Letter to Staff and Volunteers

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Amy Collins

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May 8, 2025, 11:15:13 AM5/8/25
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Dear Staff and Volunteers,


As I complete my first 50 days as Executive Director of the National Marine Life Center (NMLC), I want to express my deep gratitude. Your passion, dedication, and countless hours of service have been the lifeblood of this organization. It’s clear that NMLC’s greatest strength lies in its people — each of you.


I’m writing today to update you on important decisions made in collaboration with our Board of Trustees regarding the direction of our organization. Many of you have raised thoughtful questions about our current operations and ability to fulfill our mission. I want you to know that your concerns are valid and have not gone unheard.


It’s no secret that we are navigating significant challenges. Our financial position is constrained, with many existing grants tied to specific projects and not general operations. Our Discovery Center — still under construction — lacks the infrastructure to safely host the public or deliver the educational experiences core to our mission.


In response, the Board has made several difficult but necessary decisions to prioritize sustainability and long-term impact. First, we identified areas of cost reduction, and we have temporarily suspended our seal pup rehabilitation efforts due to limited resources. Over the next several months (perhaps the full duration of Summer), we will focus on infrastructure and policies. Our admin building must be completed to ensure that our mission as an "educational and scientific center" is fulfilled to the maximum, and we are well equipped to be equal partners to other regional centers. We are eager to see that progress is made within a reasonable time period; we are optimistic that this plan is not only feasible, but has a great chance to be very successful. We aim to open the revitalized center in time for turtle season, which will allow us to attract grants and donations to support our endangered species program. We acknowledge how difficult these decisions are, especially for those directly involved in these programs. They are not permanent changes, but temporary, strategic pauses designed to allow us to rebuild stronger.


We are actively developing a new 3–5 year strategic plan focused on three key pillars: renewing our infrastructure by completing facility upgrades and repairing or replacing essential equipment; modernizing our policies and protocols to reflect best practices in marine wildlife care; and building internal capacity through training and program development to restore our standing as a credible, equal partner in regional rehabilitation efforts. This summer, our focus will be on construction, policy revision, and laying a solid operational foundation. We hope to make significant progress by the time we celebrate the NMLC’s 30th anniversary and move into the future with confidence and resolve.


I know funding is at the forefront of all our minds, and it certainly is for me as well. Fundraising is not just a goal; it is my daily priority. In previous roles, I successfully expanded donor bases and secured major gifts for mission-driven organizations, and I intend to achieve the same here. I have already presented our short- and long-term fundraising strategy to the Board, and I’m thrilled to share that 100% of our Trustees have made a personal contribution, with many joining our monthly donor program. This is a fundamental testament to their commitment to our mission. I’ve also begun outreach to several philanthropic foundations aligned with our cause. This summer, we will host awareness events to showcase the Center’s potential and invite new supporters to join us on this transformative journey.


I don’t take the responsibility of leading lightly during this time. I opted out of a “honeymoon period” because the needs are urgent, and I am fully committed. Thanks to your collaboration, my onboarding has been swift. I’ve learned from you, and I’m here to listen, always. My door is open. I welcome your ideas, concerns, and hopes for what this Center can become.


Together, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, smarter, more impactful NMLC — one that leads in the care and rehabilitation of marine wildlife and inspires future generations. Let’s keep building it!


With gratitude and resolve,

Amy


—
Amy E. Collins
Executive Director 
National Marine Life Center 
120 Main Street
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532-0269
Phone: 508-743-9888

PS: A small monthly gift can make a big impact on marine wildlife rehabilitation and education. Consider becoming a monthly donor at nmlc.org


