Science Monitoring
The health of our shared land and living inhabitants depends on gathering good data. We gather that data in partnership with many collaborators across the Pacific Northwest — including folks like you!
All Our Monitoring Programs
Participatory Science (formally citizen science) is a great way for the public to participate in research to increase scientific knowledge. Many of the Harbor WildWatch Monitoring Projects rely on efforts from folks just like you. Some require training in advance. All of them are vital to tracking the health of our shared space. Email Stena@harborwildwatch.org for more information.
Water Quality Monitoring
May–September
Blue Water Task Force — Monthly sampling helps keep the public informed about possible issues with harmful bacteria to raise awareness of local pollution problems and to bring together communities to implement solutions.
Collaboration with
South Sound Surfrider Foundation,
Science and Math Institute,
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
Beach Monitoring
May–June & December–January (view available events)
Beach Monitoring is a program that you can participate in to help Harbor WildWatch collect meaningful biodiversity data at South Sound beaches.
Data portal coming soon!
Collaboration with
Pacific Lutheran University adapted from WSU Beach Watchers
Sea Star Wasting Survey
May–June & December–January
Community science groups can collect sea star population data using the MARINe sampling methods to count and measure sea stars and assess condition in terms of sea star wasting disease.
Collaboration with
UC Santa Cruz
Eelgrass Monitoring
By measuring the percent cover of eelgrass and density of live shoots in conjunction with our biannual beach monitoring, we can better understand the presence of native eelgrass.
Data portal coming soon!
Collaboration with
Shoreline Monitoring Toolbox
European Green Crab Molt Monitoring
Year Round
Molt Search is a new volunteer-based early detection program for invasive European green crabs threatening the Salish Sea.
Collaboration with
WSG Crab Team and WSU
Nearshore Fish Survey
May–June
You can join Harbor WildWatch to collect nearshore fish population data. Using a seine; we collect, identify, count, and release fish species collected in conjunction with summer beach monitoring programs.
Data portal coming soon!
Collaboration with
Pacific Lutheran University
Young-of-Year Rockfish Survey
Year Round
Rockfishes in Puget Sound have been depleted through overfishing and habitat loss. Community scientists can use SCUBA to expand rockfish surveys and provide a better understanding of rockfish recruitment by counting juvenile rockfish.
Collaboration with
Paua Marine Research Group,
Tacoma SCUBA, and NOAA
Salmon Observation Station
November
The Salmon Observation Station is a community opportunity to record your observations of salmon in Gig Harbor’s Donkey Creek.
Forage Fish Survey
Monthly
Surveying for forage fish eggs at Kopachuck State Park and DeMolay Sand Spit help us understand how the removal of a seawall can impact critical forage fish species.
Collaboration with
Pacific Lutheran University,
WDFW & Pierce Conservation District
Mussel Watch
Winter
Washington State Mussel Watch engages community science volunteers to evaluate the geographic extent and magnitude of contamination in the water of the Puget Sound nearshore environment using mussels.
View Biomonitoring Contaminants Story Map »
Collaboration with
Washington Department Fish & Wildlife
Puget Sound Seabird Survey
Monthly, October–April
Harbor WildWatch volunteers survey two sites on the Purdy Sand Spit, out of the 175 sites monitored by volunteers throughout the Salish Sea to generate critical about seabird population dynamics across our coastal waters.
Collaboration with
Puget Sound Bird Observatory