MARS 3950 - Marine Protected Species

MARS 3950 Marine Protected Species: Threats, Response, and Rescue

This 4 credit applied, field-based course introduces students to the real-world practice of marine wildlife conservation in Hawaiʻi, focusing on Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, and other protected marine species. Students will explore the biological, ecological, and human factors that influence conservation outcomes while learning how response organizations operate within federal and state regulatory frameworks.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on field experience, students gain exposure to wildlife response protocols, stranding investigations, behavioral monitoring, public outreach strategies, and conservation data collection methods. The course emphasizes collaborative conservation efforts between nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and community partners.

Students will develop practical skills relevant to careers in marine biology, wildlife conservation, environmental management, and marine protected species response. The course provides a unique opportunity to learn directly from professionals actively working in Hawaiʻi’s marine conservation field.

Faculty

Lead instructor McKinley Walter is a marine conservation professional and Director of Operations at Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR), where she oversees protected species response programs, field operations, volunteer and staff training, and interagency coordination across Oʻahu and Molokaʻi. She brings extensive experience working with marine protected species, including Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, and seabirds, with a focus on applied conservation, response operations, and public engagement.

McKinley holds a Master of Professional Science in Marine Conservation from the University of Miami and bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Washington. Her career has focused on implementing conservation efforts under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, coordinating responses to strandings, entanglements, injuries, and pupping events in partnership with NOAA Fisheries, the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, and other conservation organizations.

In addition to her operational leadership, McKinley has extensive experience in scientific communication, public outreach, and workforce development. She has developed volunteer training programs, educational outreach initiatives, and field response protocols designed to reduce harmful human-wildlife interactions. Through her teaching, she is passionate about connecting students with hands-on conservation experience and preparing the next generation of marine conservation professionals.

Enrollment for non-HPU students

If you are joining us from another university and plan to transfer credit back to your home university, you must enroll as an HPU  "special status student" that allows you to earn up to 12 credits without declaring a major at HPU.  Here are the steps:

1. Complete out this interest form. The course organizers will reply to you within 48 hours to confirm space availability. You will also receive a code to waive your application fee, and current HPU students will receive scholarship information.
2. Apply to HPU. You will follow the application for a degree seeking student, and at the end of the application, instead of choosing a major, you will select "non degree seeking"

Any questions? 

Reach out to us with any questions by including them in your interest form or email any questions to McKinley Walter (mckinley.walter@h-mar.org)

More information about HPU Marine Science: https://www.hpu.edu/cncs/natural-science/marine-bio.html

More information about HMAR: https://h-mar.org/