Sound Waters University returns with sea stars, sharks and more

Whether you’re interested in crabs, octopuses or whales, there’s something for everyone to learn about at the upcoming Sound Waters University.

This year marks the 30th anniversary for the educational conference on environmental subjects, which was started by Island County Beach Watchers, a former program of Washington State University Extension. Volunteers were passionate about creating a one-day public university for all to attend.

In 2016, Sound Water Stewards of Island County formed as a separate nonprofit organization and took over the responsibility of hosting the conference, which it has done ever since.

Sound Waters University is set to make a return to in-person programming on Feb. 3 at Coupeville High School, which hasn’t happened since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The theme for 2024 is You, Me, and the Salish Sea: Responding to a Sea of Change.

Keynote speaker Jason Hodin of Friday Harbor Labs will address sunflower sea stars and captive rearing. Tabitha Jacobs-Mangiafico, the Whidbey coordinator for Sound Water Stewards, said the stewards have helped collect sunflower sea stars on Camano Island to be part of research and to help with rearing. Sea stars suffer from a wasting syndrome that continues to kill them.

A representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will speak about sea stars and the status of their population, which has declined in recent years.

A scuba diver and underwater photographer, Jacobs-Mangiafico remembers when a particular species of sunflower sea star used to be everywhere, and were larger than a trucker’s steering wheel.

“Nowadays, you get really excited if you see one the size of a dinner plate, or just little baby juvenile ones,” she said.

Participants can choose three of 30 classes to attend. The variety alone is stunning.

One such class delves into forage fish – such as herring — of the Salish Sea.

“A lot of our environment depends on the health of our food population, and the forage fish are exactly that,” Jacobs-Mangiafico said.

Another class discusses derelict fishing gear.

People can also learn about the European green crab, an invasive species and aggressive predator. Attendees will learn what to look for and how to report it.

“We also have ‘Sharks of the Salish Sea,’ which is super exciting. I think that one can sell itself,” Jacobs-Mangiafico said with a laugh.

About half of the presenters are new to Sound Waters University. And there will be some familiar faces, such as Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair, who plans to teach a class called “What Island County is Doing for Our Environment.”

The total cost of attendance is $70. Teachers, students and military service members receive 50% discounts. Limited scholarships for students are available. If interested, email registerswu@soundwaterstewards.org.

For those who would prefer to attend Sound Waters University online, there is a Zoom option. Up to nine classes will be recorded for the Zoom participants, who can watch three live. Zoom streaming costs $50.

In addition, people can purchase field trips for $30 each. A newer experience for Sound Waters University, the field trips explore a diversity of locations, from Dugualla Preserve to South Whidbey State Park to Deer Lagoon.

As of Monday, about half of the 300 tickets have been sold. Ticket sales end at 5 p.m. on Jan. 30.

For more information, visit soundwaterstewards.org/education-center/sound-waters-university/.

A spawning sunflower sea star in Coupeville. Sea stars will be the topic of the keynote speaker at this year’s Sound Waters University. (Photo by Tabitha Jacobs-Mangiafico)