Seattle Aquarium

Tired of doomscrolling? Try kelp scrolling!

Posted on March 26, 2026March 23, 2026 by Emma Leiser

We all spend a lot of time on our phones these days. But what if that screen time could help kelp forests?

Welcome to Kelp Quest, a chance for you to participate in the Seattle Aquarium’s marine research.

First, a little refresher. Kelp is a type of algae that provides critical food and habitats to many animal species, including sea otters and salmon. Kelp is also disappearing at an alarming rate. Figuring out how to reverse kelp’s decline is so important that the Aquarium has a research team dedicated to protecting kelp forests. Our Coastal Climate Resilience (CCR) team studies the conditions that contribute to bull kelp thriving or declining in certain areas of the local seafloor, and we share all our research publicly to inform action to protect kelp forests.

The Aquarium’s research team collects images of the seafloor—and we need your help to sort through the data!

You might be familiar with the Aquarium’s remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Our CCR team has used two of these relatively lightweight and nimble vehicles to take tens of thousands of images of the seafloor. The team has trained a machine-learning model to identify the animals, algae, objects and seafloor found in our massive library of images.

Models like the one we are designed for maximum efficiency and low computational cost. These types of models have been around since the 1950s and are frequently used in scientific and environmental research to find patterns in large sets of data. But the Aquarium’s model is still learning and makes mistakes.

That’s where you come in! Anyone with access to the internet can contribute to Kelp Quest by reviewing and interacting with the collected images.

Diving into Kelp Quest

“None of us were born as kelp experts. We all learned through exposure to animals and algae. This approach leverages our natural ability to recognize details and patterns while supporting ocean conservation.”

—Research Scientist Megan Williams

There are two ways to help. In the “Yes/No” workflow, you can confirm or refute the model’s guess of what is pictured in the image. And in the “Multiple Choice” workflow, you’ll label the image yourself.

Examples of the types of images you’ll help sort.

Don’t worry if you’re no marine expert! The CCR team has developed a handy “Field Guide” that goes over all sorts of things you might encounter, from kelp and other algae to rocks and car tires. The CCR team is also very active in the project’s “Talk” forum, where volunteers can discuss interesting findings or troubleshoot hard-to-identify images.

By helping label these images, not only are you supporting this project, but you’re also helping train our model to be more accurate, further supporting future marine research.

Science is a team sport

“We really want to make our research as collaborative as possible to boost kelp forest conservation efforts. The more hands we have on this project, the faster we can uncover ecological insights that will better inform conservation."

—Research Technician Reid Thomson

Kelp Quest is hosted on Zooniverse, a platform built around the idea that many people (including those with no formal training) can collaborate on research projects together. Many of the projects on Zooniverse require going through large amounts of data, something that would take small research teams ages, even with computer assistance.

But with nearly three million registered volunteers around the world, that work can be done much quicker. And as Zooniverse itself points out, humans are uniquely good at pattern recognition, often even better than computers, as is the case in Kelp Quest.

As an open-source and open-access research project, Kelp Quest is set up in a way that supports the idea that science is a team sport. Open source means the computer code we use to run the model is publicly available for anyone to use and improve. And open access means we make the results of our research (including the model) publicly available whenever possible.

We make our findings available to help promote kelp conservation and further research.

In keeping the project open like this, the CCR team hopes to encourage collaboration and transparency in their work. One of the unexpected benefits to this is that some volunteers have already reached out to get involved with the project or to suggest ways to improve it.

Salish Sea superstar

“Kelp forests and the species that rely on them are beautiful, ecologically important and increasingly vulnerable to human impacts and climate change. We hope Kelp Quest will connect people to this underwater world while directly contributing to research and management decisions that advance kelp forest conservation and restoration.”

—Senior Research Scientist Dr. Zachary Randell, Ph.D.

At the core of this research is the question: What factors contribute to kelp forests thriving or declining?

