Interview with Curtis Deutsch, University of Washington Professor of Chemical Oceanography

Enjoy KPTZ Radio's Nature Now host Nan Evans's interview with Curtis Deutsch, University of Washington Professor of Chemical Oceanography, our featured speaker on Dec. 10 at the Fort Worden Commons for the third installment of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s Future of Oceans Series: Short of Breath -- Marine Life in a Warming World. 

Curtis Deutsch, University of Washington Professor of Chemical Oceanography

The Future of Oceans: Sea-Level Rise’s Impact on Humans and Habitat in the Salish Sea

Eric E. Grossman, PhD
USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program

Sunday, January 14
3 pm
Eric E. Grossman, PhD
The Fort Worden Chapel

Admission: $5

(students, teachers FREE)

Urban growth, rising seas and changes in Pacific Northwest stream runoff are placing unprecedented pressure on coastal ecosystems and communities across Puget Sound. Estuaries, beaches and floodplains support many important uses, including fish and wildlife habitat, nationally-important farmland, and natural flood protection to prime real estate, industry and transportation corridors. Intensifying competition for coastal lands raises both the urgency and the challenge of adaptively managing ecosystems and the services they provide for long-term human well-being while accommodating near-term farming, growth and other land-uses. This presentation will synthesize climate change impact pathways leading to coastal squeeze of the Salish Sea and new research aimed to help resource managers and communities plan for adaptation.

2017 PTMSC Volunteer Gathering

Dec. 5 was a beautiful evening to be at the Port Townsend Yacht Club to celebrate and acknowledge the heart and soul of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center: all of our volunteers! Thank you to everyone who came -- and also to those of you who weren't able to make it -- for all your caring and effort! Each of you makes being part of PTMSC a joy.

 

 

Congratulations to these awesome people have all reached a new level of hours volunteered, and a new button to show the world. Thank you!

Over 50 hours Donna Larson John Mackey Cathy Parkman Steve Reed Laura Simpson Morgan Trail

Over 200 hours Tom Cawrse Jo Ferrero

Over 500 hours Dennis Cartwright Lee Merrill Ed Robeau

Over 1000 hours Merce Dostale Howard Teas

Over 1500 hours Sally Davis

Over 2000 hours Linda Dacon

Over 2500 hours Karen DeLorenzo

A Perfect Night Among the Stars

Sea Star Wasting Syndrome is a horrific disease that has impacted much of the coastal intertidal zones of the Western United States. It has caused sea star populations to collapse in some areas.

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center plays an active role in monitoring the spread of this disease in our local waters.

Currently, we monitor a plot off of Indian Island four times a year. We count the number of sea stars found in the plot and look for signs of wasting. The two species of interest when we are monitoring are ochre stars and mottled stars. However, seeing many species of sea stars in the plot is good news!

Ochre Star 

December 3rd was our last monitoring event in 2017. It also happened to be a super moon, when the full moon is at its closest to Earth, making the moon appear up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than usual.

Being from the Midwest, tide pooling is always a treat since I never have been able to do this back home, but adding a super moon to the mix made for an amazing night. The moon lit up the rocks and helped us spot all the animals. There were crabs, anemones, sand dollars, and sea stars all living in the intertidal zone.

Looking for Sea Stars

We saw a total of 8 sea stars in the plots. However, there were many more outside of our plots. The purple, red, and orange colors from the ochre stars and anemones were everywhere on the rocks. 

PTMSC's Amazing Volunteers, Part 4

Morgan Trail volunteers both behind the scenes and with the public at the PTMSC Marine Exhibit. She helps facilitate our “Feed the Animals” program that takes place Saturdays at 2 p.m. (spring - fall).

This weekly event allows visitors a rare opportunity to participate in the husbandry of our tidepool animals. Morgan prepares food, demonstrates proper feeding techniques, and invites visitors to interact with the animals. She makes sure no visitor or animal goes unnoticed.

Morgan helping at the Marine Exhibit

When asked what inspires her to conserve the Salish Sea, Morgan answered: “It’s my home and I love all the animals and plants here.”

Both exhibits OPEN for the holidays!

View Hope the orca with your closest loved ones.

Wondering what to do during the holidays with family from out of town?

Not sure if PTMSC will be open?

We will be OPEN:

Wednesday, December 27 through Sunday, December 31

Noon to 5pm each day

Celebrate your holidays with us on the Salish Sea!

PTMSC's Amazing Volunteers, Part 3

Sue Neulist recently moved to Port Townsend where, surrounded by wildlife and the wonders of local tide pools, she was inspired by the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s mission to conserve the Salish Sea. She has been volunteering at the Marine Exhibit since the summer of 2017.

Sue’s personal connection to the Salish Sea comes from kayaking around the area and hiking with her dog Merlin. The incredible beauty of the Salish Sea has sparked her interest in keeping the area healthy.

Sue’s favorite animal is the Tufted Puffin, which she has loved for many years. When teaching 5th graders, her students would save up their spare change and bring it to class to support bird programs.

During the month of December, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center is raising money to support place-based, people powered, hands-on learning. Your donation will help fund activities that inspire, such as youth summer camps, beach walks, touchable tide pools, and tours of the Orca Exhibit. Please send your gift or donate online at www.ptmsc.org by December 31st to receive a tax deduction.

Interested in becoming a PTMSC volunteer and working alongside inspired volunteers like Sue Neulist? Fill out our Volunteer Application! Questions? Contact Volunteer Coordinator Gabriele Sanchez at 360-385-5582 X 120, or send an email to volunteer@ptmsc.org.