"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.
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.
Click on the pictures below to learn more.
Where Community Meets the Sea
Our weekly FREE community programs are all about connecting you with marine science and your community!
Upcoming Events
From fan favorites like the Salish Sea Coffee Club, Dock Walks, and Family Barnacle Buddies, to citizen science opportunities and trivia nights - there is a way for everyone to connect to the sea and community with the Salish Sea School!
Community Calendar
An easy quick overview of all the community happenings at the Salish Sea School - our community calendar is the perfect place to start planning your week.
Looking for Information about out Discovery Center?
Did you know we have a Discovery Center? For more information and hours, explore our Visit Us page.
Summer Discovery Center Hours:
9:30am-3:30pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday
(closed 4th of July Weekend)
Join us at one of our community events
What's Coming Up
Nov 14, 2026, 9:30 AM – 1:00 PMThe Salish Sea School, 2201 Skyline Way Unit 101, Anacortes, WA 98221, USAExplore the incredible role plankton play in creating a healthy Salish Sea while partaking in a fun and easy plankton stamp craft.
Nov 17, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PMAnacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St, Anacortes, WA 98221, USAJoin The Salish Sea School, Friends of The San Juans and The Anacortes Public Library for an evening celebrating and learning about Salish Sea Salmon - including an immersive Salish Sea Dome experience!
Nov 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AMNorthern State Recreation Area, 25625 Helmick Rd, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284, USAGrab your travel mug and beanies and join Salish Sea School staff and salmon biologist Craig Olson for a special Salish Sea Coffee Club field trip to view spawning salmon at Northern State Recreation Area!
Nov 21, 2026, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM1016 9th St, 1016 9th St, Anacortes, WA 98221, USAJoin The Salish Sea School and our friends at Anacorals for Elves Night Out in downtown Anacortes! See glowing live corals, create your own coral ornament, shop for ocean-inspired holiday gifts, and enter to WIN an exciting marine wildlife ecotour or mini-aquarium!
Nov 28, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PMThe Salish Sea School, 2201 Skyline Way Unit 101, Anacortes, WA 98221, USACelebrate the holidays and a sustainable future for the sea by creating sea safe wrapping paper with The Salish Sea School Staff!
Nov 28, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PMGuemes Channel Trail, Guemes Channel Trail, Anacortes, WA 98221, USAJoin Salish Sea School staff and Skagit Audubon Society for a morning of birds and community during the best birding season in Skagit County - Winter!
Dec 05, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PMCap Sante Marina, 1019 Q Ave, Anacortes, WA 98221, USA**All Aboard the Santa Boat!** Join us **December 5** for a magical cruise through Guemes Channel during the Lighted Christmas Boat Parade! Santa will be onboard, so grab your Santa hat, bundle up, and help us spread holiday cheer! All ages welcome! Reservations required. Suggested donation: $65pp
Dec 11, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PMThe Salish Sea School, 2201 Skyline Way Unit 101, Anacortes, WA 98221, USASpend a fun evening in our adult specific luminary making workshop learning about the Southern Resident Orcas while making a luminary with friends and The Salish Sea School to bring to our Winter Solstice Luminaria Walk!
Dec 12, 2026, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PMThe Salish Sea School, 2201 Skyline Way Unit 101, Anacortes, WA 98221, USAJoin our Youth luminary making workshop to learn all about the world of Southern Resident Orcas and how to make a luminary for The Salish Sea School Winter Solstice Luminary Walk!
Dec 19, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PMThe Salish Sea School, 2201 Skyline Way Unit 101, Anacortes, WA 98221, USAJoin Salish Sea School specialist instructors in a multi-sensory rewilding walk to celebrate the winter solstice.
Dec 20, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PMSunset Beach, Sunset Beach, Anacortes, WA 98221, USAJoin us for a joyful community winter solstice luminaria walk honoring the Southern Resident orcas and all creatures of the Salish Sea.
Jan 16, 2027, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AMThe Salish Sea School, 2201 Skyline Way Unit 101, Anacortes, WA 98221, USAJoin Salish Sea School staff and guest speaker Paul Dinnel for a morning of coffee, donuts, and the story of how one small oyster is making a comeback in Fidalgo Bay.
Jan 21, 2027, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMThe Salish Sea School, 2201 Skyline Way Unit 101, Anacortes, WA 98221, USAJoin The Salish Sea School naturalists for an evening exploring low tide at Washington Park!
Feb 20, 2027, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AMThe Salish Sea School, 2201 Skyline Way Unit 101, Anacortes, WA 98221, USAJoin The Salish Sea School naturalist Kyra Ballas for a morning of coffee and learning about the natural and cultural history of the Salish Sea's coastal trees.
Mar 06, 2027, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AMAnacortes, Sunset Beach, Anacortes, WA 98221, USAPerfect for young learners, ignite a love of nature and scientific discovery in preschoolers through joyful, play-based exploration of the Salish Sea and its surrounding ecosystems.
