"the mountain and the sea are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books." -john lubbock
Meet Our Team
The Salish Sea School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, inclusion, and connectedness. We are able to grow and learn better together with a diverse team. We welcome the unique contributions that one can bring in terms of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
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We are stronger together with the collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent which ultimately brings about a healthier planet.
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Click on the pictures below to learn more.
A marine biology boating adventure in the San Juans middle and high school students
Description: Guardians of the Sea Jr. and Guardians of the Sea is a four day (10AM-4PM) daily boat and local island based educational adventure that spans the marine ecosystem. It is the perfect program to spark interest in marine ecosystems and understand how it is all connected, from water quality to whales.
Our curriculum is designed to introduce students to the local marine life in the Salish Sea. From eel grass, to forage fish, to seals, to seabirds, we believe experiential education initiates a desire to save our natural world.
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Each day includes healthy snacks, local lunch, and a stop at an island for a hike or tidal pool exploration.
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Highlights include:
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Experience incredible marine life
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Marine species identification
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Water and land-based research
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Environmental service projects
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Small group learning
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Mindfulness in nature activities
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Each day's lesson will focus on the specific topic listed below, however we never can predict what marine life each day will bring! The ultimate goal is to experience the animals' ecosystem and understand how students can become leaders in marine conservation - seeing whales is never guaranteed.
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At the end of each program, students will get a baseball cap with the special Salish Sea School trident, symbolizing they have become a Guardian of the Sea.
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Location, Date, & Cost
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This program meets at Skyline Marina in Anacortes, Washington.
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Guardians of the Sea Jr. - $1,250, for students 11-13 years old​, ​four days from 10AM-4PM + 2-hr introductory day on Monday (Non-refundable $350 deposit due)
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Guardians of the Sea - $1,250, for students 14-18 years old​, ​four days from 10AM-4PM + 2-hr introductory day on Monday (Non-refundable $350 deposit due)
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Please note: weather conditions will dictate if/when we go out on the water. If conditions do not permit boat travel, we will be exploring all that Fidalgo has to offer or ferry to another island for new adventures.
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Each day focuses on one of the topics listed below, however we never can predict what marine life each day will bring! Click on the round picture to learn more.
learn more
Adventure:
Marine Birds of the Salish Sea​
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Research:
Tufted Puffin Survey​
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Action:
Forage Fish Habitat
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Adventure:
Salish Sea Pinnipeds/Porpoises
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Research:
Pinnipeds/Porpoise Survey
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Action:
Stormwater & Contaminants
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Adventure:
Baleen Whales of the Salish Sea​
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Research:
Marine Debris Survey​
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Action:
Marine Debris Reduction
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Adventure:
Orcas of the Salish Sea​
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Research:
Visit the Center for Whale Research's Orca Survey Center in Friday Harbor​
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Action:
Local Salmon Declines
Each day also includes:
stress-reduction practices
Stress-reduction practices (mindfulness activities) such as nature journaling, breath work, and increased awareness of surroundings will be implemented to help awaken the senses and enable one to be fully present in the moment.
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Mindfulness practices have been show to improve breathing, lower heart rate, improve circulation, improve immune function, reduce physcial stress responses, improve sleep, and much more. Learn more here.
an unplugged experience
Guardians of the Sea provides important time away from the computer, TV, and cell phone enabling more time for learning, interacting, and 100% engagement.
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"The urge to check Twitter or refresh Reddit becomes a nervous twitch that shatters uninterrupted time into shards too small to support the presence necessary for an intentional life.”
- Cal Newport, Digital Minimalism
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"Every individual matters, every individual has a role to play, every individual makes a difference."
-Jane Goodall