Students also receive instruction and practice in scientific communication.
Students emerge from Eckerd College and enter top graduate programs in basic and applied marine mammal science. At Eckerd, future leaders in the fields of marine mammal research, conservation, and education are groomed and nurtured. Aerial surveys are a cost effective means by which to assess trends in abundance, habitat use, certain impacts of human activities, and reproductive performance. There are two types of surveys being done. Since 1982, Professor Reynolds has surveyed the waters around Florida power plants to count manatees that migrate to such areas during cold winter weather.