Volunteer Archives - Seattle Aquarium

Kelp—It needs somebody (preferably a Youth Ocean Advocate!)

Posted on March 21, 2025March 21, 2025 by Emma Leiser

Kelp forests play an integral role in Puget Sound’s ecosystem. Washington state is home to 22 species of kelp—more than anywhere else in the world apart from Japan. Bull kelp is the most prolific species, easily identifiable from its size: the stalk, called a “stipe,” can reach up to 100 feet (30 meters) tall.

Underwater forests formed by bull kelp are important parts of the West Coast’s ecosystem, and they are hotspots of biodiversity. They provide food and shelter for other species, including many with whom we humans interact and benefit, like salmon and pinto abalone.

Bull kelp is not only beautiful—It provides food and shelter to many beloved local marine species. Join our Youth Ocean Advocates and partners in their quest to make bull kelp forests the official marine forest of Washington state.

A bill to help bull kelp

A Seattle Aquarium Youth Ocean Advocate, Sebastian, developed the idea for House Bill 1631 in consultation with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund. This bill, championed and sponsored by State Representative Greg Nance (23rd district) and currently under consideration in the state legislature, would designate bull kelp forests the official marine forest of Washington. State symbol bills are a fun way to raise awareness about features of our state—often flora and fauna—that are important to Washingtonians.

It’s critical to emphasize the importance of bull kelp right now because approximately 80% of bull kelp forests have disappeared, particularly in the south and central Puget Sound. While we’re still learning more about the threats to bull kelp (as well as other kelp and eelgrass species), warming water temperatures, ocean acidification and nearshore development have significantly contributed to its decline.

Sebastian was inspired to educate more people about the importance of bull kelp forests.

"These underwater ‘forests’ are so special to me because their lives hold up countless other lives, from humans like us, to salmon, orcas, pinto abalone and many more."

—Sebastian, Seattle Aquarium Youth Ocean Advocate

“But unfortunately, bull kelp (like other amazing species) is in dire need of help,” Sebastian says. It’s true—most people don’t know about the critical importance bull kelp forests play in the health of the Salish Sea. Bull kelp forests provide resting and foraging grounds for migrating salmon and even help sea otter moms avoid losing their pups, as they tether the pups to the bull kelp while they forage for food.

Left to right: Jodie Toft of Puget Sound Restoration Fund, Youth Ocean Advocate Sebastian and Miguela Marzolf of the Aquarium.

“Part of something that magnifies our shared connection”

HB 1631 has helped Mik, another Youth Ocean Advocate, learn more about bull kelp and the marine environment. “Bull kelp has opened new doors and shed light on the interesting aspects of food chains and biodiversity that I did not know about before,” Mik says. “Throughout the past few months of working on this with amazing people, I’ve become more and more immersed in a world of marine consciousness and government action than I had before. Bull kelp may be overlooked by many, but it’s allowed me to meet new people and learn more about local waters. It’s easy to tell how much staff and volunteers at the Seattle Aquarium care about Puget Sound, and I’m lucky to be a part of something that magnifies our shared connection.”

Youth Ocean Advocate Ellen claims she used to “take bull kelp forests for granted.”

“They’re very inconspicuous,” she says, “always pictured in the background of images showing sea otters playing or colorful schools of fish.” Ellen hopes that HB 1631 will help bring bull kelp forests into the public’s attention.

"I got involved in advocating for bull kelp forests to be made a Washington state symbol because I believe that the importance of kelp must be recognized—but more than that, that the entire bull kelp forest ecosystem must be valued and considered with the same regard as our forests on land."

—Ellen, Seattle Aquarium Youth Ocean Advocate

Sebastian, Mik and Ellen hope that, as working on the bill has helped them learn new concepts, making bull kelp an official state symbol will help educate more of the public about its importance in maintaining a healthy and productive Salish Sea.

Bull kelp forests support wild populations of sea otters and other beloved local species.

Support Sebastian, Mik, Ellen—and kelp

Want to give these amazing efforts a boost? You can support the bill by contacting your state representatives via the legislative hotline at (800) 562-6000 and urging them to vote yes on HB 1631.

The ripple effect: Former youth volunteers make conservation a career, part 2

Posted on July 3, 2024September 25, 2024 by Emma Leiser

In our recent web story, we highlighted a number of former Youth Ocean Advocates, or YOAs—folks who participated in our teen volunteer program and then went on to a variety of ocean-related careers. Today, we’re happy to share several more.

These are just a few examples of the many young marine enthusiasts (over 2,500 since the program launched in 1994!) who learned and grew at the Seattle Aquarium—and then, in a wonderful ripple effect, went on to make a difference for the marine environment in their jobs and communities. We hope you enjoy reading their stories.