Bull kelp is a key player in many of the Pacific Northwest’s nearshore ecosystems.

And that’s an important question when it comes to Puget Sound’s marine ecosystem. Like the coral reefs found in warm waters, kelp forests are hotbeds of biodiversity. They serve as habitats for many species, including nurseries for young salmon and rockfish.

These mighty undersea forests also protect shorelines and enrich coastal communities. And the Pacific Northwest’s Indigenous communities have used kelp and stewarded coastal ecosystems since time immemorial.

Whenever you engage with the Seattle Aquarium, be it online or in person with a visit, you directly support vital marine conservation work. Talk about being “kelpful!”

Meet the team

Want to know more about the dedicated scientists leading the project? Read on!

(From left to right) Megan Williams, Reid Thomson and Zachary Randell conduct field research in Seattle’s Elliott Bay.

Dr. Zachary Randell, Ph.D.

Senior research scientist

Zach grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and started scuba diving there when he was 15. His passion for ocean exploration led him to pursue scientific scuba diving at the University of California, Santa Cruz and complete a dissertation at Oregon State University, focusing on long-term kelp forest dynamics, underwater experimentation and dynamical modeling. He has always been eager to explore underwater, and this project allows him and his team to use cutting-edge ROVs and data analysis to study the ocean in new ways.

Megan Williams, M.S.

Research scientist

Megan grew up in Seattle, where sailing and exploring tide pools fostered an early appreciation for the beauty of Puget Sound. That connection to the marine environment led her to James Cook University in Australia, where she studied how coastal ecosystems respond to change. She has played a key role in advancing the CCR team’s spatial analysis and machine learning work and brings a strong field perspective to the team. She remains inspired by Washington’s rugged, green waters and is committed to protecting the natural places that shaped her life for future generations.

Reid Thomson, B.S.

Research technician

Despite his upbringing in the Midwest, Reid developed an unwavering passion for marine life at an early age. Summers spent constantly in and around lakes and streams fused with a love of nature documentaries to drive his fascination with the mysteries held by even larger bodies of water. Reid’s curiosity led him to pursue a degree in marine science at Boston University, where he refined his passion toward a career in marine research. He has a particular fondness for fieldwork that helps him explore Washington’s beautiful, rugged coast.

Quiz: How much do you know about plastics in the ocean?

Posted on March 18, 2026March 17, 2026 by Emma Leiser

Youth Ocean Advocates join Lobby Day in Olympia

Posted on February 13, 2026February 13, 2026 by Emma Leiser

On January 19, our Youth Ocean Advocates (also known as YOAs) teen volunteers traveled to Olympia to join the Seattle Aquarium and its partners in the Plastic Free Washington coalition for Lobby Day, advocating for policies that would reduce plastics in our environment. Nearly 70 Washingtonians joined to discuss with legislators how bills like the amended plastic bag ban (HB 2233/SB 5965) and the Recycling Refunds Act (HB 1607/SB 5502) will reduce waste and marine plastic pollution.

YOAs on the steps of the state Capitol Building.

HB 2233/SB 5965: Closing a loophole for plastic bags

Plastic bags are a major source of litter and pollution in our ocean. Washingtonians use nearly two billion plastic bags every year (yes, that’s billions, with a “b”)! In 2020, Washington passed a bill eliminating single-use, thin plastic bags. The amended plastic bag ban would close a loophole and ban all plastic bags, including the thicker “reusable” plastic bags often provided at grocery store checkouts or for restaurant to-go orders.

HB 1607/SB 5502: Refunds for container recycling

Like plastic bags, beverage containers are a major source of pollution along our highways and in our waterways. The Recycling Refunds Act (also known as the Bottle Bill) would improve recycling rates of beverage containers, with evidence from Oregon and British Columbia suggesting an 80–90% increase! Consumers would pay a 10-cent deposit on most beverage containers, which would be refunded when they bring their containers to convenient drop-off locations. Beverage brands would form a “producer responsibility organization” (PRO) to fund and implement the program. The PRO will cover 100% of the state’s costs, including oversight, administration, education and enforcement.

