Discover whales, dolphins and more in Orange County, CA
The American Cetacean Society is the first non-profit conservation group anywhere devoted to cetaceans - whales, dolphins and porpoises. ACS-OC provides a variety of resources that include expert speakers, naturalist training, and educational materials.
Getting to Know Gray Whales: My Lifetime of Research
FeaturingDr. David Weller
March 28, 20247:00 pmPST
Dr. David Weller has been studying the biology and ecology of whales and dolphins for 40 years. His specialization is in the areas of wildlife science, population assessment and evaluation of potential disturbance impacts from human activities. He received his Ph.D. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University in 1998. Prior to that, he completed B.A. and M.A. degrees at the University of Hawaii and San Diego State University, respectively. He has been in residence at Southwest Fisheries Science Center since 1998.
Dave has decades of experience designing field projects, collecting data and completing analyses to produce scientific end products. He has supervised multi-cultural field teams in remote and often dangerous conditions as well as overseeing laboratory and analytical work. A major component of his research since 1997 has been focused on gray whales and he has authored or co-authored 90+ papers or reports on this species. These papers cover both the eastern and western North Pacific, including areas off Mexico, California, Canada, Russia, Korea, Japan and China.
The ACS-OC Mission:
The American Cetacean Society - Orange County, works to protect whales, dolphins, porpoises, and their habitat through education, conservation and research. We believe cetacean education and outreach is one of the best ways to promote conservation efforts of cetaceans. Established over 50 years ago by a team of conservation giants; we aim to honor their legacy by continuing to be a leader in cetacean conservation.
Monthly speaker series.
Join us each month for insights and inspiring work from leaders in the field. Free admission and all are welcome.
See the speakerBecome a Certified Naturalist.
Learn more about whales and dolphins and join us in representing ACS-OC.
Discover the ProgramExplore and learn more about cetaceans.
Browse our library of cetacean fact sheets and learn more about these incredible creatures.
See Cetacean FactsFind and watch whales off the coast of Orange County
We work with all of the operators shown below to fulfill our Public Education mission. We have positive, productive relationships with all of them, based on our common desire for people to get out on the water, see whales, learn about them and fall in love with them.
TAKE A DEEP DIVE AND
LEARN WITH ACS-OC
CETACEAN SPECIES
Join and support the mission of ACS-OC to protect cetaceans.
Join an elite organization that consists of marine biologists, conservationists, and citizens scientists that support the efforts of the world first cetacean conservation organization.
Delaney Trowbridge
Special thanks and photo credits to Delaney Trowbridge, a professional wildlife photographer and tour guide based in Newport Beach. Delaney’s passion for cetacean conservation shines through her photography, and the ACS-OC proudly features many of her photos here.