Sound Waters is coming back to South Whidbey for its 20th anniversary.

The annual event began on the South End but has been held on Central and South Whidbey for the past five years. This year’s conference is Feb. 7 at South Whidbey High School. Registration opens Jan. 4, and organizers advise participants to sign up early as classes historically fill up quickly.

Celebrating two decades of history, Sound Waters 2015 will feature the University of Washington’s Dr. John Delaney as the keynote speaker. He will tell crowds about the recent installation of the world’s largest Internet connected ocean observatory off the West Coast.

Robots monitoring the ocean from the surface to the bottom will help us better understand the ocean as the ultimate life-support system for our planet, according to a recent news release.

“Exhibits focusing on the 20-year history of Sound Waters will explain how Beach Watchers work with so many other organizations to protect our fragile ecosystem,” the release said.

The conference will have 60 sessions, a few of which include: Raptors, puffins and owls; Sea star wasting syndrome; Giant Pacific octopus; Oyster gardening and native pollinators; How Apex predators drive diversity in the natural environment; The Elwha; Melting ice sheets and sea level rise; Storm water pollution solutions; and How trees hug back.

Sound Waters aims to educate people about the ocean and marine environment. For details, visit beachwatchers.net/soundwaters.