PORT TOWNSEND — Programs in which volunteers participate in science research attracted the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s new program manager to the nonprofit organization.
“One of the things that drew me to the marine science center is its reputation for citizen science, and I think that’s been kept secret,” said Susan Bullerdick, who started her new position last Sunday.
“One of the things that I’m really excited about is telling that story, how the community will be involved in collecting data for real research projects,” she said.
The 32-year-old facility, located at Fort Worden State Park, provides educational programs and exhibits centered around the study and preservation of the Salish Sea.
The Salish Sea includes the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound, as well as all their connecting channels and adjoining waters, and the waters around and between the San Juan Islands in Washington state and the Gulf Islands in British Columbia.
Three examples of citizen science data making a difference are an eelgrass study, research on the impact of plastic bags and the development of crab pots that release trapped crabs should the fisherman not recover the catch, according to Janine Boire, the center’s executive director.
Bullerdick, 52, commutes from Whidbey Island. She plans to relocate to Port Townsend.
She worked for the Seattle Aquarium for 10 years. For seven of those years, she served as the operations manager for Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE), a collaboration among the Seattle Aquarium, the Ocean Inquiry Project and the University of Washington Oceanography department and College of Education.
COSEE is funded by the National Science Foundation.
Marine science was not her first choice of careers, Bullerdick said. She trained to be a social worker but opted for a change.
About 10 years ago, I wanted to go in a different direction,” she said.
“I realized that the things we are doing to the oceans wasn’t leading in a good direction so I decided to do something more environmental.”
Boire, who came to the center in the summer of 2013, said she hopes to consolidate and streamline operations between its two public locations, a small natural history center on land and a touch tank on the end of a Fort Worden pier.
The natural history center is open year-round while the touch tanks, where people can handle small marine creatures, operates from April to October.
Boire said the center is exploring the construction of a single facility that would host both functions and create a single visitor’s center.
Bullerdick was one of about 50 applicants for the program manager position.
She replaces Jean Walat, who retired.
Boire said about 10 people were interviewed during the selection process which began in August.
The center would not disclose Bullerdick’s salary.
Boire said the center’s annual budget is about $650,000, with income divided equally between fees, grants and contributions.
A major annual fundraiser is the Tides of March, a dinner and auction planned this year from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 14 at Fort Worden Commons.
It will include dinner, live and silent auctions and presentations by AmeriCorps volunteers and area students.
Advance tickets are $65 for members and $70 for non-members. Tickets will be $75 at the door.
Preregistration for the auction ends at noon Thursday, the deadline for receiving an auction catalogue prior to the event.
For more information, to buy tickets and make reservations, go to www.ptmsc.org or call 360-385-5582, ext. 104.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