“The Seattle Aquarium shaped my journey and helped me see the tremendous impact of science education in informal settings.”

—Bethany Shimasaki, YOA 2012–2015

Imagine spending your days on the water, helping people discover the wonders of the ocean and the animals that live there. That’s what Bethany does: She works in ecotourism in Washington and Hawai‘i, specifically for small businesses that follow whale-watching guidelines. She shares knowledge with tour guests and, by taking photos of the whales she sees, she’s able to contribute data to researchers.

“I’ve been inspired by humpback whales since I was little,” she says. “I grew up in the San Juan Islands and spent a lot of my childhood on a boat.” Her curiosity and love for humpbacks only grew with time; in high school, she worked as a deckhand for a local whale-watching tour.

“Attending a career fair at the Seattle Aquarium helped me realize that people can do this for a living,” she comments. “I was shy and didn’t see my potential, but becoming a YOA helped me realize that I could talk to people.” She continues, “Education is key to changing policy. And if I can give people a connection to humpbacks, they’ll start caring and acting to protect them.”

“It defined my high school years and gave me a community that I’ll forever belong to. I became a part of the Seattle Aquarium and never left.”

—Trinity Conn, YOA 2012–2015

The first time Trinity walked through the Aquarium’s Pacific Coral Reef habitat, she was captivated. “The corals blew my mind,” she says. “They looked so weird that I just had to know more.” By then, Trinity already knew she wanted to be a scientist. “I loved animals, marine life, the ocean and being outdoors right from the start,” she comments.

Trinity joined the YOA program in high school because she wanted to learn more about careers in marine conservation and see how she felt working in that world. Her years of volunteer service only fueled her interest in coral. “It felt like an unexplored world with so much to learn,” she explains.

That curiosity is still driving her. Trinity recently earned her Ph.D. from Penn State University, where she studied coral genomics and conservation. She is now continuing that work as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Shedd Aquarium.

“Being a YOA was the spark that ignited my lifelong passion for conservation and driving larger social change—it provided a platform for me to learn, grow and hone my advocacy skills.”

—Derek Baker, YOA 1995–1997

Sometimes former YOAs make their way back to the Aquarium—like Derek Baker, our senior director of strategic initiatives and government affairs. After graduating from Western Washington University with a double major in political science and communication, he held numerous roles in government and the private sector related to public policy, community organizing and communications. When the opportunity arose to join our staff in 2018, he jumped at it.

“I’ve always had a passion for our marine environment and effecting change,” he notes. “I was excited to take the skills I learned around public policy, community organizing and the power of connecting with people through storytelling, and apply them to ocean conservation at the Aquarium.”

Derek continues, “The challenges facing our ocean and planet can appear daunting, but educating and bringing government stakeholders to the table can make large-scale change possible for our communities. Just like our ocean, government and its policies touch us all—and bringing policymakers to the table will ultimately lead to a healthier future for everyone.”

“Meeting and working with Seattle Aquarium staff members made me realize I could make my love of the ocean my job.”

—Hyejoo Ro, YOA 2012–2015

Hyejoo grew up in the Pacific Northwest where, she says, “I was always interested in the marine environment, always outside and surrounded by nature—which really helped foster my empathy for animals.” Field trips to the Aquarium, the University of Washington and various labs opened her eyes to the idea that her love of animals and nature could become more than just a hobby.

Hyejoo brought her love for the ocean to college, where she’s currently in graduate school at the University of California–Merced. Her research is focused on understanding the dietary patterns of predators with stable isotopes, which are a tool that traces and reflects diet and habitat. She’s studied how shark or grey wolf diets differ according to different life history traits, like age and sex or where they live. Her work is centered on whether these predators are considered to be keystone species and their impact on other populations.

She’s not stopping there. In the future, Hyejoo would like to continue her research with stable isotopes because, she says, “They are a tool that can shed light on complex ecological interactions between species in any system—marine, terrestrial, estuaries, rivers, lakes and more.”

“My time at the Aquarium helped me break out of my shell. I was super shy and it helped me grow.”

—Liz Allyn, YOA 2014–2015

As a marine mammal technician for Makah Fisheries, Liz has found a sweet spot in the space where policy and research meet. She’s focused on evaluating strategies to restore local salmon, including studying seal and sea lion populations in Puget Sound. In what she describes as “a little of everything,” her role involves both fieldwork and data analysis.