Power of the people—and YOAs

Volunteers organized over 30 meetings with state legislators to encourage support of the priority bills addressing plastic pollution, like the two mentioned above. Together, 12 YOAs attended 15 meetings. YOA Vasilisa said, “I learned a bit more about the process of advocacy, how laws are created and how constituents can communicate with their respective [state] representatives. I attended because I was curious about this process [policy advocacy] and wanted to help contribute to the Aquarium/Puget Sound and its animals as much as possible.”

YOAs got an opportunity to meet legislators and speak about their passion for the marine environment and their personal reasons for wanting to pass the Bottle Bill and the amended plastic bag ban. In one meeting with a state senator, YOA Alex was asked how her work impacted the world, a question she wasn’t expecting. After some thought, she replied, “I do not think there is a single visitor who leaves the Aquarium without loving the ocean a little more.” Later, further reflecting on the senator’s question, she realized that, while she can’t remove all the plastic pollution from the ocean or all the toxics in the Salish Sea, she can reach the hearts of visitors in her talks and interactions. She notices, “the eyes of a 6-year-old widen, an introspective tilt of the head, or a teenager look down to hide their wonder. This moment where, to them, the world gets a little bigger. The senator himself experienced this…leaning back in his chair, peering through his glasses, seeing not us, but the adoration and respect we have for the marine world. This is inspiring marine conservation.”

YOAs raising their voices at the rally at Lobby Day on January 19.

More YOA highlights from Lobby Day

In addition to meetings with legislators, YOAs attended a public hearing in the House Environment & Energy committee. One of the bills in the hearing would ban 6PPD, a tire chemical that becomes 6PPD-Q, a chemical that’s highly toxic and lethal to salmon, particularly coho salmon. Four YOAs were brave enough to testify in support of the bill, signing up and preparing testimony on their own. Their testimonies were met with appreciation from the committee, and they met the bill sponsor, Representative Zach Hall (District 5). YOA Sid, reflecting on his decision to attend Lobby Day and his experience testifying said, “I attended because I care deeply about conservation and environmental policy. Healthy ecosystems support both people and wildlife, and I feel a responsibility to speak up when preventable pollution threatens that balance. Once I started speaking, my nerves settled, and I felt proud to share the science and the real risks to salmon and water quality. Overall, the experience strengthened my confidence and made me even more committed to conservation and policy work.”

The YOAs also attended a rally, where they heard from Representative Lisa Parshley (sponsor of the House version of the amended bag ban), who shared her passion for tackling plastic pollution and her appreciation for those who spent their day advocating for the bill. They also attended a tour of the Capitol Building, learning about the history and design, followed by a quick trip to the gift shop, where, so we’ve heard, some marine stuffed animals were purchased as mementos of the trip by a few of the YOAs.

Handmade signs help amplify the message.

Get involved!

Learn more about our 2026 legislative priorities and how you can help advocate for our marine environment at the state and federal levels. You can also get notified about action opportunities by signing up for our policy action alerts.

If you or a high schooler you know wants to participate in advocacy opportunities like the ones described in this story, please go to the YOA webpage for more information. Recruitment for the new cohort of Seattle Aquarium Youth Ocean Advocates begins with orientation sessions in March.

Quiz: Are you a Sounder gray whale?

Posted on February 10, 2026February 10, 2026 by Emma Leiser

Seeing green: spotlight on the Aquarium’s recent regenerative work

Posted on February 4, 2026March 19, 2026 by Emma Leiser

From taking public transportation to taking shorter showers, the choices we make every day impact our one shared ocean. The Seattle Aquarium participates enthusiastically in that work. We’re committed to being a regenerative aquarium—one that gives back more to the environment than we take from it. We use our regenerative plan as a guide in this work.

