The Indian Island Marine Health Observatory will host two public events on Wednesday, Feb. 16: a fish talk at Orcas Library, followed by an evening low-tide walk at Indian Island.

At 5 p.m. Lopezian Dr. Gene Helfman, professor emeritus of ecology (University of Georgia) and author of the highly regarded textbook Fish Conservation, will speak on “Ferries in the fog and fish under floats.” The talk is sponsored by Kwiaht and the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory.

At 8 p.m. Russel Barsh and the Indian Island community team will lead the second and final nighttime low-tide walk of the winter, open to all interested local naturalists, families and children. Researchers will be looking for colorful sea stars and sea slugs, and conducting the first ever nighttime seining to see what fish use the eelgrass meadows around Indian Island in midwinter. Waders or rubber boats, headlamps and warm clothing are recommended. Attendees can meet organizers on the beach, or follow the lights out to the island.