“My childhood was centered around the ocean,” Liz says. She spent weekends on the beach at Golden Gardens and visited the coasts of Oregon and Maine. “I wanted to be either a marine biologist or a human rights lawyer—and, as it’s turned out, my career is kind of an intersection of those things,” she explains.

Participating in what was then called our Citizen Science program through her high school marine biology class in 2012, Liz researched sea stars. “That’s when it hit me: people do this for work,” she says. She soon joined the YOA program, one of the many steps that helped lead her to where she is today. Going forward, she aims to finish her Master of Science in fisheries at the University of Washington and continue working at the intersection of marine ecology and treaty resource management.

Be part of the next generation of Youth Ocean Advocates

With the opening of the Ocean Pavilion this year, the YOA program’s capacity will grow even further. Offering school-year and summer sessions, it’s open to young people enrolled in grades 9–12 in a high school, Running Start, GED or homeschool program at the time of application. Interested in becoming a YOA—or know someone who might be? You’ll find details on our Youth Ocean Advocates webpage.

The ripple effect: Former youth volunteers make conservation a career, part 1

Posted on June 18, 2024September 25, 2024 by Emma Leiser

Our volunteer program for high-school-aged teens, Youth Ocean Advocates (YOA), launched in 1994—and since then, has attracted over 2,500 marine enthusiasts. These youth volunteers (known as YOAs) often share that the experience has either furthered their existing desire for a career in marine conservation, or helped them discover a new one.

Here, we bring you the stories of a few of the many YOAs who have followed their dreams and, in a beautiful ripple effect, are continuing to benefit the marine environment through their careers. Watch for part two of this series, where we’ll introduce you to more former YOAs making a difference for ocean health!

“Having a sense of purpose and understanding the value of your opinion and knowledge was a really important lesson, especially as a young woman of color. It opened doors for me.”

—Jasmine Prat, YOA 2010–2013

Jasmine Prat went snorkeling for the first time during a family vacation when she was in 4th grade. “It blew my mind,” she says. “Seeing a whole new world underwater for the first time.” After moving to Seattle in the middle of high school, she jumped at the opportunity to join the YOA program to learn more about the ocean and meet new people.

“It was priceless,” she says, describing her experience. “It taught me how to inspire others and have an open mind and ear—and developed my own confidence too. Feeling like an expert at that age was really formative.”

Jasmine went on to earn a master’s in environmental science at Washington State University and is now a foreign affairs specialist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Silver Spring, Maryland. In her role, she helps draft and implement international policy regulating the high seas and marine mammal bycatch.

“My time at the Aquarium was my base. It locked me into wanting to be a marine biologist.”

—Emma Strand, YOA 2012–2014

Emma Strand grew up loving the ocean and fantasizing about being a marine biologist. She says that, in addition to solidifying her career ambitions, participating in the YOA program helped increase her communication skills and confidence.

Scuba diving played a key role too. During a dive in Honduras, she saw the effects of coral bleaching firsthand, and found it fascinating that some corals were bleaching while others still appeared to be thriving.

“That experience sparked a curiosity that’s become the basis of my research,” she says. After earning her Ph.D. in biological and environmental sciences with a specialty in evolution and marine biology from the University of Rhode Island, she joined Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute as a postdoctoral scientist. Her current research is focused on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture—developing genomic tools to advance research-based sustainable management of marine environments; and climate change resilience— investigating how marine organisms respond to rapidly changing environments.

“It was a transformative experience for me. The program showed the potential to bridge passions into careers.”

—Noah Chesnin, YOA 1997–1999

Noah Chesnin was 16 when he joined what was then called our teen naturalist program in 1998. “I was shy and nervous,” he recalls. “But putting on a Seattle Aquarium t-shirt gave me the confidence to share my passion with visitors.”

After earning a master’s in environmental management from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, Noah went on to a stint at the Conservation Law Foundation, shaping policy related to ocean issues. That experience helped him realize that he wanted to focus on engagement and build a public movement.

He’s now the director of policy and outreach for the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Seascape Program, the conservation initiative of the New York Aquarium, where he leads policy advocacy work, including nominating and building a coalition to advocate for the designation of Hudson Canyon as a National Marine Sanctuary. He also serves as vice chair of the proposed Hudson Canyon National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council and on the executive committee and as policy work group co-chair of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership—a consortium of 29 U.S. aquariums and zoos working collaboratively on conservation policy.

“Becoming a YOA gave me confidence to talk to anyone—as well as confidence in what I did and didn’t know.”

—Anja Brandon, YOA 2008–2012

As a young child, Anja Brandon loved animals and dreamed of working at a zoo. But a field trip to the Seattle Aquarium changed all of that. “I fell in love with the tiny invertebrates and was inspired by how everything appeared to be connected and worked together,” she says.

