Did you know that Washington is home to the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, one of the largest marine sanctuaries in the United States?
It stretches along about 135 miles of Washington’s outer Pacific coast and protects roughly 3,100 square miles of marine waters. The sanctuary includes sea stacks, kelp forests, deep submarine canyons, coral and sponge habitats, and major migration routes for whales.
Join the team from the Port Angeles-based nonprofit Olympic Coast Exploration Center, an education organization focused on the northwest coast of the Olympic Peninsula, for a lively evening bringing together people working across ocean conservation, industry, science, and innovation to share some of the climate impacts happening along Washington's coast and why they matter far beyond the shoreline.
This is a community facing educational and awareness building event focused on the urgency of climate action, the importance of ocean science, and the diverse perspectives as represented by these panelists and moderator:
Fred Felleman, Port of Seattle Commissioner — Marine biologist turned elected port commissioner; 30+ years protecting the Salish Sea, from orca research to clean energy policy
Casey McLean, Executive Director, SR3 — Licensed veterinary technician, marine biologist, and founder of the PNW's only dedicated marine wildlife hospital
Chris Butler-Minor, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation — NOAA-affiliated community engagement specialist bridging federal sanctuary science, volunteers, and local advisory action on the Olympic Coast
Leaders from Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe — Indigenous stewards whose treaty-protected fishing rights and cultural lifeways are on the frontlines of ocean acidification
Melissa Williams, Executive Director, Feiro Marine Life Center —Marine Science education leader and champion directing the Olympic Coast Exploration Center project coming to Port Angeles
Megan McNally, Edgewater Business Law (Moderator)— Mission-driven business attorney and strategist counseling the nonprofits and innovators building the next economy
Schedule for the evening:
5 PM: Arrivals, Happy Hour, Raffles, Speaker and Sponsor Booths
6 PM: Interactive panel featuring leaders from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, SR3, Edgewater Business Law, Port of Seattle and more.
7 PM: Social Hour, Raffles, Speaker and Sponsor Booths
If you care about the water that sustains Washington, want a clearer picture of the challenges ahead, or are simply curious about the work happening in our own backyard, this is a great place to start. Come ready to learn something new, and leave with a stronger connection to our coastal waterways and the community that sustains them.
Sponsored by: Port of Seattle, National Nordic Museum, Edgewater Business Law, Urban Surf, Olympic Coast Exploration Center, and more.