PEER INTO THE SSEA
May 2017
Note from the Executive Director

How many legs can you count on "Lefty," our kelp crab ambassador? Did you answer ten? If so, you are correct! But when we first rescued Lefty from Boston Harbor, she was missing three of her legs. This month, she molted, which is the process by which crabs grow. During molting, they shed their exoskeleton, and it is possible for these amazing critters to regenerate their legs. We are so lucky to have her intact molt at the Estuarium. So come down, and check it out! I never tire of learning about what the amazing animals in Puget Sound can do! Oh plus, she's sitting on a new Feather Duster addition - also incredible to watch!

In April, the Beach Naturalists started their training, and we are so lucky to have 17 new participants join us this year! During Memorial Day weekend, we will kick off our Meet the Beach program. Our Beach Naturalists are looking forward to hitting the beach and talking about all the estuary and marine creatures and habitats. We will be at Tolmie and Burfoot beaches on Saturday, May 27; Sunday, May 28; and Monday, May 29th. Check the schedule for details at www.SSEAcenter.org/MTB.
Many of us participated in the March for Science as well. Our Cnideria (\nī-ˈder-ē-ən\) sign received many inquiries....we pronounced it jokingly as "I Dare Ya to Care About Ocean Acidification." Cnideria is a phylum of mostly squishy estuary and marine animals, including jellyfish and sea anemones. Their distinguishing feature is cnidocytes, specialized cells that they use mainly for capturing prey. 

In future plans, I am happy to announce that we are working with Carrie Ziegler to redo the mural on Carras Cabinets side of our building, near Old School Pizza. The new mural will feature plankton and highlight the importance of these tiny food sources for Puget Sound's ecosystem. We will be hosting several plankton and art events in June and July, so keep your eyes out for these announcements. 

We hope you enjoy this issue and more sun will be coming our way soon!
SAVE THE DATE - August 27th, SSEA the Sound Cruise
  
When: August 27th. Tickets will go on sale in June. Seats are limited, so keep an eye out for the notice; you'll want to order your tickets early!

Where: Leaving from Port of Olympia public dock (west of Anthony's Homeport)

What: The Puget Sound Estuarium invites you and your friends to join us for our 9th annual SSEA the Sound cruise. We are pleased that Wendy Gerstel will join us to share her knowledge of Puget Sound's unique geology.

Guest speaker: Wendy Gerstel, Applied Geologist

Plan to join us for an afternoon cruise aboard the yacht, My Girl. We will learn about the geology of Puget Sound while enjoying conversation and good food. Most importantly, you will be supporting important Puget Sound Estuarium education programs!
Discovery Speaker Series
  
For our last Discovery Speaker Series of the season, Dr. Bonnie Becker gave a fascinating presentation about Olympia Oysters. Dr. Bonnie Becker is Associate Professor of Marine Ecology at the University of Washington, and she especially looks at reproductive aspects of Olympia Oysters, and how they move around. We learned about passive versus active restoration, how Olympia Oysters are alternating hermaphrodites, and how the effect of ocean acidification may be different for different species of oysters. Most importantly, Olympia Oysters played an integral part in our history and are extremely important to our Washington State culture.

To check out Dr. Becker's presentation, click HERE .

Thank you to everyone who made the Discovery Speaker Series amazing this season. See you again this Fall!
Annual Meeting
  
Our Annual Meeting was a success! We hosted Scott Steltzner from the Squaxin Island Tribe. Scott gave us an overview of the Tribe's important environmental programs. He also presented some very interesting research about ocean acidification's effect on salmon species.

Sasha Medlen gave a review of the Estuarium's accomplishments during the last year, including:
  • Approved a new "Doing Business As," Puget Sound Estuarium
  • Increased and improved our K-12 Education Programs, such as "On the Water," as well as field trips to the Estuarium and to the beach
  • Hired new staff: Sasha Medlen, Executive Director; Taisha McFall, Estuarium Manager; and Susan Shelton, Volunteer and Education Coordinator
  • Vastly improved the Estuarium facility and exhibits; developed several rotating exhibits
  • Held the first annual "Thanks4Giving," during which we celebrated more than 4,000 volunteer hours donated in 2016
  • Revised our membership levels and created our first annual fundraising drive
  • Hosted amazing marine and estuary experts at our Discovery Speaker Series
  • Held two successful fundraising events, Songs for SSEA and SSEA the Sound
  • Updated outreach materials, such as the newsletter, flyers, and our website
We also welcomed two new board members: Robin McPherson and Diana Larsen-Mills.

Program Updates

Estuarium 

April was all about being outside for the Estuarium. From eco-field days with first graders in Shelton, to participating in the regional Envirothon competition at Nisqually Refuge, to collecting live native plants for our aquariums- our staff and volunteers were able to experience the indecisive, unpredictable weather of the Great Northwest at it's fullest. We hope that you have been able to play outside as well!

Spring cleaning fever has landed at the Estuarium, and on May 26th, we will be hosting a drop-in work party from 11am - 7pm. There will be something to do for anyone who would like to help! If you have any questions about the work party, please contact [email protected] for more information.

If you've been one of the many who are following the ongoing story of our awesome kelp crab ambassador, Lefty, then you will be happy to hear that she has finally molted and is now the proud owner of ten beautiful red legs. You can visit Lefty and say hello to all our other animal ambassadors every weekend during Estuarium open hours, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am - 4 pm. Come see what's new!

If you would like to schedule a field trip at the Estuarium, please email [email protected] for more information.
Meet the Beach 

The Beach Naturalist training is underway! This year, we have 17 new volunteers and about 10 returning volunteers participating in the training. So far, we’ve learned about estuaries in general and Puget Sound in particular; the impacts of the built environment on estuaries and Puget Sound restoration projects; natural interpretation; local oysters; and the history and mission of the Puget Sound Estuarium. Taisha introduced us to the creatures that live in our Estuarium. We look forward to the official kick off of the 2017 Meet the Beach season on Saturday, May 27. For our K-12 groups, we are working with South Sound Green for their Near Shore field trips, and we’ve scheduled four summer field trips with students at local beaches.

Pier Peer

Pier Peer is temporarily suspended until the pier at Boston Harbor is repaired. Stay tuned!
About the Puget Sound Estuarium
Explore * Connect * Inspire

The Puget Sound Estuarium was founded by the South Sound Estuary Association (SSEA) to create opportunities for the public to learn about estuaries, geology, natural and cultural history, marine life, and human impact on the Puget Sound (the biggest estuary in the United States by volume and second largest in the United States by shoreline).

Our mission is to foster learning opportunities that inspire people of all ages to connect with, protect, and enjoy the unique estuary environment of the Puget Sound. 

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and are supported by donations from caring individuals like you. Please help us continue our work by donating today. You can donate by mailing your check to: South Sound Estuary Association, PO Box 2182, Olympia, WA 98507, or visiting www.SSEAcenter.org/donate.
Our Supporters

 We are grateful to have the support of our major donors, sponsors, and partners. Support these local businesses & partners. They support SSEA!  
  • LOTT's WET Science Center - Discovery Speaker Series partner 
  • Coffee News - outreach partner
  • Boston Harbor Marina - our Pier Peer partner
  • TSS Digital Services - providing Internet and phone services to the Estuarium
  • William Thomas, Aquariums W - aquarium maintenance
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