She joined the YOA program as soon as she was able, and credits it with helping to develop her public speaking and customer skills. “Having exposure to staff members and volunteers alike helped build connections that I’ve been able to use throughout my career,” she comments.

And what a career it is! With a Ph.D. in environmental engineering at Stanford University, Anja is now the associate director of U.S. Plastics Policy at Ocean Conservancy, where she helps write legislative text for states working on policy. Among her many achievements, she helped write the federal “Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act” (S. 984) and California’s “Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act” (S.B. 54).

Be part of the next generation of Youth Ocean Advocates

Evening event volunteers like Jean Brosell create “aha” moments for guests

Posted on January 3, 2023February 9, 2024 by Emma Leiser

This concludes our series of blog posts devoted to some of the amazing people who volunteer for the Seattle Aquarium. Interested in becoming a volunteer yourself? Scroll to the bottom for details!

Jean Brosell’s interest in the ocean began in 1979 when she took a marine biology college course she needed to graduate.

“The experience was so amazing that every vacation after that for the next 20+ years was to somewhere I could go diving,” she recalls.

As an evening event volunteer at the Aquarium, Jean shares her enthusiasm for marine life with guests at weddings, corporate events and even portions of the summer festival Seafair. Often, the people she meets are seeing the Aquarium for the first time—and Jean gets to share in their excitement and delight.

Stationed in the Life on the Edge habitat, she might show guests the newest giant Pacific octopus, point out fish eggs in one of the tide pools, demonstrate how to gently stroke a sea cucumber or explain the Salish Sea’s unique and delicate ecosystem.

“I love the ‘aha’ moment when the guest who is shy or afraid to touch a sea urchin reaches in and finds that the urchin gives a little hug,” Jean says, “or when you get to talk to a guest about the ever-elusive giant Pacific octopus or the cute northern sea otters, which are my favorite creatures at the Aquarium.”

Jean has especially fond members of volunteering during Seafair. After giving a tour to one of the Blue Angels and his fiancé, a former Navy nurse, she received a Blue Angel pin from the couple.

And though Jean didn’t pursue a career in marine biology, she says that the Aquarium’s volunteer training program armed her with the knowledge she needs to feel comfortable on the floor.

“This is my fun volunteer job,” she says. “I thoroughly enjoy getting to interact with guests and helping them to have an enjoyable experience at the Aquarium. It is no stress, no hassle interaction with people from all walks of life—what could be better?”

Ready to join Jean in sharing the Seattle Aquarium’s mission with visitors? Visit our volunteer page to explore volunteer opportunities, including evening opportunities like Jean’s role, and to register for our upcoming volunteer orientation!

Helping guests “glow up:” A surprise perk of volunteering at the Aquarium

Posted on November 21, 2022February 9, 2024 by Emma Leiser

Welcome to the second in our series of blog posts devoted to some of the amazing people who volunteer for the Seattle Aquarium. We’ll be highlighting others in the weeks to come. Interested in becoming a volunteer yourself? Scroll to the bottom for details!

When people hear that Aina Hori grew up in Hawai‘i, invariably they assume she surfs. She chuckles at this fantasy, clarifying that yes, the beach was her playground, and no, she didn’t ride the waves. Nonetheless, she loved the ocean, and her appreciation grew on elementary school outings. “In Hawai‘i, a lot of field trips take you to nearby beaches,” recalls Aina. “They build an understanding of where we live and why we have to take care of our environment.”

It was on these excursions, as she interacted with volunteers, that Aina discovered she wanted to be connected to the sea. Her interest developed as she spent hours exploring tide pools and getting familiar with the ocean. Eventually, when she set off for the University of Washington (UW), unsure of her major, she heeded the wisdom of her parents, who advised her to study something she really enjoyed. Luckily, the UW had just established a new marine biology major, and in June 2022, Aina was among 50 students in the first in-person graduating class. This fall, she’s continuing her studies through the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs at the UW.

Aina heard about volunteering for the Seattle Aquarium from her classmates and decided she’d like applying her schooling to the real world. On her Saturday shifts as a habitat interpreter, she meets many families with children. Remembering how her experience with volunteers impressed her as a kid, she encourages those who are interested, letting them know a career in marine biology is possible.

What does she like most about her role? “It’s a pleasure to show visitors who’ve never experienced the Pacific Northwest ecosystem—let alone water because they’re from landlocked areas—that you can get an urchin hug…it has a mouth…it’s an animal…the amount of times that a person’s face ‘glows up’ never gets old!” she says delightedly.

