February Volunteer of the Month: Kristyn Hatley

There’s nothing we love more than celebrating the achievements of rock-star volunteers like our Volunteer of the Month, Kirstyn Hatley! Kristyn came to the aquarium in September 2019 and hit the ground running. Donating over 165 hours of her time to the West Wing Galleries, Kristyn does everything from diet prep to cleaning tanks to…

January Volunteer of the Month: Carl Abramson

We are so excited to introduce you all to our January 2020 Volunteer of the Month: Carl Abramson! Carl has been a part of the Visitor Education team since June 2016. Donating over 900 hours of his time and talent to the aquarium, Carl is nothing short of a superstar volunteer. Whether he is roving…

December Volunteer of the Month: Sharon Tassel

Happy New Year and congratulations to our December Volunteer of the Month: Sharon Tassel! Sharon has been a Giant Ocean Tank Assistant Dive Volunteer since April 2019. Donating over 300 hours of her time to the aquarium, Sharon has made a huge difference for the Giant Ocean Tank Team. It is thanks to volunteers like…

November Volunteer of the Month: Brendan Timmerman

We are so grateful for our November Volunteer of the Month: Brendan Timmerman! Brendan has spent over 700 hours since January 2019 with the Marine Mammals department. From assisting with training to keeping a fine attention to detail, Brendan has proven himself to be an exceptional member of the Marine Mammals team. It is thanks…

October 2019 Volunteer of the Month – Lauren McKay

When working with the New England Aquarium – Quincy husbandry team, volunteers need to be quick on their feet and ready for anything. That’s what makes October’s Volunteer of the Month, Lauren McKay, such a stellar team member. Serving over 460 hours since July 2018, Lauren has put in the work to be the best…

July 2019 Volunteer of the Month – Denise Morgan

Our Rescue and Rehabilitation team would not be the same without our volunteers, and it’s folks like Denise Morgan who make a huge difference. For nearly four years, Denise has given over 1,400 hours of her time to the New England Aquarium. The knowledge and skills she’s gained has made her invaluable to the training…

June 2019 Volunteer of the Month – Alex Merkle-Raymond

For over two years, Alex Merkle-Raymond – “AMR” to her colleagues – has brought an incredible energy and work-ethic to the Giant Ocean Tank team. Alex started at the New England Aquarium as a co-op student and loved her experience so much that she decided to stick around. She is always ready to help out…

May 2019 Volunteer of the Month – Madison Morris

Volunteering in Visitor Education is no small feat. Our volunteers need to be flexible, friendly, and fearless in the face of ever-changing information. That’s what makes May’s Volunteer of the Month, Madison Morris, such a champion. Serving for over 200 hours in the past year, Madison has contributed to the positive and supportive world of…

Volunteer of the Month: Donna Brewer

“Donna has been an ace up the sleeve since we’ve had her on Sundays”

Homeward Bound, Salamander Style

Story by Samantha Riffle, live blue(tm) Service Corps volunteer A great trek is happening right under our noses in the Boston area. My education in regards to animal migration was mainly through Morgan Freeman waxing poetic nostalgia over the march of the Emperor Penguin; growing up near the Sierras in California I was also told…

Jump Your Way to Heart Health with Plastic Bags…WHAT?

Article by Rob Cuddi, live blue(tm) Service Leader I am standing in my basement with two more plastic bags to add to this growing mountain and scratching my head, questioning how this could happen. I must be looking at ONE HUNDRED crumpled bags stuffed into a large cloth shopping bag…it’s slapping me in the head…

Just Breath! A Turtle Emergency Response Volunteer Story

Story written by Rob Cuddi, Turtle Emergency Response Volunteer The Rav-4 was frigid as I nosed out of a tangle of blankets.  It was pre-dawn and still quite dark outside when one of the seasonal biologists tapped at my windshield. Heater on, steaming tea poured from my thermos, as Eran settled into the passenger seat….