News & Updates

Recent News

  • Washington Conservation Corps crew trapping European green crab. Cai Yan Leong

    European Green Crabs in Padilla Bay

    Written by guest contributors from Washington Conservation Corps (WCC): Cai Yan Leong, Jul

  • Cap Sante Marina. Port of Anacortes

    Protecting Eelgrass at Seafarers' Park, Anacortes

    This article originally appeared in the Waggoner Guide July 2026 newsletter and is shared here with their permission.

     

  • 2026 WCC crew. (Allie Simpson).

    Behind the scenes WCC crews lend a hand

    To set thousands of traps and remove hundreds of invasive European green crabs each year takes a dedicated team.

  • Nathaniel Ashford

    Sea Dragons Now: Nathaniel Ashford

    This blog post series highlights alumni of the Sea Dragons, a student-run underwater robotics team and their work with the Jefferson MRC, sharing reflections, advice, and the impact of hands-on marine conservation. 

  • Screenshot of House votes

    Exciting Progress on Northwest Straits Reauthorization

    We are excited to share that on June 3, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the House version of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2860) with strong bipartisan support: 374 yeas and 49 nays. 

  • Eastsound Beach Photo: Jess Newley, Friends of the San Juans

    Protecting Eelgrass Meadows in East Sound, Orcas Island

    This article originally appeared in the Waggoner Guide June, 2026 newsletter and is shared here with their permission.

  • Floating kelp. Brooke Weigle.

    April 16th is Bull Kelp Day!

    A time to celebrate and support all 22 species of kelp in our marine forests! 

    In 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson named April 16th Bull Kelp Day.

  • Riley Forth at Ocean Conference

    Sea Dragons Now: Riley Forth

    This blog post series highlights alumni of the Sea Dragons, a student-run underwater robotics team and their work with the Jefferson MRC, sharing reflections, advice, and the impact of hands-on marine conservation. 

  • Ella Ashford Palmyra Atoll

    Sea Dragons Now: Ella Ashford

    This blog post series highlights alumni of the Sea Dragons, a student-run underwater robotics team who worked with the Jefferson MRC from 2022-2024. The alumni share their reflections, advice, and the impact of hands-on marine conservation. 

  • Conway Middle School eighth graders participating in Kids on the Beach Program. Photos: Annie England

    Fall 2025 Kids on the Beach

    Forty-three Conway Middle School eighth graders explored marine science during the Fall 2025 Kids on the Beach program Oct. 23 at Fidalgo Bay Resort. With help from six Samish Department of Natural Resources staff and 25 volunteers, students conducted five beach seines and forage fish surveys, catching numerous fish and three hooded nudibranchs.