Organizations

The National Audubon Society launched Project Puffin in 1973 to learn how they might restore puffins to historic nesting islands in the Gulf of Maine. It was almost a decade before they succeeded in their goal of getting puffins to return to historically occupied colonies in the Gulf of Maine. Through active restoration on seven seabird colonies in the Gulf of Maine, and monitoring those populations, researchers listen to and amplify what seabirds tell them about climate change, forage fish management, proposed offshore wind development, and other ocean conservation challenges. Now known as the “Audubon Seabird Institute”, conservation work also continues by sharing restoration methods that benefit rare and endangered seabirds worldwide. The overall mission of the Institute is to advance the science of seabird conservation while encouraging protection and appreciation of seabird habitats worldwide.

The Salish Sea is a phenomenal place — one of the world’s largest and most biologically rich inland seas. It is an enormous watershed of habitats, species, processes and relationships.

At the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center fulfills its mission of empowering conservation for a thriving Salish Sea by welcoming people to discover and delight in the incredible biodiversity of this body of water. Since 1982 we have introduced hundreds of thousands of people to the wonders of the Salish Sea through our exhibits and programs at Fort Worden State Park and, since 2022, at the Flagship Landing building in downtown Port Townsend. Why? Because these waters are amazing—beautiful, dynamic, and brimming with life—and because humans and oceans are interconnected. Our survival depends on healthy seas and oceans worldwide.

We believe humans have a responsibility to be better stewards of our marine environment. And we know this is possible.