Become a supporting member of the Dolphin Communication Project! The Dolphin Communication Project is a non-profit organization that relies on support from the public to conduct our scientific research and offer education opportunities to people of all ages. Check out our various membership types below, and sign right up! We can’t wait to have you on board!
Membership Types
DCP Bimini Member $100
Where your money goes: funds research equipment and materials used at DCP’s Bimini field site
What you get: Dolphin calendar, Random set of 6 Dolphin Trading Cards, DCP Info Booklet, Personal welcome letters from Kathleen Dudzinski and from Kelly Melillo Sweeting
The DCP Bimini Member funds are focused to the research DCP conducts on the Atlantic spotted dolphins observed around Bimini, The Bahamas, and secondarily to the education and conservation initiatives developed in relation to our research on this group of dolphins, more generally. DCP Bimini Members learn more about the Atlantic spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins that reside in the waters near and around Bimini. They gain information about DCP’s research results from DCP’s lead Bimini researcher and site manager, Kelly Melillo Sweeting.
DCP DE Member $100
Where your money goes: funds travel and research costs at DCP’s DE research site
What you get: DE adopt-a-dolphin kit, Dolphin calendar, DCP Info Booklet, Personal welcome letter
DCP has been studying the dolphins at Dolphin Encounters (DE) since 2006. DCP’s Director, Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski leads the research on this group of bottlenose dolphins and visits Nassau and DE once or twice a year to record dolphin behavior and sounds following the same protocol that DCP applies when studying the wild dolphins around Bimini and Mikura Islands. All dolphins studied by DCP seem to produce similar vocalizations, and yet, we have observed more variety in these sounds from the captive dolphins – maybe they have more time to practice!
DCP RIMS Member $100
Where your money goes: funds travel and research costs at DCP’s RIMS field site
What you get: DVD about RIMS dolphins, Dolphin calendar, DCP Info Booklet, Personal welcome letter
DCP has been studying the dolphins at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) since 2003. Dudzinski leads the research on this group of bottlenose dolphins and visits RIMS and Anthony’s Key Resort (AKR) once or twice a year to record dolphin behavior and sounds following the same protocol that DCP applies when studying the wild dolphins around Bimini and Mikura Islands. The DCP team is learning that, at the individual level, there seems to be more similarity than difference in behavior between the captive and wild dolphins
DCP Research Member $1,000
Where your money goes: funds a boat survey in search of wild Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins at our Bimini field site
What you get: Adopt-A-Wild-Dolphin kit, Dolphin Calendar, DCP Dolphin Water Bottle, DCP Info Booklet, Personal welcome letter, Personalized update following dolphin survey from Kelly Melillo Sweeting
DCP Research Members sponsor a boat survey in search of wild Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins at our Bimini field site. DCP follows a non-invasive protocol (no feeding, touching or training) while collecting photographic, video and acoustic data to contribute to our growing library. Although DCP Research Members do not join the actual boat survey, they will receive a personalized summary of the trip, via email, shortly after its completion. Scheduling of the trip is determined by DCP.
DCP Education Member $500
Where your money goes: funds development of DCP’s education programs
What you get: Dolphin Activity Guide and associated DVD, Dolphin Calendar, DCP Info Booklet,
Personal welcome letter, Signed copy of Dolphin Mysteries. In addition – A DCP researcher will visit the school or company location and give a one-hour presentation OR a free Classroom Connections program
DCP offers a variety of education programs to students of all ages, including elementary, middle (junior high), high school and college levels. The DCP Classroom Connection is offered to a school, company or other organization that wants to learn more details about DCP’s research in an informal lecture setting. A DCP researcher will visit the school or company location (if within a 50-mile radius of DCP) and give a one-hour presentation about DCP, DCP’s research, dolphin communication, behavior or cognition. Details will be coordinated in advance between DCP and the Member group. Or an Online Classroom Connection program can be arranged for a company or a school, including those outside a 50-mile radius.
DCP Podcast Member $200
Where your money goes: funds an episode of The Dolphin Pod
What you get: Dolphin Calendar, Dolphin Water Bottle, DCP Info Booklet, Personal welcome letter, Involvement in the podcast episode: either as a guest on the show, or providing help to brainstorm on a topic or two.
The Dolphin Pod is a science podcast produced by DCP that is dedicated to all things dolphin. The podcast provides up-to-date and scientifically accurate information on dolphin behavior, cognition, communication, conservation, anatomy, etc. DCP Podcast Members will sponsor the production of one episode of The Dolphin Pod, and are encouraged to participate in the production of the episode. Participation can range from brainstorming topic ideas, to helping conduct research on the topic of the episode, and even being interviewed or participating in the discussion.
DCP Conservation Member $150
Where your money goes: funds a beach clean-up on Bimini, which help to limit the amount of trash that winds up in the sea
What you get: Dolphin Calendar, Dolphin Water Bottle, DCP Info Booklet, Personal welcome letter, Personalized update following Bimini beach clean-ups from Kelly Melillo Sweeting
DCP Conservation Members learn about ocean and dolphin conservation. Their funds help support DCP’s research from Bimini but also our regular beach clean-ups on the island, which help to limit the amount of trash that winds up in the sea.