Abbey Mitchell

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May 11, 2025, 8:21:46 PM5/11/25
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Hi Amy,
I wanted to take a moment to properly introduce myself before sharing some concerns, as we’ve only met briefly. My name is Abbey Mitchell, and I’ve been involved with NMLC for the past four years in various roles—as a volunteer, crew leader, intern, and seasonal staff member. This organization means a great deal to me. I initially joined because of my passion for animals, but I’ve stayed because of the incredible people I’ve had the privilege of working with.
Recently, I reached out to a few board members with concerns and questions regarding our current operations. I received a reply that appeared to be a generic, copy-pasted response, explaining that financial constraints are requiring NMLC to reevaluate resources before admitting any seals. Unfortunately, this response left me with more questions than answers.
While I understand that financial issues have always been a challenge for NMLC, the organization has historically managed to maintain quality care for the animals in-house. This sudden halt to the seal pup program—right at the start of harbor seal season—does not make sense to me. From my understanding, we receive annual NOAA grant funding specifically designated for seal care. Considering we've only had eight seals in-house so far this year, there should be significant funds remaining, suggesting we could have sustained at least one more season.
Moreover, the timing and communication around this decision raise concerns. The change appears abrupt and uncoordinated, especially as it left Marine Mammals of Maine—our only regional partner that admits pups—with little warning during a critical time. If this decision had been carefully planned, it likely would have been communicated well in advance.
Another point of confusion is the cancellation of the Food Truck Festival. If our financial situation is truly so dire that we must suspend the pup program, why are we not moving forward with one of our most successful fundraisers?
From what I’ve observed in the past few months, there seems to be a decline in transparency with decision-making at NMLC since your arrival as Executive Director.  I know I’m not alone in feeling uncertain and concerned about where NMLC is heading. I would greatly appreciate any clarity you can provide.
Sincerely,
Abbey Mitchell


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Sydnie Ellis

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May 13, 2025, 7:38:31 AM5/13/25
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Amy and the Board of Trustees,

While I appreciate the communicative effort, unfortunately this announcement only leaves more questions than answers, expresses a general lack of overall transparency, and more notably establishes a clear divide between leadership and staff. We as staff are learning about these changes at the same time as the entire community, well beyond active volunteers.  
While there are two board members who are also active animal care volunteers, the majority of leadership is unaware of what a typical day in the hospital looks like. When discussing new policies and protocol, will staff or the veterinary team be consulted in these decisions- especially hospital related ones? There is already evidence that proves those currently making the decisions aren’t fully informed: when discussing future admits, we were told no pups of any kind. When asking for clarification, we were then told only adults could be admitted. Of course, this was later corrected, but only after there was discussion of the different age classes. This lapse in education is not only frustrating for staff when communicating with our volunteers but is causing frustrations withing the network as nobody knows in what capacity we are able to help.  I see that you have said one of the goals is to “restore our standing as a credible, equal partner in regional rehabilitation efforts,” but it is evident to me that alongside poor communication, those now in charge are unaware that our policies already reflect not only the regional standard, but an international one.  
Doubling down on restoring our standing as a credible and equal partner, announcing the decision regarding pups as the season has already unfolded is not only unfair to our volunteers, but has compromised our internship program and more importantly, our relationship with our Network partners. For those who don’t know, there is now only one facility in the network that can take dependent harbor seal pups, and Marine Mammals of Maine is now scrambling for an emergency capacity increase as they already have 5 pups, and we haven’t approached peak season yet. I would like clarification on how we came to this decision. It’s easy to say “finances” but how does caring for harbor seal pups differ financially than providing rehabilitation for weanlings? Further, we have now turned away at least 9 animals who were not pups, while the rest of the region operates at full capacity and is in dire need of more space. While I am speaking for myself only, I know I am not alone when I say this is not what I signed up for. 
 
Thank you, 
Sydnie 

Subject: Letter to Staff and Volunteers
 
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Hilda Holcombe

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May 13, 2025, 8:48:31 AM5/13/25
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Amy and NMLC Community

I am one of the volunteers that had questions that I posed to the Board and, like others, received a generic letter in response. I agree with comments made by Sydnie and Abbey; their letters express the followup concerns I've been trying to formulate since receiving the letter from the Board. I find it very concerning that we have been turning away animals that we should be committed to helping, and have done so without appropriate forewarning to the Network so that they could plan accordingly. 

I also want to voice my total support and admiration for the NMLC animal care staff.  After spending all of my adult life working with animals, I can honestly say that I've never seen more dedicated and caring staff.  They do a remarkable job prioritizing the animals' health and recovery while balancing this with training the volunteers in a safe manner, ensuring that volunteers become more empowered as they gain experience. 

I hope that I will be working with the care staff and fellow volunteers again soon.  I miss you all.

Sincerely,
Hilda ("Scooter") Holcombe


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Paula Boutin

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May 13, 2025, 5:41:43 PM5/13/25
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Sydnie, well written and heartfelt, and we totally agree.  Especially with the fact that the majority of leadership have no animal care knowledge.  That is why NMLC's Veterinarians, Director of Marine Wildlife Rehabilitation, Animal Care, Necropsy and Operations Coordinator, and other animal care professionals should be consulted.

Seals may not be on the endangered list anymore, but they are definitely in danger of humans (and their pets), as so many of our seal patients have shown.

