Salish Sea Expeditions was founded in 1996 to inspire a passion for exploring, understanding, and respecting the marine environment through hands-on scientific inquiry.

Who We Are

Salish Sea Expeditions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to provide an opportunity for students to design and conduct real scientific research from the decks of a 61' sailing vessel on Puget Sound.  These innovative 'science-under-sail" programs are tailored for students from 5th through 12th grades.  See our online collected works series Student Research of Puget Sound of student authored papers featuring the results of research projects conducted aboard the SV Carlyn.

Why We Exist

We believe that today's youth are the future leaders who will develop policies, conduct research and make decisions impacting our world. To help them be engaged citizens of the future, our multi-day science education programs stimulate young minds, anchoring an understanding of science and critical thinking.

Over 6,000 middle and high school students, 1000 teachers and 100 schools have sailed the waters of Puget Sound as students of our innovative “science-under-sail” programs aboard the 61’ sailing research vessel Carlyn. Read More…

2nd Annual Salish Sea Student Science Symposium a Success!

Nearly 200 students, teachers, professional scientists and community members came together for the second annual Salish Sea Student Science Symposium on June 4th at the Woodland Park Zoo. Over twenty student research teams presented their research findings to their peers and professional scientists, on topics ranging from water quality to Harbor Seal beaching to salmon habitat viability.

“[The students] were very excited to participate, and felt like "real scientists" up there with a stage, big screen, and microphone,” said a teacher. 

Read More and See Additional Images...  

Salish Leaders Agree on Future Strategy; Approve New Mission as Part of Strategic Planning Process

Through an intensive six-month strategic planning process, the Salish Board and staff, with input from many constituents, conceived a new five-year strategic plan. At the same time, the strategic planning team recognized the opportunity to update Salish's mission to more closely reflect our current plans and aspirations.

"A strong expression of Salish's mission is very important to the Board," said board Vice President TC Richmond, a land use attorney at GordonDerr in Seattle. "But after careful consideration we realized that the new language reflects what Salish has always been, and also what we aspire to be. We feel that the new language focuses our energy where it should be."

The new mission statement:

"Developing curiosity and confidence through student-led scientific research and adventure on the waters of the Salish Sea."

You can read the one-page five-year strategy document on our website.

2009 Financial Audit - Statement Ready for Distribution

Salish recently completed its second financial audit. The independent accounting firm Peterson Sullivan LLP was hired to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. You can view our FINANCIAL STATEMENT here or request a hard copy be mailed to you by calling the office at (206) 780-7848.

Set Sail with Salish Students!

Read the student's daily log entries and see the ship's position as it sails the waters of Puget Sound.  Read the log entries and view the maps at Expedition Tracking.

Salish Sea Expeditions now on Flickr and Facebook!

Become a fan, post a comment, share a thought on facebook

Interested to see what happens aboard the Carlyn during student expeditions?  Salish Sea Expeditions is proud to share our funnest and finest moments at the online photo sharing community called Flickr. 

Go to Salish Sea Expeditions' photostream