The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) will deliver two free trainings, one in Forks on Saturday, Sept. 10, and one in Sekiu on Sunday, Sept. 11. COASST volunteers 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. Data collected helps address important marine conservation issues and protect marine resources.

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 North Pacific. The COASST training provides volunteers with the tools to monitor for potential changes in the marine environment and promote stewardship of local marine resources.

COASST is a citizen science project of the University of Washington in partnership with state, tribal and federal agencies, environmental organizations and community groups. Currently, more than 800 volunteers survey beaches in Washington, Oregon, California and Alaska.

The training session in Forks will be held at the Olympic Natural Resource Center. 1455 S. Forks Ave, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. The training session in Sekiu will be held at the Sekiu Community Cente, 42 Rice St., from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. Beach surveys are best conducted in groups of two or more — come with a survey partner in mind or plan to join a team during training.

Reserve your training spot at either training by calling COASST at 206-221-6893 or by emailing coasst@uw.edu. For more information on COASST: University of Washington, School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, Box 355020, Seattle, WA 98195-5020; Phone: 206-221-6893; Website: www.coasst.org; email: coasst@uw.edu.