective. Save the Whales is a fixture at community events and inspires children by bringing cetaceans to the classroom.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
provide funding for additional staff for teaching and outreach.
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
1 person found this review helpful
May 29, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
I am a professional marine mammal biologist who has been working in the field for 30 years. I began to work with Save the Whales about 4 years ago, when we started collaborating on an effort to try and help save the world's most endangered marine mammal (the vaquita porpoise of Mexico's Sea of Cortez) from extinction VIVA Vaquita. Since then, I have had many positive experiences with STW, and have worked closely with all their staff on this and other important conservation issues.
I have found the organization be 100% dedicated to their mission of saving marine mammals, and I am constantly impressed with how much good work they can do with a relatively small amount of funding and a small cadre of volunteer and part-time staff. STW has made a measurable difference in helping to preserve cetaceans, and I applaud them for their efforts. I also look forward to many years of collaborative work with them in the effort to preserve our planet's threatened marine wildlife.
Tom Jefferson
Marine Mammal Biologist
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Allow them to obtain more funding to do their important work.
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
1 person found this review helpful
May 29, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
It is with respect and delight that I write a review for Maris and her Save the Whales organization. She has been coming to teach my fourth grade class for many years now, and I always look forward to her presentations. Maris speaks from her heart, uses interesting models, and keeps the children totally engaged in the learning process. The presentation covers many aspects of ocean conservancy that are being taught to my students....be guardians of the oceans, habitat protection, caring for animals of the oceans, oil spills, littering, and pollution of earth, air, and oceans. Maris brings materials for us to use such as posters about drains leading to the oceans, stencils for us to put around our school drains that say that these lead to the sea, whale bones and measuring of their sizes, costumes of sea otters and whale parts etc. It is always intriguing to the children, and each year I learn new facts from the presentations. It is totally honest of me to say that having Maris visit my classroom is one of our highlights of the year. We are lucky to have Maris and Tom in our community, teaching children such vital facts in a fun and organized manner. The children are the future, and they are given ocean facts and thoughts to carry with them into adulthood.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
May 28, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
As a university service learning instructor, I have partnered with Save the Whales for the past 7 or 8 years. Every semester groups of my students do their service with Save the Whales. Their experiences in the community and with the super staff of Save the Whales are consistently meaningful. Students have multiple experiences interacting with the public and come away inspired to continue both with the program but in marine science based outreach. The students are inspired by the passion and commitment of the Save the Whales staff as much as the scope of the programs. From preserving Vaquitas in the Gulf of California to eliminating toxic runoff in the Monterey Bay, the work of Save the Whales is instrumental to preserving the health of our planet and its many creatures.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
wave my magic wand so that they had sufficient funding so that staff could dedicate their time 100% to program presentation instead of fundraising.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
March 8, 2011
Save the Whales is a partner with the two organizations with which I work:
With the Service Learning Institute at California State University Bay Save the Whales (STW) is one of our primary community partners. This means that they are always prepared, eager, and ever so organized to accept our student service learners. Our students gain great community experiences with STW, they learn about ocean issues, and more so they are inspired by the commitment and vision of the founder, Maris Sidensteker
With Return of the Natives Restoration Education Project, STW is a partner in doing classroom outreach about ocean pollution in classrooms in Salinas, CA. Quite honestly, the visits by STW biologist, Tom Keckifer, are a highlight of the school year for students. Tom is an amazing human being, honest and genuine with the students, and full of relevant information
And finally with the Seaside Sustainability Committee. Return of the Natives and STW are partnering to plant native plants which will cut down on and filter run-off in pocket parks throughout the community
In short, STW is a great choice for a great non-profit.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I am personally experienced the work of STW through our many partnerships.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Get them more resources so that their impact could be greater.
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