This past year, the Aquarium made some exciting changes that allow us to operate our campus more sustainably—all while maintaining the highest quality of care for the animals here. From lowering our seawater usage to investments in renewable energy, read on to learn about this thrilling work.

The Seattle Aquarium sources its seawater from Elliott Bay right below Piers 59 and 60.

Quenching the thirst for seawater

Seawater may look abundant on our beautiful blue planet, but just like all other natural resources, it has to be handled with care.

The Seattle Aquarium has the unique ability to source the seawater for our habitats from Elliott Bay. For the habitats in Piers 59 and 60, which house animals native to the Salish Sea, water comes in from Elliott Bay, is treated, flows through the habitats and then back out to the bay.

This past year, our staff began gradually experimenting with reducing how much seawater enters our habitats. After every reduction, the water quality and animals in each habitat were carefully monitored for any changes in wellbeing. So far, we’ve managed to reduce seawater usage across the piers by about 24%.

Flow improvements in Window on Washington Waters and other habitats contributed to strong reductions in seawater usage.

Less seawater pumping means less electricity usage—a serious regenerative win. And it also puts less stress on the pumping equipment, which means it will likely last longer.

And the project has allowed our teams to get a better understanding of the actual needs of our habitats, which means we can also be more accurate and resilient when planning for emergencies.

Oxygen concentrator: a breath of fresh air

Did you know the amount of oxygen in seawater naturally fluctuates throughout the year? But the oxygen needs of our animal population remain the same. So, we often have to supplement the water with more oxygen.

For the past several years, the Aquarium has used large cylinders of liquid oxygen for this task. They work fine, but our team noticed some ways the system could use improvements. For one, the Aquarium empties oxygen tanks and receives replacements on a weekly basis, the transportation of which results in greenhouse gas emissions.

Enter, the oxygen concentrator. This machine works by taking in normal, everyday air and isolating the oxygen, filtering out nitrogen and other gases. That oxygen is then added into the Aquarium’s water and flows through our habitats.

The oxygen concentrator installed in Pier 59 allows us to more efficiently and accurately adjust oxygen levels in the water of our habitats.

Unlike the liquid oxygen tanks, which require human monitoring and intervention, the oxygen concentrator has a sensor and can automatically adjust its output levels to meet the habitats’ needs in real time and to consistently maintain optimal oxygen levels 24/7.

The oxygen concentrator is currently in use for the water that goes to Pier 59’s Window on Washington Waters, Crashing Waves and most of Life on the Edge. The team facilitating the changes—led by Senior Water Quality Specialist Juliette Mason and Regenerative Manager and Life Support Technician II Travis Snyder—is looking forward to expanding the project in 2026 to reach the piers’ other habitats.

Senior Water Quality Specialist Juliette Mason (left) and Regenerative Manager and Life Support Technician II Travis Snyder lead the oxygen concentrator project.

Because the Ocean Pavilion is a closed-loop system, it operates with a water treatment system that maintains oxygen levels as the water recirculates, so an oxygen concentrator isn’t necessary there.

A powerful investment in renewable energy

In 2025, the Seattle Aquarium signed a power purchase agreement with Seattle City Light. Essentially, this means we agree to purchase solar power from a newly built facility to replace our current electrical use, thus adding additional renewable energy capacity to the local electric grid. The agreement is scheduled to go into effect soon and last for 15 years.

This power purchase agreement represents one step in our regenerative journey. In past years, the Aquarium has done a lot of work to more sustainably run our campus, from designing the Ocean Pavilion to be fossil fuel free to making changes in Pier 59 that dramatically reduced our natural gas usage.

To engage in regenerative work is to live focused on the future. And with a team full of dedicated conservationists supported by our thoughtful community, the future of sustainability is looking bright at the Seattle Aquarium. Follow along with our progress on our Sustainability page!

Quiz: Which 2026 Washington bill best matches your conservation priorities?

