Next Saturday, it’s two ways in one day to get involved with Seal Sitters and others who care about the local environment and wildlife. They’re separate events – you can participate in one or both – but since both are happening next Saturday, and requesting RSVPs, we’re telling you about them together:

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

SENTINELS OF THE SOUND BEACH CLEANUP (9 am-11:30 am)

Tying in with our theme of marine debris for Flipper Fest, we are having a beach cleanup at Alki on Saturday morning, June 13th, from 9-11:30 am. It will be a very low tide that day and we expect to find a lot of trash and most certainly at least 1,000 cigarette butts – of the estimated 360 billion that are discarded every year in the U.S. alone, all the while leaching toxic chemicals into the soil and waterways. Since most marine debris originates from land, we will be scouring the streets and sidewalks along the beach as well.

We hope to have a big turnout of passionate people who want to help keep wildlife safe. For more details, you can visit our website events page. There you will find info on West Seattle seal pup Sandy and the Arroyos gray whale, in whose honor we hold these annual beach cleanups.

We’re requesting that folks RSVP on the link included on the events page so that we can ensure we have enough buckets and other materials on hand. NOAA’s Peggy Foreman will give a short talk about the human trash found in the Arroyos whale before we disperse. PAWS Wildlife will have a representative there to discuss seal pup rehab. We’ll assemble at the Statue of Liberty plaza.

And then a bit later …

(Photo by Robin Lindsey)

SEAL SITTERS NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING: JUNE 2015 SESSION

When: Saturday, June 13, 2015
Time: 1 – 3:30 pm
Training starts promptly at 1 (doors open at 12:30)
RSVP required (see below)

Help protect wildlife! Volunteer with Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network. On Saturday afternoon, June 13th, we will be holding a special training for those wanting to protect marine mammals along the shoreline of West Seattle and the Duwamish River. Unlike most marine mammal stranding networks, we encourage children to participate in Seal Sitters – supervised at all times, of course, by a parent or guardian. We are so proud of our amazing and dedicated volunteers who are on duty rain or shine – we hope you will join us!

A multi-media presentation will illustrate Seal Sitters MMSN’s 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 Western Region Marine Mammal Stranding Network and biology and behavior of seals and other pinnipeds (due to time frame, supplementary sessions will include more marine mammals of Puget Sound).

FOR MORE DETAILS AND RSVP, visit Seal Sitters’ event page . RSVP is required to assure seating.