Volunteering at the MMCC has been a wonderful experience and gift to myself. The mission of the MMCC is one I feel extremely passionate about. Witnessing a sick or injured marine mammal return to it's ocean home is incredibly rewarding and heartwarming. And what this organization does to make it's volunteers feel valued and respected is nothing short of outstanding - "Thank you's" abound, a top notch volunteer newsletter to keep us all informed, and plenty of opportunities for education and enrichment. This experience has not only made me a better steward of the ocean and the marine life that resides within it but a better person, in general. I am very grateful.
This organization gives ill and malnourished seals and sea lions a second chance by getting them healthy, so that they can return home. They also educate the public about ocean conservation. I have volunteered there since 2016 and everyone there is dedicated to the mission.
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MMCCLA rescues, rehabilitates, and releases sick and injured seals and sea lions. It not only helps the animals but also educates the public about the importance of marine conservation. Over 100 volunteers dedicate many hours to taking care of the animals and educating the public. It is a great organization.
The Marine Mammal Care Center is a respected and loved part of our South Bay Community. I love learning about the interdependence we all share while living in our Marine Environment. And I am so grateful the Marine Mammal Center provides help to the marine mammals that share this environment. You will love the opportunity to share in what the Center has to offer. Thank you Marine Mammal center!
I cannot say enough good things about the Marine Mammal Care Center! From the moment I walked in, it was clear that this facility is deeply committed to the well-being and rehabilitation of marine animals. What truly stood out to me was the exceptional dedication and professionalism of both the education and husbandry staff.
The education team is top-notch—friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about raising awareness for marine conservation. They provided an enriching experience, helping us understand the importance of protecting marine life. The hands-on learning opportunities they offer, especially for children, are outstanding. They really go above and beyond to make sure everyone leaves with a greater appreciation and understanding of marine mammals and the challenges they face.
As for the husbandry staff, their care and compassion for the animals are beyond compare. You can tell they are not only experts in their field, but also have a deep love for the animals they rehabilitate. Watching them work with the seals and sea lions was nothing short of inspiring.
Overall, the Marine Mammal Care Center is a beacon of hope for marine life in need. I wholeheartedly recommend visiting and supporting this amazing organization!
The Marine Mammal Care Center in Los Angeles provides tremendous support in the community for seals and sea lions but also as a hub with public lectures, volunteer opportunities, youth programming, in person and virtual tours and much more. The level of engagement, accessibility and inclusion is tremendous, whether a toddler or an experienced educator.
My son did his Eagle project for Boy Scouts at the MMCC. It was a terrific experience and he is still highly committed to MMCC 1.5 years later. We love visiting the MMCC and attending mammal releases when they happen. The excellent staff and leadership at MMCC keeps us informed and involved.
The Marine Mammal Care Center is an amazing non-profit pinniped rehabilitation facility that excels in its educational programming, animal care initiatives, wildlife rescue and conservation work not only for marine mammals but also for ocean health as a whole. As a volunteer for nearly two years now who has contributed over 600 service hours in many of these roles, I can attest that anyone who visits or volunteers will see the heartfelt dedication put towards making the MMCC and our environment a better place for everyone.
This is a wonderful organization with an amazing and dedicated staff. MMCC does terrific work in Marine Mammal Conservation and Rehabilitation.
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The Marine Mammal Care Center is a wonderful place to visit. They do amazing work and the staff are so caring. The volunteer docents are so knowledgeable and passionate about the MMCC and make the visit a pleasant and educational experience. It is definitely worth a trip to go and see what they are doing. You can also follow them on social media to see releases of the seals and sea lions.
I went through an incredibly destructive DA event affecting local sea lions last year with MMCC. I was amazed by the dedication, follow-through, education, and overall positive attitude of staff and volunteers (both veteran and brand new like me) that persisted throughout the months of this event. It really made me want to continue to be a part of the MMCC team. When you can build relationships through an episode like that, you feel like you together you can make it through anything.
Working with the team at the Marine Mammal Care Center as a "pinniped patrol" volunteer is a wonderful experience. I live a bit too far from the center to have a regularly scheduled volunteer shift, but when MMCC needed help a year ago during an epidemic of domoic acid poisonings to seals and sea lions along the Southern California coast, I jumped at the chance to help. The center called for volunteers to be the first on the scene to give MMCC staff an initial evaluation of whether a pinniped needed their expert care - and potential transport to the center for rehab.
