Get to Know the Puget Sound Estuarium

They offer a variety of all-ages educational programs that inspire individuals to take better care of our shared natural resources.

The Puget Sound Estuarium's mission is to foster learning opportunities that inspire people of all ages to connect with, protect, and enjoy the unique estuary environment of Puget Sound. They offer a variety of all-ages educational programs that inspire individuals to take better care of our shared natural resources."Right now, the estuarium is open to the public Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m." We have limited capacity for visitors due to COVID-19, but can easily accommodate private school groups and tour groups with advance notice," says Paris McClusky, Executive Director.

During the fall, the Estuarium offers its Pier Peer Program every month at Boston Harbor Marina. Their trained biologists provide underwater lights that attract spectacular estuary creatures for you to safely scoop up and observe, while volunteer Beach Naturalists help you identify and learn more about what you’ve found. From octopus to anemones, from sea stars to sea slugs, you never know what you’ll encounter! The program is free to attend for children under 12.

The Puget Sound Estuarium is partnering with Capitol Land Trust for the pilot year of their Bayshore Preserve Salmon Docent volunteer program! Volunteer docents will be stationed at different areas along Johns Creek where the public (including local students and their families) can view the chum salmon. Volunteers will provide interpretation about the preserve and the salmon.

The goals of the Salmon Docent program are to:

• Invite the community to visit Bayshore Preserve
• Share what Capitol Land Trust and partners have done to improve salmon habitat at the preserve
• Explain basic salmon information and behavior

Learn more about the dates and volunteer training here.

In addition, the Estuarium will be hosting a traveling Orca exhibit from the beginning of November through the end of January. The exhibit will cover Orcas life histories, current struggles, and more and is based on Lynda Mape's book Orca: Shared Water, Shared Home. "We are so pleased to host this exhibit and excited to welcome author Linda Mapes as part of our Discovery Speaker series to present through Facebook live on November 4 at 6:30 p.m.," says McClusky. You can learn more on their Facebook page.

"We are excited about the future of the Estuarium and continuing to expand our educational and volunteer opportunities," says McClusky. Right now our Community Development intern is in the process of translating our of our educational materials into Spanish, and our goal is for equity and inclusion for all of our program offerings."

Puget Sound Estuarium will be participating in South Sound Community Foundation's Give Local Campagian Fund, which runs November 8-19. Learn more here. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with the latest news.

*Photos Courtesy Puget Sound Estuarium