Posted on January 22, 2026January 22, 2026 by Emma Leiser

Living history: The Muckleshoot Tribe, canoes and the Salish Sea

Posted on January 14, 2026January 14, 2026 by Emma Leiser

There’s something new to discover on the Ocean Pavilion’s public rooftop—that is, in addition to the native plantings and sandblasted images designed by, respectively, traditional ecological knowledge-keeper Valerie Segrest (Muckleshoot) and Owen Oliver (Quinault/Isleta Pueblo).

A recently installed sign offers an overview of the types of canoes used by members of the Muckleshoot Tribe to traverse the waters of the Salish Sea—and beyond—for thousands of years, as well as a glimpse into the importance and tradition of canoe culture.

The newly installed sign anchors stunning views of the Salish Sea from the Ocean Pavilion’s rooftop.

The placement of the sign on the rooftop is intentional. As Muckleshoot Tribal Council Chair Jaison Elkins noted upon the announcement of our partnership with the Tribe in 2024, “This partnership reflects the Tribe’s deep connection to the Seattle waterfront where our ancestors celebrated the return of the salmon since time immemorial.”

To learn more about the history and significance of q̓il̕bid (“canoe” in the Muckleshoot language) culture, we recently spoke with several members of the Muckleshoot Tribe, who generously shared their thoughts with us.

Q: Can you tell us more about the Tribe’s history of traveling by water?

A: “Traveling by water was how we would get around, and I was told that’s why we have our paddle songs. When we would visit other tribes, we would sing so that they would hear us and the tribes would know who we were by which song we were singing.”
—Salena Jackson, Performance and Regalia Specialist

Eagle Spirit on the Canoe Journey leaving Lummi Island, headed for Samish Island. Photo courtesy of Adrian Markantonatos.

Q: The new sign features seven types of canoes, each with a specific purpose. What does that range say about the Tribe’s connection to water? How has that connection shifted over time?

A: “The variety of canoes speaks to the significant relationship we have, and historically have had, with water and the waterways. Just like how you’ll see different types of vehicles driving down the highway, each with a specific purpose—those waterways were our traditional highways, so in the same way, there would be a dynamic range of canoe styles.

We’ve lived in this area for thousands of years in such close proximity to the water, that it made sense to travel this way. It’s even reflected in our language—directions are given in relation to where the water is. As for the shift, we’ve seen a lot of changes but we’ve also held onto parts of our identity—one of those being our relationship with the water.”
—Sam Obrovac, Cultural Arts Coordinator, Muckleshoot Tribe

Muckleshoot carving team and Adult Work Training Program participants working on a cedar-strip canoe to give away at Canoe Journey 2023, Muckleshoot, Auburn, Washington. Photo courtesy of Sam Obrovac.

Q: The sign notes that the canoes are considered to be living beings. Can you tell us more about that?

A: “We treat the canoes like they’re living; we give them names that fit them because the canoes have a spirit. We introduce ourselves to them when we get on, and I’ve had a lot of conversations with those canoes. I talk to them just like a person. They’re like our babies; we take care of them and they care of us. Just like a newcomer in a family—the new canoes are our babies, and they go through cycles in their lives. Our new canoe, tubšedad, has a mind of his own.”
—Autumn MaGee, Canoe Family Manager

Napolean Ross blessing a shovel-nose canoe on the Green River.

Q: What else would you like people to know/understand about the Muckleshoot Tribe’s q̓il̕bid (canoe) traditions?

A: “This is how we hunted, this is how we fished, this is how we lived—reconnecting with that way of life is contagious and it keeps growing. Being out on the water and hearing those strokes, hearing the animals, hearing the water—that’s my peace.”
—Corey Ward-Jerry, Cultural Food Specialist

Canoe practice on Eagle Spirit at Gene Coulon Park, Renton, Washington. Photo courtesy of Corey Ward-Jerry.