The Center showed their ability to react and respond to a crises of this magnitude, coming up with a "WhatsApp" alert system to communicate with first responders on the beach like myself. After many years working in the non-profit environmental world, I've found MMCC to be an organization that knows how to communicate well with its volunteers, providing the necessary education and tools that keeps even remote volunteers in the loop and feeling appreciated. The Center is a well run facility with opportunities for the public to visit, providing a wealth of information about the importance of protecting the marine environment and giving visitors the chance to gain an appreciation and love for these marine mammals. Successful rehabilitation of many of the patients at MMCC are often celebrated with a release back into the ocean, with volunteers and the public invited to cheer the animals on as they return to their natural home.
I'm proud to be part of their important work and believe they are worthy of a top-rated, great non-profit.
I love that they stick to their mission of marine animal rescue, rehabilitation, research and education. Although I've only been a volunteer with MMCC for a few months I have been able to see every aspect of the mission because that is what they do and who they are. I was invited to attend a volunteer appreciation event by a friend and the excitement, love and enthusiasm that I witnessed from the staff and volunteers made me want to be a part of this great organization. I truly love that they take time to educate the volunteers. I have learned so much about marine life through the town hall meetings, videos and resources that they shared to help me get to know our patients and other marine animals even better. It has been a pleasure being a Marine Mammal Care Center Volunteer.
MMCC is the only authorized organization to respond to, rescue and rehabilitate marine mammals in all of LA county- covering over 75 miles of coastline. When visiting the center, you are greeted by an extraordinary community of passionate volunteers that share the same commitment to making a positive difference in the world. As a little girl I was so inspired that I never forgot about this one of a kind place and long story short decided to start volunteering myself! I highly recommend planning a visit for all ages!
This small nonprofit is passionate about their work. They have volunteer programs that allows volunteers to contribute in meaningful ways in each department. They host volunteer townhalls to keep us informed and updated on their operations and the impact of our volunteer work. Each staff seems to be available and approachable. They do a great job saving the animals, the ocean environment, and outreach to kids and the public. Amazing!
I volunteered an Education Docent about 5 years ago and loved my time volunteering there. It is a wonderful place for sea lions and elephant and fur seals. Such compassionate and caring people. I am so happy there is this place!
What a beautiful opportunity to connect to our oceans!
The staff at MMCC is above and beyond knowledgeable, invested in their work, warm and welcoming, and dedicated to ensure their visitor experience is top notch!
I actually found the MMCC as a newcomer to San Pedro, by following the noise of the seal and sea lion patients to the front gate.
I came on board as a shop volunteer, then educational docent, and now animal care trainee as well, and truly believe that a visit to the Marine Mammal Care Center should be at the top of the list for any visit to San Pedro.
We have made our support of the MMCC a "family affair" and feel this is such a worthy investment of time and resources!
The Marine Mammal Care Center holds a special place in the hearts of locals and new visitors alike, and is not to be missed. Come check it out!
They have a great team of educators that are very knowledgable about current science and motivated to create real change!
MMCC is an amazing facility! They are so committed to helping sick and injured marine mammals and promoting ocean stewardship. MMCC staff and volunteers are so dedicated/amazing individuals who are very passionate about their mission! A truly incredible place- highly recommend everyone to go!
This place is really neat! I've taken my friends there quite a few times and they always say they have a good time and learn a bunch of stuff about marine mammals that they. never knew. This place is a real hidden gem that more people should visit if given the chance! Plus its free so that's always cool with me!
MMCC is completely dedicated to helping marine mammals in distress. This was well shown during the harmful algal bloom during the summer of 2023. They also offer educational programs to help raise awareness of the need for everyone to adopt ocean stewardship behaviors.
I’ve been volunteering for Marine Mammal Care Center since the beginning of the pandemic in 2019. I have watched the dedicated team save countless marine mammals. Each time I am at the center it brings great joy to my life! I love sharing that joy with the public, during their visits as well. Anyone visiting San Pedro or Los Angeles should come for a tour & meet the animals!!