The latest episode of Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast features a conversation with Kirsten Donald, a marine mammal biologist, educator, and ocean advocate with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California. This renowned rescue center responds to whales and dolphins in distress while rehabilitating and releasing hundreds of sick and injured seals and sea lions each year.

Before joining the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Kirsten spent 18 years at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, where she also co-founded and directed the College of Marine Mammal Professions.

Learn about the current state of marine mammals, the impacts of climate change, and challenges facing gray whales. Kirsten shares memorable release stories—including a group of sea lion pups who checked in on each other before re-entering the ocean—and discusses why now is the time to strengthen, not weaken, marine mammal protection.

** Links & Resources **

Pacific Marine Mammal Center

It’s Time To Save The Whales Again

Blue Frontier: Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild.

Blue Frontier on Substack

Inland Ocean Coalition: Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection

Fluid Studios: Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.