Check out our interactive map and get the big picture of where we’re making a difference across our shorelines
Training Program
Project Metric
Volunteer Education and Training (VET) is at the heart of what we do. To date, we have trained over 800 people to be volunteers in and around Island County. This training takes place annually over two semesters (spring and fall) and encompasses a total of 100 hours. Classes are held weekly Thursdays virtually via Zoom; classes are taught by experts in their respective fields.
Spring class topics focus on ecosystems: estuaries, wetlands, geology, intertidal, Coast Salish tribal ecosystem management, marine biology, marine mammals, birds, forage fish, native plants. Then, in the fall, we address human impacts on the natural ecosystems: ocean acidification, climate change, sea level rise, resource and fish/shellfish resource preservation, and a whole lot more! We structure the fall training to build upon spring topics and make sure we cover the ways we can all be a part of the solution.
One of the favorite highlights of our training is the field trip opportunities.
SWS training consistently receives fantastic reviews, and we are constantly working to improve our process and topics as life evolves in the Salish Sea.
Won’t you join us on this amazing adventure?! How to become a volunteer.