Don’t miss your chance to be at the forefront of growing whale conservation efforts. Join WWF’s Protecting Whales & Dolphins Initiative in person or virtually for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore science-based conservation strategies and political opportunities to conserve critical blue corridors.
Washington, DC, Conference Center at World Wildlife Fund
November 13 & 14, 2023
In-person and virtual hybrid event for all WWF staff
Learn about the concept of "blue corridors", the migration superhighways that are essential for the survival of marine megafauna. Hear stories from the field and explore conservation solutions.
Discover the vital role whales play in maintaining ocean health, from enhancing marine productivity to carbon capture.
Engage with esteemed guests, WWF leaders, and conservation experts as we discuss innovative strategies to safeguard whales and blue corridors.
Day 1, November 13
Conference Center @ World Wildlife Fund
1250 24th Street, N.W. Washington, DC USA
Washington, DC
In-person and virtual hybrid event
Open to all staff at WWF-US, WWF staff attending virtually via Zoom, and invited participants.
Goal: Set the scene—dialogue with experts about growing threats and conservation solutions. Identify opportunities where WWF can work in partnership to achieve real conservation gains.
Day 2, November 14
Conference Center @ World Wildlife Fund
1250 24th Street, N.W. Washington, DC USA
Washington, DC
In-person and virtual hybrid event
Open to all staff at WWF-US, WWF staff attending virtually via Zoom, and invited participants.
Goal: How do we scale up together to have impact? Discuss strategies to deliver conservation benefits for whales on a global, regional, and local scale with WWF national offices, programs, Initiatives, and partners.
GUEST SPEAKERS
ANDY READ PhD
Dr. Andy Read currently serves as Commissioner of the Marine Mammal Commission, appointed by President Biden on December 23, 2022. He is also the Stephen A. Toth Distinguished Professor of Marine Biology at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. Currently, he serves as the Director of the Duke University Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, North Carolina.
Andy received his Ph.D. from the University of Guelph in 1990 for research on the biology and conservation of harbour porpoises. Read conducted post-doctoral research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution from 1990 to 1995 and then moved to the Duke University Marine Laboratory, where he remains today. He has conducted field research on marine mammals in North and South America, Europe, and the Antarctic, with a focus on conservation biology.
Andy is active in the conservation of marine mammals at the national and international levels. He is a member of the Cetacean Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita, and several federal marine mammal Take Reduction Teams. Andy served as a member of the U.S. delegation to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission and is a past President of the Society for Marine Mammalogy. He has written over 200 scientific papers and supervised 25 Ph.D. graduates at Duke University. Andy lives in Gloucester, North Carolina with his wife.
LISA BALLANCE PhD
Dr. Lisa Ballance is the Director of Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute, Endowed Chair of Marine Mammal Research, and Professor of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences.
Lisa oversees the vision and implementation of research, education, and outreach for the Institute’s 60 Professors, post-doctorates, students, and staff. Prior to this, Lisa directed NOAA’s Marine Mammal and Turtle Research Division in La Jolla, CA, providing scientific leadership and oversight for 70 scientists conducting applied research in the context of Endangered Species and Marine Mammal Protection Act directives. She was also Chief Scientist of NOAA’s Eastern Tropical Pacific Dolphin Research Program, which provided the scientific basis for the “Dolphin Safe” label found on tuna cans in supermarkets all over this country.
Lisa holds a PhD in marine ecology and has studied the ecology and conservation biology of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds for over 30 years around the world, including the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans, Antarctica, the Bering Sea, and Cambodia’s Mekong River. She has published more than 140 scientific papers, book chapters, and technical reports; regularly gives invited presentations at professional conferences, universities, public lectures, and policy-related briefings; and has been awarded research funding from a wide variety of sources including the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, US Navy, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Dr. Ballance is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, recipient of the Department of Commerce Bronze and Silver Medals, NOAA Fisheries’ Supervisor of the Year, and cover feature of the Association for Women in Science.
And many more!
EVENT MODERATORS
LEIGH HENRY
WWF US Wildlife Policy Director
Leigh leads policy efforts related to wildlife conservation in the United States. Since joining the WWF family in 2001, Leigh’s work has focused heavily on wildlife crime, marine species conservation, and spearheading WWF’s engagement in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and the International Whaling Commission.
CHRIS JOHNSON
Global Lead, Protecting Whales & Dolphins Initiative
Chris Johnson is a marine scientist and conservation strategist. Chris has studied whales, their habitats and human impacts, such as ocean pollution, climate change, entanglements and ship strikes in 25 countries and on the high seas. He leads WWF Protecting Whales & Dolphins Initaitive.