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Volunteer Opportunities
Lecture Greeters Wanted Sunday, January 18
We're looking for 3 people to volunteer as greeters for our next lecture on Sunday, January 18 at 2:30pm. New volunteers are welcome-please arrive at 2:15 for a brief orientation to being a lecture greeter.
To volunteer, please RSVP to Hillary Kleeb @ hkleeb@ptmsc.org
MLK Jr. Day of Service Monday, January 19
Join us for our annual MLK Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 19, 2026 from 10:00 am-1:00 pm!
Meet at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center portico in Fort Worden State Park at 10 am. Address: 502 Harbor Defense Way
We'll be pulling invasive beachgrass north of the pier by Knapp's Circle, so dress for the work and the weather. Bring work gloves and shovels/pitchforks/hand tools like small shovels/loppers if you have them. We'll have some tools to borrow as well. Light snacks and water will be provided. Parking is free at Fort Worden for the day, but carpooling is always encouraged.
Low Tide Walks at Night Friday, January 30 and February 27
Our Low Tide Walks at Night are coming up and we need your help! The dates & times are: Friday January 30th, 7:00pm - 8:30pm Friday February 27th 6:00pm - 7:30pm
We are looking for six or seven volunteers to guide small groups of participants around the tide pools at North Beach and help point out cool things you find along the way in the dark! Please bear in mind that this role requires balance and confidence walking over slick rocks and algae at night. A basic familiarity with intertidal life is great; if you are newer to tidepooling we can find someone to buddy with.
Optional training for new & returning LTW volunteers is Wednesday January 21st, 6:00pm - 7:00pm.
Please email Carolyn at cwoods@ptmsc.org with questions, to RSVP for the training, and to volunteer for Low Tide Walks.
Announcements
Welcome Jen Kingfisher!
We are so excited to announce that Jen Kingfisher has joined PTMSC! Jen will be supporting leadership, fundraising, and communications as PTMSC's s Deputy Director / Director of Development and Communications, and we're thrilled to start 2026 with her on our team!
Jen brings years of experience from the Jefferson Community Foundation, where she most recently served in a senior program and grants management role. Her career began in science education as an intern for PTMSC in 1997 while she was a student at The Evergreen State College. Since then, Jen worked in residential environmental education, lectured in the biological sciences in higher education, and taught middle school science and math. Jen also worked on PTMSC’s marine plastic pollution program in 2008-2009—making this a meaningful return to an organization that has shaped her professional path.
PTMSC invites volunteers to stop by and meet Jen Kingfisher at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center offices at Flagship Landing, where she is based.
Pints and Plankton - NEW
Tuesday, January 20, 5pm
Join us at Social Fabric Brewing on Tuesday, January 20 at 5pm for our very first Pints and Plankton—aka marine science happy hour! No science talk required (unless you really want to).
This is a laid-back chance for volunteers to hang out, get to know each other and our staff, and enjoy some good drinks while supporting a local microbrewery.
Future of Oceans Lecture Series
Puffins: Beloved Sentinels of Ocean Health with John Piatt
Sunday, January 18, 3pm
Wheeler Theater
Who doesn’t love Puffins? With their brightly colored parrot-bills, tuxedo plumage, and upright waddle-walk, these iconic seabirds are cherished around the world. Puffins are athletic, resilient, and voracious marine predators living in an extreme environment for birds. Agile and fast aerial flyers, they also “fly” under water to great depths in pursuit of schooling prey. In this presentation, John Piatt will explain why puffins are among the most successful seabird species breeding in the Northern Hemisphere, and and how they thrive in remote ocean wildernesses, as well as the biggest threat to their survival.
Gift bags always needed The Gift Shop will happily repurpose your clean, gently used handle bags and gift bags! All sizes needed. Paper or cloth only, please.
They can be dropped off in the store or admin office during open hours. Thank you so much!
Upcoming courses, workshops, lectures and exhibits (not hosted by PTMSC)
iNaturalist Presentation by Wendy Feltham
January 14, 2026
You are invited to attend PTMSC volunteer Wendy Feltham's first presentation as a volunteer "iNaturalist Ambassador" on Wednesday, January 14, at 3pm. She will speak about how to use iNaturalist and how it enhanced her recent trip to Panama. She will discuss Panama's many ecosystems and show her photos of plants, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, and the Canal. Since this is sponsored by the Friends of Ft. Flagler, they are asking for a $5 donation: https://friendsoffortflagler.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=/portal/events/30896
Location: Fort Flagler’s World War II Rec Center. After entering the park, go straight ahead at the 4- way stop. Pass the ranger station on your left and the museum on your right. Look straight ahead on your left; you'll see a newly remodeled building. That is the theater and the Rec Center is behind it. A State Park pass is needed.
Registration January 5 and after - $50, or $40 for seniors/students
Sound Waters University
February 7, 2026
From drifting plankton to majestic orcas, and from the lapping waters along the shoreline to the mysterious depth of the Sea, every life form plays a role in the broader ecological story. Tracing Life through the Salish Sea explores the intricate web of relationships that connect species, habitats, and communities throughout this unique marine ecosystem.
Thank you to Steve McDevitt and Lori and Richard VanDeMark for helping to respond to a deceased sea otter at Cape George! This is only the second confirmed stranding report of a sea otter to the MMSN in 10 years.
On December 30th Steve, Lori, and Richard went out to find this sea otter 0.5 miles down the beach, and Steve helped Hillary S and Kelly K haul the sea otter back another 0.5 miles, where it was passed along to WDFW for necropsy on New Year's Eve.
Thank you again Steve, Lori, and Richard for helping the MMSN contribute to learning more about the marine mammals we share the Salish Sea with.
Housekeeping & General Info
Are your volunteer hours up to date?
The time you give in volunteering with PTMSC has value beyond the mission you support and hopefully the feelings of contribution and connection it gives you.
Those hours are used in grant writing and reporting, which happens year round and is an important piece of the funding for PTMSC. We are in need of current hours!
Information about and the link for recording your hours
A link to the awesome Volunteer Resources page. Learn about PTMSC, the Salish Sea, habitats, current issues, and much more
The past four volunteer updates
Volunteer schedules: currently the Gallery and Citizen Science schedules
Volunteer spotlight blogposts
You can find the webpage at this link, and in the Support section of the webpage.
PTMSC volunteer Facebook group
Visit the PTMSC Volunteer page on Facebook. This is a private group just for volunteers, and we try to populate it with interesting photos, updates from the marine science world, and of course with the many activities of our fabulous volunteers.
Flagship Store and Gallery Hours 1001 Water St
Store
Sunday, Monday, Thursday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday, Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Flagship Gallery Friday - Sunday, noon - 3 p.m. Under the Surface of the Salish Sea
PTMSC Exhibit at Fort Worden Hours 502 Harbor Defense Way
Friday-Monday 11am-4pm
News & Resources
Links of note:
Please share any news articles you think might be of interest to our group! Send them to volunteer@ptmsc.org. Thank you!
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