WHO WE ARE
Ensuring the long-term health of whales and coastal ecosystems.
OUR TEAM
Fiona Elaine Strasser, MSc
Graduate Fellow/
PhD Student, MMRP, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Liah McPherson, MSc
Graduate Fellow/PhD Student, MMRP, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Lewis Evans
Graduate Fellow/
MSc Student, MMRP, University of Hawaii at Manoa
OUR BOARD
Madison Kosma, MSc
Board Vice President
Jim Nahmens
Board Treasurer
Grant Riewe
Board Secretary
Fred Sharpe, PhD
Board Member
Legacy Board Member
Legacy Board Member
Legacy Board Member
Legacy Board Member
OUR PARTNERS
OUR HISTORY
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 fueled an appreciation for the animals and elicited the generous support of individuals, conservation organizations and Alaskan communities.
Decades later, AWF continues to study whales 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.