We started volunteering at NMLC in 2007, and have seen first-hand the organization's growth from a run-down lumber company's warehouse to a hospital, which has saved hundreds of seals and sea turtles.  We have believed in NMLC's motto "Caring for Stranded Marine Animals" and its mission for 18 years, and hope to be able to continue.

Perhaps if all Trustees had a part in the rehabilitation process, and participated in the animals' release back to their ocean home, they would feel the emotions we volunteers and staff experience.

Paula and Len Boutin

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Paula Boutin

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May 13, 2025, 5:56:04 PM5/13/25
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Sydnie and Hilda, well written and heartfelt, and we totally agree.  Especially with the fact that the majority of leadership have no animal care knowledge.   That is why NMLC's Veterinarians, Director of Marine Wildlife Rehabilitation, Animal Care, Necropsy and Operations Coordinator, and other animal care professionals should be consulted.

Seals may not be on the endangered list anymore, but they definitely are in danger of humans (and their pets), as so many of our seal patients have shown.

We started volunteering at NMLC in 2007, and have seen first-hand the organization's growth from a run-down lumber company's warehouse to a hospital, which has saved hundreds of seals and sea turtles.  We have believed in NMLC's motto "Caring for Stranded Marine Animals" for 18 years, and hope to be able to continue.

Perhaps if all Trustees had a part in the rehabilitation process, and participated in the animals' release back to their ocean home, they would feel the emotions we volunteers and staff experience.

Paula and Len Boutin

Michael Briggs

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May 13, 2025, 8:27:22 PM5/13/25
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Hello Amy & The Board,


My name is Michael Briggs, and I have dedicated countless hours of service to NMLC and the animal rehabilitation program over the last five years. I also recently reached out to board members to express my concerns with the state of the organization.


To piggyback on all that fellow volunteers and staff have stated, I would like to add some additional thoughts to the conversation. When I emailed the board expressing my concerns that we have had at least nine space requests for seals needing rehabilitation since admitting Eclipse, the only patient we have had for a month, I felt dismissed. After carefully crafting an email to sound professional and have my emotions on the side and not cloud my purpose, I received a generic, copy & paste, robotic response that I know my colleagues have received. I felt as though I was not heard. This felt entirely disrespectful, and I don’t think my thoughts were listened to.


I started volunteering here in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020, and all the staff, the vets, the interns, and the volunteers worked effortlessly to provide the same level of care to marine animals. If a global pandemic couldn’t stop funds and the admittance of seals into hospital, but all of a sudden, four years later, we are hitting trouble, it is a little questionable. If we kept working on fundraisers that have worked in the past, like the food truck festival, we may have avoided some of these troubles. Also, we volunteers could’ve shared the responsibility of hunting for funding from the community before we became constrained by funds. I’m sure many of us could have come together to create new fundraisers or help organize ones we used in the past.


On a final note, the animal care staff should not have been left in the dark regarding the workings of the organization, especially when they are employed by the organization and are the ones caring for the patients. Communication should have been open and honest between the board and staff to make decisions and process NMLC into the future. This is especially important when this marine animal rehabilitation organization can’t run without them. With the decision not to admit any new seals made without the animal care staff involved, it has placed added strain on the regional marine standing network to effectively do its job successfully and protect species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.


NMLC is an organization that thrives on the help of volunteers, and while we are called off due to “lack” of funds and patients, we aren’t being as helpful and effective as I know we can be. I know I don’t just speak for myself when I say this, but we all care too much about these animals not to do anything to help.


-Michael Briggs
          RWU ’22 B.S. Marine Biology 


Madeline Oerth

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May 15, 2025, 8:01:35 AM5/15/25
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Dear Amy & the Board,

My name is Maddy Oerth and I have been involved with NMLC for nearly four and a half years in various capacities, including as a double session intern, volunteer, and crew leader. I also have worked with two other stranding organizations within the Greater Atlantic region, including one of our close partners here in Massachusetts. I completely agree with what other members of our community have stated in this email thread. I am deeply disturbed by recent events/statements, disregard for staff/volunteers, and am left overwhelmingly concerned for NMLC's future. 

Due to my previous experiences as a stranding network partner, I am well aware of the level of coordination involved with managing limited animal intake capacities and the need for transporting animals to collaborating organizations. To abruptly make the announcement of being closed to seal pup patients, with zero room for advance planning as pup season has started, is completely unfair. If you wish to "restore our standing as a credible, equal partner in regional rehabilitation efforts," leaving a single organization to care for dependent harbor seal pups with little notice is quite the opposite method of doing so. Decisions such as these can have lasting negative impacts on future partnerships and as previously mentioned, goes against our core mission.  