Q: What opportunities do you see through the Tribe’s partnership with the Seattle Aquarium?

A: “I see a lot of learning opportunities for our youth to engage with this field of knowledge—having them potentially lead into careers in marine biology, or even just connecting with their natural environment. The idea that what we do affects the rest of the world and how we have to take care of the water.”
—Stephanie James, Culture Program Director

“Our ancestors tended to this land and defended this land. They have given us strength and wisdom, which empower us to continue inhabiting and caring for our lands while gathering resources, traveling the Salish Sea and fishing these waters. We are resilient; we are Muckleshoot.”

—Muckleshoot Tribe

We thank Salena, Sam, Autumn, Corey and Stephanie for contributing their wisdom and perspectives—as well as Sam, who closed with these beautiful words: “Witnessing this cultural resurgence, back to our Salish customs and identities, is a beautiful thing. It really is healing and powerful to see, and there are lots of additional people to thank who either held onto knowledge or went out and got it to share with the rest of us.”

To learn more, visit the Muckleshoot Tribe website and explore the collection of videos related to the annual Canoe Journey. Then, plan a visit to the Seattle Aquarium and make a stop on the rooftop to see the new sign. While you’re there, take a moment to gaze out at the waters of the Salish Sea and imagine the many generations of canoes that have crossed its waters.

Quiz: Which Aquarium otter is your alter ego?

Posted on January 13, 2026January 14, 2026 by Emma Leiser

Getting to know Ruby, the new southern sea otter in our care

Posted on December 19, 2025December 19, 2025 by Emma Leiser

Have you heard the news? The northern sea otters in our care, Mishka and Sekiu, have a new habitat-mate! Ten-year-old southern sea otter Ruby joined us on November 19, moving from her former home at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA).

Welcome, Ruby!

Starting (very) small

Ruby was found, stranded, as a newborn pup in September of 2015. Weighing just 1.9 pounds, she was one of the smallest pups her rescuers had ever seen.

She was raised behind the scenes at MBA in their sea otter surrogacy program. After several attempts at having her live on her own in the wild, the team at MBA found that she had become dependent on humans for food. She was ultimately deemed non-releasable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and went on to join MBA’s sea otter habitat in 2022—where she charmed guests and became a beloved ambassador for her species.

Ruby getting to know her new habitat at the Seattle Aquarium.

From Monterey to Seattle: A true west coaster

For months, our care team worked closely with MBA’s, shadowing their care of Ruby, learning about her history, likes and dislikes, social needs and more. Collaboratively, the teams decided that our otter population would be a great fit for her.

As we mentioned above, Ruby is the first southern sea otter in our care. Southern sea otters are considered a distinct population. And, while southern and northern otters don’t share wild habitats, they do happily cohabitate in zoos and aquariums—their care needs are identical.

(What’s the difference between northern and southern sea otters? It basically comes down to two things: their range and their size. Northern sea otters have a range from Washington state to British Columbia and Alaska. Southern sea otters are found in California. And northern sea otters are larger, with males weighing up to 100 pounds and females up to 70—while southern males top out at about 65 pounds with females around 45 pounds. For context, Ruby’s current weight is 44 pounds; with Mishka at 50 and Sekiu at 54.)

Ruby relaxing with Sekiu.

Settling in

After making the journey to the Seattle Aquarium on November 19, Ruby was quickly introduced to her new habitat—and then to Mishka and Sekiu. In short, things have been going swimmingly!

Comments Senior Animal Care Specialist Kelli Lee, “When introducing an animal into a new habitat, we expect them to be active and explore every inch. After they’ve had a chance to check out their space, we look for behaviors that show they’re comfortable, such as resting and eating. For sea otters specifically, we also look to see that they’re grooming, since that’s essential for staying warm.” (Learn more about how amazing sea otter fur is on our sea otter webpage!)