Between graduate school and volunteering, Aina’s calendar is full. But she still makes volunteering at the Aquarium a priority, as she feels that in addition to increasing her aquatic knowledge, it also enhances her life skills, such as interpersonal communication and being at ease with people from all around the world. And she’s built a network of co-workers and supporters who she can rely on, wherever her future takes her.

Aware that balancing school and other responsibilities is challenging, she offers this advice for students contemplating volunteering: “Given the Aquarium’s requirements, if you want to help and are limited on time, let them know you’re interested along with your availability and they’ll work with you to find appropriate opportunities.” There are many prospects, including interpretation at evening events and seasonal needs like the Beach Naturalist and Cedar River Salmon Journey programs—positions that might not conflict with classes and other life obligations.

Aina’s commitment to the Aquarium is clear: she’s given more than 230 hours of service in her three years as a volunteer. One of the key reasons she loves being a habitat interpreter is that she helps visitors realize that each individual can make a difference to our environment. “I keep volunteering because, by sharing, I create a fascination so people care and want to help change the world for the better,” she says.

Ready to join Aina in sharing the Seattle Aquarium’s mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment? Register for our upcoming volunteer orientation today! You’ll find all the details on our volunteer webpage.

Volunteer as a diver at the Aquarium? “Do it!” says Whitney Golay

Posted on November 16, 2022February 9, 2024 by Emma Leiser

Welcome to the first in our series of blog posts devoted to some of the amazing people who volunteer for the Seattle Aquarium. We’ll be highlighting others in the weeks to come. Interested in becoming a volunteer yourself? Scroll to the bottom for details!

Whitney Golay started volunteering for the Aquarium in 2012 as a beach naturalist. In 2014, she added diving to the mix and, at last count, had logged more than 550 hours of service—all of them in our Pacific Coral Reef habitat. “It’s essentially a mini vacation where I can see tropical fish up close without having to go to Hawai‘i,” she says, “And I’m giving back at the same time.”

But Whitney’s appreciation for the marine environment isn’t limited to tropical waters. She studied marine biology at the University of Washington because of her love of the Salish Sea—a love she shares with her dad. “When I was growing up, my family would spend weekends on the Kitsap Peninsula, checking out all the tide pools and some of my favorite Salish Sea creatures, nudibranchs,” she says.

Whitney’s journey to becoming a diver started in 2010, while she was working in Friday Harbor, analyzing underwater rock wall photos on a computer. When a co-worker signed up for a scuba class, she decided to join. “And, a few months later, I was getting to look at all the underwater sights that I’d been staring at through the computer screen,” she comments. She got her dive masters in 2014 and started volunteering for us the same year.

Now, Whitney spends her volunteer shifts diving in the warm-water habitats at the Aquarium, where she feeds the fish, watches the antics of the porcupinefish (one for her favorites), cleans the habitat and waves to guests on the “dry side.” She especially loves waving to young girls, who she hopes are inspired to share her passion for the ocean and conservation.

When asked what she would say to someone who is considering becoming a volunteer diver at the Aquarium, her short answer is, “Do it!” She adds, “It’s a unique opportunity. You’re able to see some of the species up close that you are never going to see otherwise.”

Potential volunteer divers are required to have a minimum of 12 dives in local diving conditions within the last year and an advanced open water diver certificate. Divers must also commit to at least one three-hour shift at the Aquarium, every other week for at least a year. Interested in learning more? Visit the adult volunteer page on our website and fill out our diver experience form!

Tag: Volunteer

Kelp—It needs somebody (preferably a Youth Ocean Advocate!)

A bill to help bull kelp

“Part of something that magnifies our shared connection”

Support Sebastian, Mik, Ellen—and kelp

The ripple effect: Former youth volunteers make conservation a career, part 2

Be part of the next generation of Youth Ocean Advocates

The ripple effect: Former youth volunteers make conservation a career, part 1

Be part of the next generation of Youth Ocean Advocates

Evening event volunteers like Jean Brosell create “aha” moments for guests

More stories in this series:

Helping guests “glow up:” A surprise perk of volunteering at the Aquarium

Welcome to the second in our series of blog posts devoted to some of the amazing people who volunteer for the Seattle Aquarium. We’ll be highlighting others in the weeks to come. Interested in becoming a volunteer yourself? Scroll to the bottom for details!

Volunteer as a diver at the Aquarium? “Do it!” says Whitney Golay

Welcome to the first in our series of blog posts devoted to some of the amazing people who volunteer for the Seattle Aquarium. We’ll be highlighting others in the weeks to come. Interested in becoming a volunteer yourself? Scroll to the bottom for details!