Lastly, this community is so important to many of us and the thought of a large number of our members feeling dismissed, is unsettling. I think we would all appreciate our leadership, to lead with care and respect for all, people and animals included. 

Sincerely,
Maddy Oerth

Madeline Melville

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May 18, 2025, 3:01:33 PM5/18/25
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Hi Amy and the Board, 

My name is Madi Melville. I am in agreement with previous points made by my fellow volunteers and staff, but would like to add the perspective of someone who has been impacted by the "educational and scientific center" component of the mission of NMLC that seems to be stressed in your email. I have been an animal care volunteer since 2023, but have been a “student” at NMLC since I was 10 years old. While the discovery center was a great supplement to wildlife knowledge, the most impactful learning and inspiration came from viewing the seals on the monitors in the discovery center, hearing volunteers talk about the seals in care, going to public releases, and even watching the facebook lives of the hospital on my mom’s phone as a child. 


I can say for certain that my friends and extended family who follow NMLC on social media have become more informed on marine wildlife rehabilitation and pathologies that we see in the hospital through posts that specifically allude to patients in house. I am concerned with how NMLC will maintain the public interest and regular donators with such a long period without any patients whose rehabilitation stories can be followed and gain continual interest. 


On the NMLC website it is stated, “We rehabilitate and release stranded marine mammals and sea turtles in order to advance science and education in marine wildlife health and conservation”, as part of the mission. NMLC’s mission is backed on rehabilitation and education and the advancement of marine wildlife science and medicine is a result of the rehabilitation. 


Most of all, though, I am concerned about the animal welfare side of this decision not following NMLC’s mission. While I understand it is important to make sure there is proper funding to put a seal through the full recovery process in a safe environment, it seems like efforts to fix the discovery center are being prioritized over improvements in the hospital and animal care. I may be misguided in this conclusion, however there has been such a lack of transparency that I along with fellow volunteers have confusion on if NMLC’s mission is being altered. 


I am disappointed to not be returning to the hospital to help the seals when I come home from college this summer. However, I am passionate about this organization and would not like to be astray from it this summer. If I can be of any aid in helping NMLC improve to come back even stronger in supporting its marine rehabilitation mission , I would love to volunteer even in a non-animal care position. 


Thank you for listening, 

Madi Melville 


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Amy Collins

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May 19, 2025, 3:27:11 PM5/19/25
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Hi Michael,

Thank you for your email—and for all you’ve done for NMLC over the years. Your dedication as a volunteer means a great deal to the organization and to me personally.

To be direct: NMLC is in a very serious financial situation. We are choosing between paying essential bills—like utilities and insurance—or paying staff. These are real, daily concerns that directly affect our ability to operate.

While funds in restricted grants are available for seals, there are detailed limits on what those funds can be used for. We are doing our best to access and apply those funds within the guidelines. If you’ve received different information, please let me know so we can ensure everyone is working with the same understanding.

Staff have not been left in the dark. We hold weekly meetings where everyone is encouraged to ask questions—and they do. My door is always open. The team is welcome to get involved with fundraising, but so far they haven’t chosen to. That invitation remains open.

I also want to clarify that the way we currently do events typically brings in only $10,000–$25,000. These events help, but they don’t pay the bills.

If you—or anyone on this thread—have ideas or want to help with outreach or community support, I would truly welcome it. And if you’re ever interested in becoming a donor—even $10 or $25 a month—it would be meaningful support during this difficult time.

Thank you again for your continued commitment to NMLC.

Warmly,
Amy

Abbey Mitchell

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May 19, 2025, 4:08:21 PM5/19/25
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Hi Amy,
Let me get this straight holding a fundraiser event that bring in $10,000 to $25,000 is not enough to pay the bills but us volunteers(who already give our time for FREE) giving $10 to $25 a month will help?  That makes absolutely no sense and very honestly feels like a slap to the face. None of this is making any sense. We volunteers deserve a real non bullshit answer as to what is going on with NMLC.


Abbey Mitchell 

Michael Briggs

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May 24, 2025, 2:59:07 PM5/24/25
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Good Afternoon Amy, 

I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my email, and providing a little more information about the state of NMLC. Although, I wish you had taken the time to respond to the emails of my fellow volunteers as well. But, it still doesn’t take away from the fact that I felt dismissed by the chair of the board when I received a copy & paste reply. However, your email still leaves some questions for me and probably others.

