On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team will deliver free training sessions at the Lopez Island Library and the OPALCO office in Eastsound. The free training sessions  are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Volunteers collect 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, hands-on workshop, trainees will become acquainted with the custom COASST field guide, “Beached Birds,” and have a chance to try out their newly acquired identification skills on seabird species common to the Puget Sound.

COASST is a citizen science project of the University of Washington in partnership with state, tribal, and federal agencies, environmental organizations, and community groups.

Reserve your spot by calling 206-221-6893 or by emailing coasst@uw.edu.