The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team will deliver two free trainings, one in Friday Harbor on Saturday, Oct. 15 and one in Lopez Island on Sunday, Oct. 16. Additionally, Julia Parrish, Executive Director of COASST, will give a presentation entitled Seabirds, Citizen Science and Saving the World in Friday Harbor on Friday, Oct. 14.
COASST volunteers help make a difference for the environment by collecting data on beach-cast carcasses of marine birds on a monthly basis to establish the baseline pattern of beached bird mortality on North Pacific beaches. Data collected helps address important marine conservation issues and protect marine resources.
Through an interactive, hands-on workshop, trainees will become acquainted with the custom COASST field guide, “Beached Birds,” and have a chance to try out their newly acquired identification skills on seabird species common to the North Pacific. The COASST training provides volunteers with the tools to monitor for potential changes in the marine environment and promote stewardship of local marine resources.
COASST is a citizen science project of the University of Washington in partnership with state, tribal, and federal agencies, environmental organizations, and community groups. COASST believes citizens of coastal communities are essential scientific partners in monitoring marine ecosystem health. By collaborating with citizens, natural resource management agencies and environmental organizations, COASST works to translate long-term monitoring into effective marine conservation solutions. Currently, more than 800 volunteers survey beaches in Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska.
The presentation will be held at the Friday Harbor Laboratories – Commons (620 University Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14. The training session in Friday Harbor will be held at the same location from 10 a.m – 4 p.m on Saturday, Oct. 15. The training session on Lopez Island will be held at the San Juan County Fire District #4 (2228 Fisherman Bay Road, Lopez Island, WA 98261) from 11 a.m – 5 p.m on Sunday, Oct. 16. Beach surveys are best conducted in groups of two or more – please come with a survey partner in mind or plan to join a team during training.
Reserve your training spot at either training by calling COASST at 206-221-6893 or by emailing coasst@uw.edu. For more information on COASST: University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Box 355020, Seattle, WA 98195-5020; phone: (206) 221-6893; website: www.coasst.org; email: coasst@uw.edu
