Equity Archives - Seattle Aquarium

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.

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.

Kelp, that’s all folks—the 2025 legislative session is over! Here’s our recap.

Posted on May 26, 2025May 30, 2025 by Emma Leiser

This session had a lot of long days, fast-moving advocacy efforts, and even some trips to Olympia. Check out what happened—in the imagined voices of some of our marine friends!

“I’m thrilled to announce that Washington has a new state symbol: me!”

“On April 16, Governor Ferguson signed HB 1631, officially designating bull kelp forests—aka me—as the marine forest of Washington. He also declared April 16, 2025, to be Bull Kelp Day and named one of the Aquarium’s Youth Ocean Advocates, who worked with Puget Sound Restoration Fund to come up with the idea for this bill, Washingtonian for a day!

Thanks to Representative Nance, who I’ve heard was a great ‘kelp’ and champion, this bill is a key step in acknowledging the importance of bull kelp forests and the critical role we play in the health of the Salish Sea.”

—Bull kelp forest

It’s critical to emphasize the importance of bull kelp right now because approximately 80% of bull kelp forests have disappeared, particularly in south and central Puget Sound. Check out our web story to learn more!

“That’s a ‘WRAP’ on plastic!”

“Jellyfish are some of my favorite snacks and let me tell you, if you think cold fries are a bummer, there’s nothing worse than chomping on a plastic bag. Or trying to lay my eggs in sand mixed with tiny pieces of plastic trash.

For the last five years, the ‘turtley’ awesome humans at the Seattle Aquarium have been working with rad environmental champions Representative Berry, Senator Lovelett and other partners to advocate for a bill that would help reduce plastic and other packaging materials. Previous versions of the bill, the WRAP Act and the ReWRAP Act, didn’t make it over the finish line—but the latest one, the Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284), finally passed the legislature!

This bill will ensure curbside recycling services for all Washingtonians—including the 11 jurisdictions currently without—and incentivize producers to use packaging that’s more recyclable, reusable or compostable. This is a big step in reducing plastic pollution so I, my friends and our families can swim, dive and snack safely. Truly time for a shell-ebration!”

—Sea turtle

In addition to sea turtles, hundreds of marine species—including whales, salmon and seals—ingest plastic pellets or become entangled in plastic. The Recycling Reform Act is an important step in reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean.

“You might’ve heard the phrase, ‘just keep swimming,’ but do you ever think about what you’re swimming in?”

“I sure do. To keep myself and my fellow salmon healthy, it’s important that the waterways we’re swimming, eating and reproducing in are clean and free of pollutants and toxics. And I hate to talk dirty about Washington, but hundreds of sewage spills occur across the state every year. I couldn’t read a spill alert—but even you humans aren’t getting notified, since information isn’t typically available when a spill has occurred.

That’s why I’m sending my best fishes, er, wishes, to the Aquarium’s policy team for helping to pass HB 1670, championed by Rep. Hunt and Sen. Slatter. As a result, there will be a public-facing website so humans can look up information about sewage spills to help improve transparency around human and environmental health. Now can someone teach me how to read?”

—Salmon

Salmon play a critical role in the health and functioning of their ecosystems. Even though their populations are relatively small, they impact the wellbeing of many other species and can serve as an indicator of the overall health of their habitats.

“You probably know that orcas like me breathe air, just like humans, but did you know that air pollution is bad for us, too?”

“And, while most things aren’t as black and white as I am, this issue is. Polluted air can lead to respiratory issues, which can lead to other health conditions. That’s why I’m so excited that the Aquarium has been supporting the CURB Act (HB 1303), which is led by Front & Centered and Rep. Mena. While it didn’t pass this session, we’re going to keep trying!

Unlike my tail, supporting this bill is no ‘fluke.’ This legislation would require environmental justice impact statements to evaluate environmental and public health risks as well as cumulative impacts on overburdened communities. People from such communities typically live about 2.5 years less than others. Some air pollutants are incredibly persistent and aren’t broken down easily, so they can accumulate and persist as they move through the food chain. Yep, you’re right; this is concerning for apex predators like me. That’s why this bill is important to the health of Puget Sound and everyone who depends on clean air—including marine mammals like yours truly!”

—Orca

Along with clean air and water, orcas need plenty of salmon to thrive. Learn more about the threats they face and how you can take action to make a difference on our Helping orcas webpage!

“Just like my sea turtle friends, sometimes I mistake human-made materials for food or natural materials.”

“I’m thrifty and I always have been. Finding different materials to help build my nest is a great way to create a cozy, safe home for my babies. I’m also thrifty when it comes to finding food, often looking for it on the beach as well as in the water. But it can be hard to tell what’s natural and what isn’t.

My feathers are all I need to look and feel good, so I can’t relate to the human need to buy so many clothes. But I do know that fashion waste, particularly fast fashion waste, is a big problem. It’s estimated that 100 billion pieces of clothing are manufactured each year and 35% of the materials in the fashion industry supply chain end up as waste¹, often in oceans and washed up on beaches.

HB 1107, championed by Rep. Mena, didn’t pass but will hopefully be reintroduced next session. It would require manufacturers to be more transparent about the impacts of their clothing—from chemicals in the materials to how unwanted and excess waste is managed.”

—Seabird

Despite their name, oysters aren’t the favorite food of black oystercatchers. They’re more often found eating mussels, chitons and limpets. Learn more on our webpage—then come see this beautiful species in person at the Aquarium!

