Helping Endangered Sea Turtles and Protected Seals Get a Second Chance
As a hospital and education center, the National Marine Life Center helps local marine animals recover while building public understanding of the challenges they face.
These Animals Face Injury, Illness, Entanglement, and Changing Environmental Conditions.
Your support helps provide rehabilitation, advance science, and inspire others to make a difference.
31
Years of Impact
1,000+
Animals Cared For
50,000+
Hours Volunteered
Our Mission Pillars
The work that drives our mission forward
Rehabilitation
Turning crisis into a second chance.
Cape Cod is a stranding hotspot. NMLC cares for sick and injured sea turtles and seals, helping them recover and, whenever possible, return to the ocean.
Science
Turning care into knowledge.
The animals treated at NMLC offer a rare opportunity to better understand marine wildlife health, disease, treatment, and the challenges they face in the wild.
Education
Turning curiosity into care.
Through public learning and outreach, NMLC helps people understand marine animals, the threats they face, and why conservation matters.
Discovery Center
Bringing you closer to the mission.
Explore exhibits, specimens, and hands-on activities that show how stranded marine mammals and sea turtles are rehabilitated and why that work matters.
Meet Our Patients
Learn about the work we've done and how we're helping.
Banana Split
Arrived in critical condition with severe injuries, infection, and pneumonia. After months of treatment, Banana Split was released back to the ocean.
Dexter
A Kemp’s ridley sea turtle rescued after cold-stunning in Brewster, Dexter came into our care in need of rehabilitation before getting a second chance.
Moon
This grey seal pup arrived extremely ill and at risk of losing vision in both eyes. With careful treatment, Moon recovered enough to return to the wild.
Sea Turtle #44
A green sea turtle rescued from Truro after becoming cold-stunned. Weak and in need of care, 44 received fluids, medication, and close monitoring while beginning recovery.
“NMLC played a real role in shaping my interest in marine biology and the world around me. Having an organization like this nearby is an incredible gift to the community.”
Ethan P.
Support the Mission
Discover how you can help NMCL make an impact.
Volunteer
Give your time to meaningful work that supports local marine animals.
Explore Volunteering
Adopt an Animal
Symbolically adopt a sea turtle or seal and help provide food, medicine, and care.
Adopt Online
Events & Fundraisers
Be part of the momentum and help turn community support into real impact.
View Events
Giving
Fuel the work that helps marine animals recover and return to the ocean.
Explore Giving
NMLC Store
Every sale directly supports the cause.