Seal Sitters Events and Training

We encourage those of all ages who are interested in marine mammals, their protection and welfare to attend our training sessions. Once a volunteer training session has been completed, you are eligible to become a member of Seal Sitters.

Volunteers are not only vital for the protection of seal pups and other marine mammals, but also perform a public service by providing education to local residents as well as visitors from around the world.

Learn more about volunteering here.

NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING WINTER/SPRING SESSION:
When: Saturday, March 9, 2013
Time: 10am-12pm
Where: Alki Congregational United Church, 6115 SW Hinds St (map it)
Session is filled.

This session will be a special training for those wanting to help protect marine mammals on the beaches of West Seattle and along the Duwamish River. We encourage children to participate in Seal Sitters, supervised at all times, of course, by a parent or guardian. We are very proud of our dedicated volunteers and hope you will join us.

A multi-media presentation will illustrate our educational work in the community and the unique challenges of protecting seals and other marine mammals in an urban environment. Included in the training is an overview of NOAA's Northwest Marine Mammal Stranding Network and biology and behavior of seals and other pinnipeds (due to time frame, supplementary sessions will include other marine mammals of Puget Sound). We will also be discussing our upcoming educational outreach project, Year of the Seal, culminated with the installation of a sculpture of a harbor seal mom and pup at Alki Beach. A followup on-the-beach session will be scheduled in the weeks to come.

There will be no training sessions during the height of pupping season (late summer - fall), due to time constraints on volunteers. However, there will be another training opportunity in May if you cannot attend this date.

SESSION IS FILLED.
We have reached capacity for the training thanks to a tremendous response from potential volunteers.
To be placed on a contact list for future training opportunities, please email us.

ALKI BEACH CLEANUP IN HONOR OF SEAL PUP SANDY, JULY 21, 2012

Seal Sitters, along with co-sponsors Alki Community Council and Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, held a cleanup of West Seattle's Alki Beach on July 21, 2012. Peggy Foreman of NOAA gave a short presentation about the dangers of marine debris shortly after we assembled at Alki's Statue of Liberty plaza (61st Ave SW and Alki Ave SW).

The year's cleanup events were in honor of seal pup Sandy who was rescued from a West Seattle beach in August of 2011, rehabilitated at PAWS Wildlife Center, and then released back to the wild in January of 2012. Sandy was fitted with a satellite tag (glued to her fur which would be shed when she molted) to monitor her success in the wild and provide valuable data to biologists about foraging patterns of rehabbed seals. Sixty-six days later, Sandy was found dead, entangled in derlict fishing line off the Edmonds Pier. Read more about Sandy.

Sandy has truly put a face on pollution. Countless thousands of marine animals die each year from marine debris, derelict fishing gear and pollution. Trash on the beach becomes treacherous in the water. Make a difference and help keep our beaches clean and our sea life safe. Read more about marine pollution here.

EVENTS AND TRAINING

EVENTS & TRAINING