Beached Bird Survey Training

South coast COASST volunteers Dave and Diane Bilderback.

COASST (the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team), which organizes the beached bird survey in which CoastWatch is an Oregon partner, is holding an online training session aimed at prospective volunteers on the south coast on Sunday, Jan. 31, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  The webinar is free and open to anyone interested.

The COASST survey is a pioneering citizen science project which is directed by University of Washington scientists and trains non-scientists to gather valid data. 

COASST participants help make a difference for the environment by collecting data on beach-cast carcasses of marine birds on a monthly basis to establish the baseline pattern of beached bird mortality on North Pacific beaches.

Through an interactive workshop held via Zoom, trainees will become acquainted with COASST survey protocols, and have a chance to learn more about the seabirds that live in their area. The COASST training provides participants with the tools to monitor for potential changes in the marine environment and promote stewardship of local marine resources.

COASST partners with state, tribal, and federal agencies, environmental organizations (including CoastWatch), and community groups. By collaborating with citizens, natural resource management agencies and environmental organizations, COASST works to translate long-term monitoring into effective marine conservation solutions.  Currently, nearly 1,000 participants survey beaches in Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska.

The training session will be held online via Zoom; attendees will need a computer or mobile device with a strong internet connection to stream a Zoom Webinar, with audio and/or video streaming capabilities. Participants need no prior experience with scientific data collection, just a commitment to survey a specific beach at least once a month.

Reserve your training spot by registering in advance here.

Learn more by calling COASST at 206-221-6893, emailing coasst@uw.edu, or visiting the website at coasst.org.