Kelli continues, “When introducing sea otters, we expect them to interact with each other by sniffing each other’s faces and heads. Then, after this typically brief interlude, we continue to make sure they’re all grooming, eating and resting.”

“They’ve been cohabitating well,” says Animal Care Specialist Michelle Munoz. “Ruby tends to follow Sekiu the most. You can see her resting with Sekiu in the main habitat, and at night, Mishka and Sekiu will haul out on deck by their mats, so Ruby will join them.”

Ruby, we’re so glad you’re here!

Welcome to the Emerald City, Ruby!

Ruby’s preferences quickly became clear to her caregivers. Notes Kelli, “Ruby enjoys interacting with enrichment, such as puzzle feeders, a lot. Her favorite food is shrimp and her least favorites are surf clam siphons and stomachs.” (Can you blame her?)

She adds, “When spending time outside of feeding sessions, she likes to rest in areas of the water that are shallow, such as the arch between the two habitats.” Want to see what she’s up to? Check out our live webcam!

In the weeks and months to come, we’ll continue working with MBA as we learn more about Ruby. “Getting her comfortable in the space is our priority so she can do all the things a sea otter does—like grooming and eating,” comments Michelle. “Building a relationship with Ruby will help us work with her in the long run and also allows us to start training new behaviors with her!”

A decades-long commitment to sea otter conservation

For 30+ years, the Seattle Aquarium has led in the research of sea otters in Washington and contributed to recovery efforts with partners and collaborators around the world. We also have a long history of caring for individual northern sea otters who are unable to live in the wild.

Ruby’s arrival represents our continued commitment to sustaining and recovering sea otters, from California to Alaska and beyond. As a nonprofit, this work—both in the field and right here at the Aquarium—is only possible thanks to the support of our community. Every visit to the Aquarium supports this work and our conservation mission overall. We thank you!

We can’t wait for you to meet Ruby. Plan your visit today!

Marine ink-spiration: Tattoos of the Seattle Aquarium, part 4—volunteer edition II

Posted on November 17, 2025November 12, 2025 by Emma Leiser

We recently introduced you to three amazing Seattle Aquarium volunteers who show their connection to the marine environment with meaningful tattoos. The story was so nice that we’re doing it twice—we’re back with three more fascinating folks who graciously agreed to share the stories behind their ink.

Without further ado, please meet Chelsea, Chris and Taylor! And if you haven’t already checked out earlier installments of this ongoing series, we invite you to explore part 1, part 2 and part 3.

“I feel like I'm in the right place at the right time, doing the best I can with what I have. That applies to being at the Aquarium, being in my work and being in the sea. It's like a Venn diagram of those.”

—Chelsea “Chelseal” Lee (she/her)

I got my seal of approval last year. He’s positioned so that when I give a thumbs up, he gives one too.

I’m an open-water swimmer—unassisted, which means no wetsuit, flippers or paddles. Just a swimsuit. I train at Alki Beach and seals swim along with me all the time. I always introduce myself and let them know I’m here to respect their space, not cross any boundaries between wild animals and something I want to hug.

I did my first marathon swim in 2021, in Sitka, Alaska. There’s a doctor at that event and she was amazed because it had taken me almost four hours but I wasn’t cold at the end. She said, ‘How are you not freezing? I think you might be a seal person.’ She started calling me Chelseal and it kinda stuck.

It’s been such a beautiful journey to build a relationship with the Salish Sea. I was born on the south coast of South Korea, adopted by white people and raised in Minnesota—just about as far from the ocean as you could be. But I always felt like it was calling me back. The first time I went in, I thought, ‘Ohh, this is what home feels like.’

I work for a nonprofit doing policy and systems change advocacy around affordable housing, community spaces and equitable access to public transportation. One thing that I talk about with people at the Aquarium, my conservation message, is the ability to coexist.

If you look at the animals in The Reef at the Ocean Pavilion, everybody’s able to coexist because they’re all getting their needs met. And when I talk about that with visitors, I bring in my work life and say, ‘Imagine if we did that for people.’ I hope that I’m planting a seed with that.

