Photo: Our beautiful Painted Anemone (Urticina crassicornis) showing off all of its tentacles in our 300 gallon Eelgrass Habitat tank. If you want to see more amazing critters like this, come visit our downtown Marine Life Center, Wednesday-Sunday 11-6pm.

Blue Water Task Force

The Blue Water Task Force will be re-sampling Jack Hyde Park as it was the only site with an outstanding level of enterococcus, a harmful bacteria that indicates fecal contamination. When one of our sites comes up with a high bacteria reading, we will always resample the following day (in this case 4/17. Results take 24 hours to process so we will be posting an update for bacteria levels While our sampling doesn’t guarantee the current status of a site, the trends can be a useful tool for folks to gauge where they want to play in the Puget Sound. The Blue Water Task Force samples once a month to keep tabs on harmful levels of bacteria at 10 different recreation areas. Despite the cold, we know that people play in the Puget Sound year round AND because there isn't funding for the BEACH Program to sample all year, our team is able to step in for a monthly check in during the "off" season September through May.

April 15th Sample Results Below - green= 0-35 enterococcus MPN/100ml, red = >104 MPN/100ml, gray = unsampled, Kopachuck State Park is currently closed for renovations. MPN is most probable number of enterococcus per 100ml.

Blue Water Task Force, South Sound Lab is organized by the South Sound Surfrider Foundation, in partnership with SaMI Highschool, Harbor WildWatch and our amazing crew of volunteers. Our monthly sampling helps keep the public informed about possible issues with harmful bacteria September - May. You can stay up to date with our water quality results here: https://bwtf.surfrider.org/explore/29

Explore the Estuary - FREE Public Workshop

April 24, 1pm Billy Frank Jr. National Wildlife Refuge

Join Harbor WildWatch for a monthly workshop on the wild side! These tours will be paired with a monthly lesson that can be adapted for all ages. We will gather at 1pm on the covered lookout deck near the restrooms at Billy Frank Jr Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge before embarking on a 60-90 minute tour. Parking is $3 (cash) per vehicle.

April 24: Senses of the Salish Sea

Join us for an opportunity that engages all your senses to explore and appreciate the wonders of nature! Participants will embark on a guided adventure where they'll use sight, sound, touch, smell, and maybe even taste to make detailed observations of the natural world. From the rustling of leaves and the scent of wildflowers to the texture of tree bark and the vibrant colors of spring, this hands-on experience will deepen your connection to the environment. Perfect for nature enthusiasts of all ages, this workshop promises to enhance your sensory awareness and inspire a newfound appreciation for the beauty around us.

*Check website and Facebook event details for possible changes.