Originally funded with a six-month grant, funding was picked up by the federal Sea Grant College Program in 1978. Since 1986 the UNH Marine Docents have been supported by both New Hampshire Sea Grant and the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. Our address is Marine Docent Program, Sea Grant Extension, Kingman Farm, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824-3512. H ow to join Marine Docents are volunteers who staff Sea Grant Extension marine education programs. N.H. The Docent program is sponsored by the New Hampshire Sea Grant College Program and UNH Cooperative Extension.
Docents come from all walks of life and all levels of experience.
A science background is not required. All participate in a five-month training course, meeting Tuesday and Thursday mornings September through April. Field trips, lectures by UNH professors, and interactive learning comprise the training program. After completing training, Docents are asked to commit a year to the program, although many stay in the program much longer. Many Docents work with school children, taking presentations about the marine and coastal environments to schools, 4-H clubs, and scout groups.