Future of Oceans lecture “Puffins: Beloved Sentinels of Ocean Health"
Schedule
Sun, 18 Jan, 2026 at 03:00 pm
UTC-08:00Location
Fort Worden State Park | Port Townsend, WA
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Future of Oceans lecture “Puffins: Beloved Sentinels of Ocean Health"
Sunday, January 18
3pm
Wheeler Theater
Please note: A Discover Pass is required to park at Fort Worden Historical State Park.
Space is limited. To keep this series accessible to all, regardless of the ability to pay, there is no set charge for the event; however, donations are always welcomed and appreciated.
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Who doesn’t love Puffins? With their brightly colored parrot-bills, tuxedo plumage, and upright waddle-walk, these iconic seabirds are cherished around the world. Not only are plush toy Puffins found in gift shops everywhere, but their chubby images may also be found on national coins, banknotes and stamps in dozens of countries. Also known as “clowns of the sea”, public lore suggests they live a care-free life of little hobbits in their burrows on idyllic grassy offshore islands. However, the reality is that puffins are athletic, resilient, and voracious marine predators living in an extreme environment for birds. Agile and fast aerial flyers, they also “fly” under water to great depths in pursuit of schooling prey. In this presentation, you will find out why puffins are among the most successful seabird species breeding in the Northern Hemisphere, and how they thrive in remote ocean wildernesses. You will also learn about their “Achille’s heel”, and what is currently the greatest threat to their survival.
John Piatt is a seabird scientist whose career began at seabird colonies in Newfoundland and spanned 37 years with the U.S. Department of the Interior studying seabirds in Alaska. His research on forage fish and their predators has contributed to more than 350 scientific papers and reports, and he has served as a journal editor, professor, and science advisor. Retired from public service in 2024, John is now director of the World Puffin Congress, a nonprofit ocean education organization based in Port Townsend.
Photo credit: Robin Corcoran - USFWS
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Where is it happening?
Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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