Thanks to our imaginary marine pals for sharing their thoughts about the 2025 state legislative session. Interested in learning more about the Aquarium’s policy work—and opportunities to raise your voice in support of the marine environment? Visit our Influencing policy webpage.

¹ https://justoneocean.org/portfolio/the-fashion-industrys-impact-on-the-ocean

Students at Muckleshoot Tribal School name new octopus

Posted on October 7, 2024November 4, 2024 by Emma Leiser

One of the Seattle Aquarium’s newest residents weighs 20.5 pounds, sports eight arms and hails from the chilly waters of Neah Bay. She’s already helping visitors understand the importance of her species—the giant Pacific octopus—to local ecosystems.

The young octopus also has a special name—sqiqələč (skee-sku-luch)—that reflects the Aquarium’s place on traditional and contemporary Coast Salish land. sqiqələč means “baby octopus” in the Lushootseed language. The name was chosen by middle- and high-school students in a language and performing arts class at Muckleshoot Tribal School.

The Salish Sea is rich not only in biodiversity, but also in linguistic diversity. The language of the land and headwaters where the Aquarium resides is Lushootseed. As noted on the Muckleshoot Tribe’s website, “The Lushootseed language was nearly lost through the forced assimilation of the boarding school era beginning in the early 1890s. Today, Muckleshoot, as well as many other Coast Salish Tribes, are working to restore and preserve Lushootseed by developing robust language and culture programs that teach our youth and keep our Native language alive.”

In early 2024, Aquarium team members Malik Johnson and Kaitlin Brawley—who help care for giant Pacific octopuses—contacted the students’ teacher Teresa Allen about naming the octopus. The naming process reflects the Aquarium’s aim to further integrate more languages, stories, names, faces and knowledge of the Indigenous peoples we partner with throughout the region. Recent work has also included new signage in Lushootseed, the integration of Indigenous languages into Aquarium camp and youth curricula, presentations that highlight our relationship with Makah waters and other projects that amplify Indigenous languages and traditional ecological knowledge at the Aquarium.

Arrangements are being made for the Muckleshoot Tribal students to visit sqiqələč this fall. Like other giant Pacific octopuses, sqiqələč will live at the Aquarium temporarily. Aquarium divers carefully collect a certain number of octopuses with a special permit from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. They typically stay with us for around a year, and when they show signs that they’re mature and ready to mate, our divers return them to their original collection location so they can complete their life cycles and reproduce.

In August, the Aquarium and the Muckleshoot Tribe announced a new partnership to enrich cultural and marine science education work.

Seattle Aquarium’s commitment to anti-racism

Posted on July 26, 2021February 9, 2024 by Emma Leiser

The Seattle Aquarium is committed to continued diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) learning and practices, and to using our sphere of influence to actively oppose racism within our industry and communities of conservation. We are proud today to share with you our commitment to anti-racism, as well as some further information about our ongoing DEI work.

The Aquarium views diversity as a strength and recognizes that we can only achieve our mission by including the skills and varied perspectives of all people. In 2019, we formed a DEI Council to guide and support the application of time and resources to create an inclusive Aquarium culture across all dimensions of diversity. The purpose of the DEI Council is to bring staff at all levels together to define, prioritize, and implement actions that foster a welcoming and equitable culture that reflects the multiple dimensions of diversity within our community. Recently, the council finalized an anti-racism statement for the Seattle Aquarium that is shared on our website and among all staff and volunteers.

The Seattle Aquarium’s commitment to anti-racism:
The Seattle Aquarium respects and celebrates the vitality and strength of the ethnic and cultural diversity that thrives in our neighborhood and surrounding communities. We recognize that we can only achieve our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment by including the skills and varied perspectives of our entire community. To include the entire community, we must be a welcoming and inclusive organization making the conscious decision to identify and challenge racism daily. This requires on-going self-awareness and self-reflection as we move through our daily operations and plan for the future.

The Seattle Aquarium honors our location on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, who stewarded these lands and waters for generations and continue to do so today. As an organization striving to be anti-racist, we are making ourselves more aware of how racism has affected the lived experience of Black, Indigenous and People of Color and in what ways we are playing a role in those experiences. We know that racism is systemic and has been deeply ingrained in society throughout history. We understand that too many people knowingly and unknowingly participate in racism and perpetuate white-dominant norms. Using our sphere of influence the Seattle Aquarium is actively opposing racism within our industry and communities of conservation by committing to:

Facilitate mandatory in-house diversity, equity and inclusion workshops for all our staff.
Address internalized racial and implicit biases.
Commit to be a learning community that identifies, implements, and adapts best practices on how to create a welcoming and inclusive space for Black, Indigenous and People of Color staff, volunteers and guests.
Actively continue to evaluate and implement more inclusive hiring practices, as well as retention and promotion strategies, with the goal of our workforce representing the diverse community in which we are located.
Operate an institutionalized, sustainable DEI Council with the authority to guide and support the Aquarium in the application of time and resources to create an inclusive culture.

These commitments, while not an exclusive list, represent the Aquarium’s commitment to continued diversity, equity and inclusion learning and practices. The DEI work currently underway at the Seattle Aquarium is grappling with the unconscious perpetuation of inequity and reinforcement of stereotypes and implicit, or unconscious, bias. The Aquarium is currently creating a DEI strategic plan that will guide our next steps as we continue to evaluate our organization through an anti-racist and inclusive lens.

We know that there is more work to do and we are hopeful that through institutionalized, sustainable, action-oriented systems we will keep moving forward to the inclusive, anti-racist organization we strive to be. We will continue to share updates as we continue this work and we thank you for being part of the journey with us.