COUPEVILLE, Wash. — The 16th annual Sound Waters one-day “university” on all things Puget Sound will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5, from 8 am to 4:30 pm at a new venue, South Whidbey High School in Langley.
The popular event features more than 60 classes and presentations about all aspects of living around and caring for Puget Sound, from kayaking and salt water fly-fishing to marine biology to maintaining a septic system. The classes will be taught by 85 presenters from a variety of public and private organizations.
This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Rick Keil of the University of Washington School of Oceanography speaking on “Puget Sound: What’s In Our Water and Why Does It Matter.” Keil and his students have found a variety of common compounds in Puget Sound waters, including cooking spices, chocolate, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products.
Online registration opens on Friday, Jan. 7, and early registration is recommended since the most popular classes fill early.
The registration fee of $40 includes your choice of three sessions and the keynote address. An optional catered lunch is available for $7.50
More information and online registration is available at http://beachwatchers.net/soundwaters or by calling Washington State University Island County Extension at 360-679-7327. The website also features the program brochure with a complete listing of all of this year’s classes and information about the presenters.
Traditionally, Sound Waters has been held at Coupeville High School. Mary Hulbert, Sound Waters publicity chair, says the new venue in Langley will accommodate more attendees.
“We’ve been drawing around 600 people and have had to use an overflow room for the keynote address,” she says. “South Whidbey High gives us more room and we’re hoping we’ll attract more people from the mainland because of Langley’s proximity to the ferry.”
Sound Waters is presented by the WSU Beach Watchers of Island County and WSU Island County Extension with support from a variety of sponsors.