Georgia Aquarium Conservation Field Station

Marineland opened in 1938 and is recognized as the world’s first Oceanarium. This “window to the sea” was a pioneering effort that paved the way for an increased understanding of marine life. Atlantic bottlenose dolphins were some of the first animals to gain attention from the public while at Marineland, and caretakers quickly became experts in dolphin care and biology. 
In that same spirit 70 years later, Marineland again embarked on a new chapter to champion this familiar ocean mammal. In April of 2008, The Dolphin Conservation Field Station was established as a collaborative venture between the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia, and Marineland Dolphin Adventure in Marineland, Florida. In 2011, the Dolphin Conservation Field Station became the Georgia Aquarium Conservation Field Station (GACFS). The GACFS is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to research, rescue, rehabilitation and release of dolphins and small whales in Northeast Florida. 

The GACFS's location in the town of Marineland is quite beneficial, as this section of coastline has more marine mammal stranding activity than the entire Gulf Coast of Florida. Working as one of many state and national Stranding Network Participants (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/networks.htm), the GACFS will primarily cover the Intracoastal and Atlantic waterways of Flagler County. Research involving photo identification will also be conducted to learn more about local dolphin populations in the area. 
George Biedenbach, who has over 17 years of marine mammal care and stranding experience, joined Marineland in 2008 as the Director of Conservation Programs, which manages the GACFS. The new facilities opened in April of 2009 and included a website dedicated to these conservation efforts.
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