National Marine Life Center

06/03/2026

🌊 We're looking for volunteers — and we'd love for you to be one of them.

Love marine life, education, and community engagement? The NMLC Discovery Center is gearing up for an exciting new chapter, and we need volunteers to help us welcome visitors and support our growing programs and exhibits!

Whether you are passionate about ocean conservation, enjoy connecting with people, or simply want to give back to the community, we would love to have you join us.

Come be part of a space that inspires curiosity, learning, and care for our oceans.

Email: [email protected]

06/02/2026

🎉 WOW! What an incredible day!

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the soft opening of our new NMLC Discovery Center! We are truly touched by the enthusiasm and warm welcome you all showed for our new space and exhibits.

It was wonderful to share this milestone with our community, supporters, volunteers, and friends. We are excited for what’s ahead and look forward to welcoming even more visitors! Stay tuned!

05/31/2026

🐋There is a proposal to roll back the vessel speed rules that protect North Atlantic right whales — and the public comment period is open now through June 2.

NOAA is considering replacing seasonal speed restrictions with technology-based "strike-avoidance" measures. Conservationists argue there simply isn't enough research yet to trust these sensors with the fate of a critically endangered species.

Vessel strikes are one of the leading causes of death for North Atlantic right whales. For nearly two decades, large ships have been required to slow to 10 knots in designated coastal areas during peak whale seasons.

You can voice your thoughts on this now through June 2. Link in comments 👇



Image: Center for Coastal Studies, taken under NOAA permit #25740-02.

05/21/2026

We are thrilled to offer a sneak peak into our renovations of the Discovery Center!
This Saturday, May 23 we will have a Soft Opening to welcome you to our updated, ADA accessible Discovery Center!
Come see our new layout and exhibits and learn about additional exhibits to be installed later this year!

05/15/2026

🐢 Today is Endangered Species Day, and we’re celebrating some of the incredible sea turtles that visit the waters around Cape Cod, including Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, loggerhead, and green sea turtles.

The Kemp’s ridley is the smallest and most endangered sea turtle in the world, while the leatherback is the largest and can travel thousands of miles to feed in our region. Green sea turtles and loggerheads also rely on these waters during parts of their life cycle. All face threats, including vessel strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, pollution, and cold-stunning.

As we work toward reopening our Discovery Center, your generosity helps support animal care, our dedicated staff and volunteers, and the education programs that inspire the next generation of ocean stewards.

💙 Donate today — link in comments. Thank you for being part of our flotilla!

Fun fact: a flotilla is a group of sea turtles swimming together.

Photo: green sea turtle

04/22/2026

🌍International Earth Day: Celebrating our planet and all the creatures in it! 🌍

Every day, we see firsthand how a healthy ocean means healthy marine life, from sea turtles to seals and beyond. Earth Day reminds us that protecting our planet starts with protecting our waters, wildlife, and coastal ecosystems.

Together, through rescue, rehabilitation, science, and education, we can make a lasting difference.

🌊 This Earth Day, join us in caring for our ocean, and all who call it home.🌊

Mother Earth (or Mother Nature) is a common personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature by embodying it in the form of the mother. It recognizes a collective responsibility to promote harmony with nature and the Earth.

04/21/2026

Happy International Turtle And Tortoise Week!

This week is dedicated to celebrating our turtles and tortoises and sharing educational resources and activities that inspire conservation and stewardship. These ancient and remarkable species play essential roles in ecosystems around the world, yet many face serious threats from climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and human activity.

At the National Marine Life Center, education is a cornerstone of conservation. By learning more about sea turtles and their habitats, we empower communities to take action and help protect these species for generations to come. Join us in exploring, sharing, and supporting efforts that safeguard turtles and tortoises, on land and at sea.

BE PART OF INTERNATIONAL TURTLE AND TORTOISE WEEK 2026 Calling all Educators! Free Learning Materials! International Turtle and Tortoise Week is April 20-24 this year. Before the fun begins, register and download our FREE educational materials and lesson plans. These digital copies will be immediate...

04/12/2026

Raising awareness of this important issue ...

‼️This isn't a left or right issue; everyone needs to speak up on this. The ESA Amendments Act H.R. 1897 that was proposed last year is moving to the House floor for a vote next week.

The Endangered Species Act has saved 99% of species listed from going extinct and now the administration is moving to weaken protections in order to make it easier to drill, log, mine, and build on the habits that these endangered species need to survive. Allowing species to go extinct for development is not something that can be undone. Allowing species to go extinct puts entire ecosystems at risk. Allowing species to go extinct jeopardizes the health of our planet.

🗣️Contact your reps and tell them to vote NO on the ESA Amendments (use this link: https://defenders.org/voteNO)
🌊Tell them why protecting endangered species is important to you
🐋Remind them that the ESA has a 99% success rate and we cannot risk that

There are 12 whale species (some are distinct populations) protected under the ESA in US waters. These animals are ecosystem engineers that move essential nutrients and help the ocean create more than 50% of the oxygen on this planet.

04/10/2026

We are excited to share a wonderful partnership in action!

The National Marine Life Center has partnered with Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School to set up and maintain a new saltwater tank that will soon be home to local marine flora and fauna.

These photos capture students hard at work: cleaning, preparing, and bringing the tank to life. Their hands-on effort is not only building something beautiful, but also deepening their connection to marine science, conservation, and our local ecosystems.

Toby McNulty, Alexis Butler Lapointe, and Caleb Hood, we are grateful for your enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication. Stay tuned as the tank fills with life!

03/18/2026

On Sunday March 22, we celebrate the incredible seals that grace our oceans and coastlines, and reaffirm our commitment to protecting them. From curious pups to powerful adults, seals play a vital role in healthy marine ecosystems, yet they face growing threats from climate change, entanglement, pollution, and habitat loss.

At the National Marine Life Center, we are honored to rehabilitate and release seals back to the wild, giving them a second chance and advancing the science that helps protect their future.

Join us in celebrating seals and advocating for a safer, healthier ocean for all marine life.

International Seal Day is here. We’ll give you all the facts and information so you can make the most of this day.