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WHO WE ARE

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Ensuring the long-term health of marine mammals and coastal ecosystems.

OUR TEAM

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Andy Szabo, PhD

Executive Director

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Will Gough, PhD

Research Associate

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Dana Bloch

Graduate Fellow

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Martin Van Aswegen

Graduate Fellow

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Gussie Hollars

Graduate Fellow

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Alyssa Russell 

Communications 

OUR BOARD

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Jim Nahmens

Board President

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Lauren Eckert, PhD

Vice President

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Don Holmes

Board Treasurer

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Jim Brennan

Board Secretary

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Fred Sharpe, PhD

Board Member

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Madison Kosma, MSc

Board Member

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Grant Riewe

Board Member

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Buffy Redsecker, MFA

Board Member

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Elsa Sebastian

Legacy Board Member

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Pat Sharpe

Legacy Board Member

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Steve Morello

Legacy Board Member

OUR PARTNERS

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OUR HISTORY

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AWF was founded in 1996 by a team of passionate individuals who wanted to shed light on the amazing behaviors of the endangered humpback whales in Southeast Alaska.

The diverse team of biologists, educators, vessel captains and illustrators were inspired by Fred Sharpe’s early work on the social behavior of the region's humpbacks. Together, they fueled an appreciation for the animals and elicited the generous support of individuals, conservation organizations and Alaskan communities.

Decades later, AWF continues to study marine mammals and coastal ecosystems, but with more resources, established scientists and collaborators, and ambitious graduate students and undergraduate interns.  As well, the organization has developed a permanent research base in a wild and pristine coastal ecosystem on Baranof Island.  Today, AWF is able to fully realize its mission through ambitious scientific research, long-term ecological monitoring, student mentoring, and outreach.

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