So many activities to check out to keep us empowering conservation for a thriving Salish Sea!
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Harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus)
Photo by PTMSC Volunteer Wendy Feltham
Octopress Online April 2025
What's New in 502?
Inside, fresh paint on the walls and trim give everything a new look, while the staff is dialing in choices for tanks and tank stands.
Here are a couple of other clues to changes you will see when the new exhibit is complete:
Bruce Carlson, who designed the downtown Store's beautiful desk, chooses the best wood for cabinetry in the new exhibit.
Prototypes of new graphics peek out from the windows.
Until next month's update...
Diane Quinn
EARTH DAY BEACH CLEANUP
Saturday, April 19
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
The PTMSC annual Earth Day beach cleanup brings volunteers together from far and wide to clean the beaches and roadways in our area.
In partnership with WA CoastSavers, volunteers will collect debris and contribute data on their findings to the Ocean Conservancy’s international database. Learn about the impact of past cleanups on our webpage, Coastal Cleanups.
Join us at either of our check-in locations: Fort Worden State Park or Chimacum Corner Farmstand. At these, you will be given directions to beach locations and supplies like trash bags and gloves.
As our way of saying thanks, the first 150 participants will receive a $5 gift card for the PT Food Coop, and a $1 off coupon for any item at the Keg and I.
Thank you to our amazing sponsors, PT Food Co-op and Keg and I, for their support! Thank you to Olympic Disposal for their donated trash services! Additional support for this event is provided through a Public Participation Grant from the WA State Department of Ecology.
Please note: A Discover Pass is required to park anywhere in Fort Worden State Park. You can purchase a Pass at kiosks located around the park and at the Park office, 200 Battery Way.
NOW SHOWING
at the Flagship Landing Gallery:
Aves:
Photographs of Birds
by Kerry Tremain
thru June 8
Friday - Sunday
12 - 3 p.m.
We are thrilled to be able to share Kerry Tremain's work in our gallery this spring. Kerry's photographs in Aves demonstrate the close, patient observation of the natural world that is required to capture a moment of a bird's life. His images are also detailed records of birds we may have seen, but never quite as beautifully as he saw them with his camera.
This show provides an ideal opportunity for PTMSC to connect visitors to the natural world, to see life in a new way, and we know people will be awed by what they see.
Join us for First Saturday Gallery Walk! April 5, open 5 – 8 p.m.
SPRING TIME BIRDING
at Fort Worden State Park
Not one but TWO great birding events coming this spring!
Black Oystercatcher photo by Wendy Feltham
Do you enjoy birding? Are you a beginning birder who wants to learn more or an experienced birder who wants to continue to build on your birding foundation? Then join the PTMSC for this bird watching experience as we journey along looking for our spectacular feathered friends!
Tuesday, April 22
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Fort Worden State Park - Meet at the PTMSC Museum Portico
These are free events, and donations are welcome and appreciated. Advance registration is REQUIRED for these events. We will close registration once we reach our limit of registrants per event. This limit is to make sure that the individuals leading the walk will have the opportunity to guide and facilitate your bird watching experience.
Please note that a Discover Pass is required to park at Fort Worden State Park. Carpooling or taking the bus (#2 Fort Worden Route) is recommended.
photo by Wendy Feltham
REPAIR EVENTS!
Join us for our free community gatherings in which people with repair skills share their time and talents to fix their neighbors’ belongings.
Limit of 2 items per person. If you know the specific part needed to repair your item, we ask that you bring it along.
Bring your toaster that no longer toasts, sweater with a hole in the elbow, and excitement to get these belongings repaired while also learning how they did it and ways you could do it yourself next time!
Limits apply - look at the following events to learn more
UPCOMING IN-PERSON REPAIREVENTS:
Port Townsend Repair Event
(Evening Session)
Tuesday, April 8
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Cotton Building, downtown Port Townsend
At PTMSC, our summer day camps allow burgeoning young scientists and adventurers to spend a week exploring beaches, uncovering treasures hidden in our exhibits, playing games, making crafts, and hiking through beautiful Fort Worden State Park.
Camps are offered for ages 6-14.
Join us for a wet, sandy, adventurous, fun-filled week!
Nearly 70 percent of the nesting seabird population of Puget Sound and the Straits nest at these two islands, just outside of Port Townsend, including one of the largest nesting colonies of rhinoceros auklets in the world, as well as the largest nesting colony of glaucous-winged gulls in Washington. Protection Island contains one of the last 2 nesting colonies of tufted puffins in the Puget Sound area. About 1,000 harbor seals rely upon the island for a pupping and rest area.
These cruises are hosted by seasoned PTMSC naturalists and interpreters, who provide excellent commentary on the natural history of the island and the birds and wildlife sighted. Sign up for a cruise today!
We saw some wonderful turnouts to these events this season. If you attended any (or all) of this season's offerings, thank you for supporting this long running series in service to marine science pursuits!
Our lecture series, The Future of Oceans, draws on the commitment of professional researchers and educators across all academic spectrums to help define and inspire the health of our oceans.
We post videos of these events on our YouTube page. Subscribe to our channel to get the latest videos!
With the Museum at Fort Worden State Park closed for remodeling until early Summer of 2025, we encourage you to check out our website (and future editions of this newsletter) for upcoming programs!
