September 2026 Speaker

Speaker: Ellie Sywak

Discussion topic: Introduction to AMSEAS - Promoting Marine Conservation Through Action!

September Location: Sir John's Restaurant

Learn about AMSEAS' mission of marine conservation through action with a talk by Education & Outreach Coordinator, Ellie Sywak.  As a member of the Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network, AMSEAS responds to whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles that wash up on New York shores, conducting mortality investigations on these stranded animals. These investigations provide vital insight on the condition of the marine ecosystem. AMSEAS also conducts wild population research through aerial, boat, and land-based surveys, as well as health assessments and satellite tagging projects on local marine mammals and sea turtles. AMSEAS is also home to New York's newest marine mammal and sea turtle critical care facility, providing much-needed space for critical event response in the region. Finally, AMSEAS takes everything learned through stranding investigations, wild population research, and critical care to educate the public about New York's marine mammals and sea turtles, our shared marine environment, and how you can join AMSEAS mission. 

Ellie Sywak is the Education & Outreach Coordinator for the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS). She started as a volunteer in March 2023, and went through AMSEAS' stranding apprentice program before achieving her current position. In addition to managing AMSEAS educational outreach efforts, she runs the volunteer and intern programs, and assists with stranding response, sea turtle rehabilitation, and AMSEAS wild research projects.  After earning a BA in Theatre from Brown University (which she now uses to talk to people all around New York about AMSEAS' mission to promote marine conservation through action) she has held a multitude of roles: writer, chef, baker, event coordinator, election inspector, salesperson and advocate for renewable energy, and family law paralegal, proving that anyone can get involved with marine conservation!