—Chelsea “Chelseal” Lee (she/her)
Tattoo by Berger, @wizardcitytattoo

“I realized that you don't have to work in this field to still be at the Aquarium and be a valued member of the community.”

—Chris Fitch (he/him)

I’ve lived in Seattle, close to the water, my whole life. When I was a kid, we’d go to a cabin that my grandpa built on the Oregon coast every summer. That’s where I learned about tide pooling, one of my favorite pastimes.

Going into college, I wanted to be a marine biologist. I started taking chemistry but it just doesn’t work for me. Then I learned about the pastry program at Seattle Central. I’d always been a fan of baking, so I went for it. Now I work at a bakery and I’ve been volunteering at the Aquarium for over a year.

I mainly volunteer at the touch pools. I love all the animals. It’s like tide pooling, but indoors and a bit more static. Working with kids is the best, especially the occasional 6-year-old who knows more than I do. It’s fun to talk with them as their parent tries to follow along while we’re both having a great time.

The people on my shift are always looking for nudibranchs, and it’s amazing when we find them together. It’s also cool for guests to see that there are animals here that surprise us—that it’s a living environment and we’re not controlling every single thing.

The lobster was my first unplanned tattoo. I went to L.A. to get a sandhill crane from an artist down there but she had to cancel. I was really bummed and went to Aquarium of the Pacific to make myself feel better. The lobsters made a big impression on me.

Later that day, an artist popped up on my feed who had done a spiny lobster* before. He was nearby and could get me in right away. It went from not working out to me having this great tattoo inspired by the lobsters at Aquarium of the Pacific. Lucky.

—Chris Fitch (he/him)
Tattoo by Noah Fox, Boartooth Tattoo, Culver City, CA, @noahfoxtattoo

*Editor’s note: Curious about what a Pacific spiny lobster looks like in real life? Visit our Ocean Pavilion!

“I stopped eating king and Chinook salmon when I learned about the low population of the southern resident orcas. I’ll still eat other kinds but not those. I want to save them for our residents.”

—Taylor Welch (she/her)

I’ve always been a huge animal person. I love orcas—just love how pretty they are. My grandma has a vacation home on Whidbey Island and every time there’s an orca sighting, she texts to tell me. It’s always the day after I leave. But I was actually here at the Aquarium for an orca sighting in Elliott Bay last spring. It was my first time seeing them in the wild after living in Seattle for 33 years.

I’ve been volunteering here for seven years and I’m still learning new things about some of the animals. I’m trying to do all the habitats, but I mostly like to be near the touch pools.

I love interacting with the guests. My favorite part is telling them about the sea cucumbers because they’re the vacuum cleaners of the ocean floor and they poop out clean sand, which kids love learning. I say, ‘Thank the sea cucumbers because this is their ecosystem and they’re doing us all a favor.’

I also assist with the volunteer program, doing interviews with potential new volunteers. I look for people with great energy. We talk about why they want to volunteer—some want to share their knowledge, others want to give back to the community, some just want to do something fun. We have a very unique ecosystem here and it’s cool when people want to get involved, help other people learn about it.

I graduated from UW two years ago, in environmental studies. I’ve been working part-time in the Gift Shop since then and I’m hoping to find a full-time job at the Aquarium. I’d love to do an outreach education program or be a marine interpreter supervisor here someday.

—Taylor Welch (she/her)
Tattoo by @dannychantattooseattle

We thank Chelsea, Chris and Taylor for sharing their stories with us—and all the volunteers who generously give their time in support of our conservation mission.

Seattle Aquarium volunteers share their knowledge and enthusiasm with our guests, help prepare meals of sustainable seafood for the animals in our care, dive in our habitats, meet members of the public on local shorelines and much more. Interested in learning about the program and potentially becoming a volunteer yourself? Check out our website!