When you say that staff haven’t been left in the dark, and you have weekly meetings with them, I know it isn’t true. Since Sydnie (Animal Care Assistant) clearly states in her email in this thread that staff learned about the current focus on infrastructure and new strategic plan when you sent your email on the 8th of May.

On the topic of fundraising, the last big event that happened to my knowledge, other than the unsuccessful mailings, was the arctic seal plunge that happened prior to you coming into this role. What other events are you referring to? My one suggestion to our fundraising efforts is to try and reinstate the food truck festival that NMLC has run in the past, the event itself was fun and well attended, and try to expand upon it. Also, to ask volunteers to become monthly donors is a step in the wrong direction. As someone stated before, we donate our time to the organization because we all have a passion for this work, and may not have the financial ability to become a monthly donor. Speaking for myself, with the current economic state of society and being riddled with student loan debt from earning my bachelors degree and other bills as a 25 year old, I personally don’t have the extra to donate other than my time.

Moving forward, I have a suggestion on how to help get everyone onto the same page, by not having to sift through emails to find pertinent information. I think an organization wide meeting can be helpful, preferably in person but zoom could work as well. During this meeting, it should be both an open platform for volunteers and staff to ask questions, and a presentation from you and the board of trustees. The presentation should layout everything on the table, including an overview of NMLC’s financial position with factual supporting data and a preliminary outline of the strategic plan you mentioned previously. This would ensure everyone is receiving the same information and for volunteers & staff to know who is on the board, since I have only known three members of the board in the five years I’ve been here.

Thank you for your time,

Michael Briggs
          RWU '22 B.S. Marine Biology 

Gabbie Nicoletta

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May 30, 2025, 9:37:50 PM5/30/25
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Hello All,
This is a group email from NMLC staff (Lisa, Gabbie, Sydnie, Leah, Meghan, Arika, and Lianna) to address some of the matters brought up in this email chain.
First, we would like to thank our volunteer community for their kind words and support during this difficult time. Your dedication to NMLC is immeasurable.
Second, we would like to turn the attention to Amy and the Board of Trustees and make a few points, echoing what has already been said by many. The lack of transparency in overall communication is very much present and staff is consistently left with questions that scarcely receive a response. This is true, even considering the weekly staff meetings we hold. The mere point that the first email within this chain was addressed to “Staff and Volunteers” distinctly shows how the information included was new and unheard of to anyone that received it. There has not been any discussion with staff regarding a strategic plan or the shift in focus for the next several months to infrastructure and policies. Regarding the infrastructure, though we are aware of the construction happening within the building we work in everyday, the updates we receive on the construction have been partial and inconsistent. In relation to policies, and in an effort to not become repetitive, Sydnie’s email from 5/13/25 perfectly brings up points related to this exact topic.
Next, in relation to fundraising and the statement indicating staff’s lack of participation, we would like to list everything that has been done by the staff members represented in this email, on both a professional and personal level.
  • actively writing and contributing to large grants that the organization has received repeatedly
  • acquiring and developing relationships with companies that have given large donations year after year
  • participating in the planning, preparation and implementation of events run by NMLC (the 5k, Golf Tournament, Food Truck Festival, Name a Parasite and the Arctic Seal Plunge)
    • also attended said events to show support
  • planning, creating and running social media fundraisers on both our personal pages and on NMLC’s account, bringing in thousands of dollars to the organization each year
  • conducting our wishlist item donation program (arguably the longest ongoing and most successful fundraiser NMLC has)
  • creating, coordinating and updating the symbolic animal adoption program on the online store
The list goes on, but the point is that we have and are still doing a great deal of fundraising for this organization. It would be wise to have a conversation with those involved before making a statement claiming otherwise. We feel that the question everyone has asked is, what fundraising is leadership actively working on that will assist with NMLC’s financial struggles?
As everyone else has said, we would appreciate full transparency and answers to these ongoing questions. If the answers to these questions do not belong with the Executive Director, then we would appreciate a response from the Board of Trustees. We are simply trying to understand the decisions that are being made that directly impact our careers, our community and our organization.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Lisa, Gabbie, Sydnie, Leah, Meghan, Arika, and Lianna


​Gabriella Nicoletta
Animal Care, Necropsy, & Operations Coordinator 
National Marine Life Center 
P.O. Box 269, 120 Main Street 
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532-0269

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