The Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island was founded in the summer of 1996 by a group of experts in marine mammal science, environmental sciences, education, and conservation. CRESLI was formed for the purposes of conducting research, providing educational experiences, and promoting the conservation of coastal ecosystems. Research and education are inextricably linked in all CRESLI activities. As such, CRESLI actively seeks cooperative alliances with researchers, educational institutions, and the participation of the public. Our seal and whale research projects, for example, utilize public whale watch cruises and seal walks/cruises as platforms for collecting data and educating the public at the same time. We are an entirely volunteer-based organization.

Our alliances with institutions such as Gotham Whale, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, the Wildlife Conservation Society's Ocean Giants Program, the Thorne Lab at Stony Brook University, OBIS-SEAMAP, and others are entirely consistent with CRESLI's mission and purpose. The sharing of resources, and coordination of activities, significantly enhances the opportunities for research and public education.