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.
Thanks to the Darrow Family for their ongoing support.
Recordings from previous lectures are further down this page.
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The lectures will take place at the Fort Worden Chapel, unless otherwise noted, starting at 3 p.m.
To keep this series accessible to all, regardless of the ability to pay, there is no set charge for the event; however, donations are always welcomed and appreciated.
Assisted Listening Devices available.
Sunday, November 20, 2022
"Of puffins and petrels: Conserving seabirds of the Salish Sea and Outer Coast of Washington"
Presented by Peter Hodum
Professor of Biology, University of Puget Sound
Hodum’s talk delves into the collaborative research focused on improving the understanding of the ecology and conservation status of species such as the Tufted Puffin, Rhinoceros Auklet, Cassin’s Auklet and Leach’s and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels.
“Although Washington is blessed with a rich community of breeding and wintering seabirds, relatively little is known about the ecology and conservation status of many of the species,” said Hodum. “This relative lack of knowledge extends to iconic species such as the Tufted Puffin, a species listed as endangered by Washington state.”
Click here to learn more about this lecture on the event page.
Sunday, December 4, 2022
"2022 update on the status of the invasive European green crab in Washington State"
Presented by Neil Harrington
Environmental biologist, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
In 2022 the proliferation of European green crab in Washington was declared an emergency by Governor Inslee. I will go over the biological and ecological implications of this invasive species and detail the fight to prevent their establishment with a focus on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Harrington has worked as an environmental biologist for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s Natural Resources Department for ten years. His work focuses on harmful algal blooms, native Olympia oyster habitat restoration, invasive European green crabs, Dungeness crab larval monitoring and outreach and education. He represents the tribe on the Dungeness River Audubon Center Board, the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee and the National Harmful Algal Bloom Committee.
Click here to learn more about this lecture on the event page.
Sunday, January 8, 2023
"Architecture As A Tool For Action"
Presented by Mark Johnson
Architect, Signal Architecture
Lecture description, and bio to come.
Sunday, January 22, 2023
Pinto abalone
Presented by Josh Bouma
Abalone Program Director, Puget Sound Restoration Fund
Lecture title, description, and bio to come.
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Salmon habitat restoration and river ecology
Presented by Kevin Long
Project Manager, North Olympic Salmon Coalition
Lecture title, description, and bio to come.
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Invasive seagrass and hybridization
Presented by Rebecca Mostow
Former PTMSC AmeriCorps member, recent PhD graduate
Lecture title, description, and bio to come.
Sunday, March 12, 2023
Gray whales
Presented by John Calambokidis
Senior Research Biologist, Cascadia Research Collective
Lecture title, description, and bio to come.
You can watch-- or watch again-- any of the speakers from the previous series.
"Deep Sea Mining is coming: What you need to know about this potentially huge new industry"
Lecture presented on November 13, 2022, by
Dr. Christopher Kelley, Ocean biologist, retired
YouTube link
The YouTube video description includes link to more information about deep sea mining and the environmental concerns. These links were provided by Dr. Kelley.
"Preventing Extinction – the Story of Southern Resident Orcas"
Lecture presented on June 12, 2022, by
Cindy Hansen, Education & Advocacy Coordinator at Orca Network
YouTube link
"We Are Puget Sound: Discovering and Recovering the Salish Sea”
Lecture presented on January 23, 2022, by
Mindy Roberts, Puget Sound Program Director at Washington Environmental Council
Joe Gaydos, Science Director, SeaDoc Society
Brian Footen, Founder and principal of Earthviews
YouTube link
"Southern Resident Killer Whales: Status, Trends, Solutions”
Lecture presented on October 17, 2021,
by Lynda Mapes
Journalist, the Seattle Times
Author of Orcas: Shared Waters, Shared Home
YouTube link
Our thanks to Dr. Christopher Kelly, Betsy Peabody, Dr. Ronald Thom, and John F. Piatt, Ph.D. for sharing their expertise with us during our first virtual series in 2020-2021.
"In Deeper Waters: Exploring Earth's Largest, Yet Least Understood, Biome"
Lecture presented on November 8, 2020,
by Dr. Christopher Kelley
Hawai'i Undersea Research Laboratory
University of Hawai'i
YouTube link
"Immersions in the World of Kelp"
Lecture presented on December 13, 2020,
by Betsy Peabody
Executive director of Puget Sound Restoration Fund
YouTube link
"What Eelgrass and Other Marine Vegetation Can Tell Us about the Future of the Ocean”
Lecture presented on January 10, 2021
by Dr. Ronald Thom
Staff Scientist Emeritus
Marine Sciences Lab,
Pacific Northwest National Lab
YouTube link
"What Can Puffins Tell Us about the Impact of Climate Change on Marine Ecosystems?"
Lecture presented on March 14, 2021
by John F. Piatt, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, Seabird and Forage Fish Ecology Program Leader,
USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage AK
YouTube link
