Stranding Network The Alaska Stranding Network is a group of dedicated volunteers and organizations that help support rescue, stranding and rehabilitation efforts statewide. Participating organizations include the Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the North Slope Borough, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Alaska Southeast, as well as representatives from native communities and oil companies.   The Alaska Stranding Network works with the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to maintain and meet the following objectives: Improve the rescue, care and treatment of stranded marine mammals. Reduce the health risk to animals, humans, and the ocean environment during response to, and rehabilitation and release of, stranded marine mammals. Collect life history, biological, and biomedical data from live and dead stranded marine mammals. Develop baseline reference data on the health of wild marine mammal populations, normal stranding rates, and causes of morbidity and mortality; improve the rapid detection of morbidity and mortality events. Collect archival samples for future retrospective studies on causes of mortality or illness, including genetics and genomics, and for placement in the National Marine Mammal Tissue (and Serum) Bank and other properly curated, professionally accredited archival facilities. Refine and/or utilize comprehensive and consistent guidance for the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals, collection of specimens, quality assurance, and analysis of tissue samples.

Program Resources Virtual Visit:  Seabird Superpowers! Pre-visit materials: Puffin puppet - Print out this page and follow the instructions (link below) to create a puffin that you can use to follow along during the program! Puffin puppet instructions - Use these instructions to create your puffin puppet. Post-visit materials: Puffin adaptations coloring sheet - Print and label the puffin adaptations to review what you learned during the program, then color your puffin and add some superpowers of your own! Bird behavior observation science activity - Want to learn even more?  Join researcher Amy Bishop to experience how scientists observe seabirds in the field! 

Beers by the Bay returns November 12! Spend an evening sampling local Alaskan beer and wine and enjoy a heavy appetizer buffet.  What better way to welcome fall than a gathering with friends, food, and fermented beverages at the Alaska SeaLife Center?    SOLD OUT but Sponsorships still available - click here to purchase!

This five-day virtual auction will offer participants the chance to bid on Alaskan excursions and ocean-themed items including clothing, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind artwork. During the week catch a special presentation featuring the stars of the Center...the animals.    The Auction is now open! Bidy now >>> https://one.bidpal.net/aslcauction2023/welcome

All are welcome at this fun, free community event – get in the holiday spirit with cookie decorating, crafts, and a visit from Santa! The Community Holiday Party will be held at the Alaska SeaLife Center Dec. 1 from 6- 8 p.m. – Show up 15 minutes early and catch Santa's arrival!

Corporate Giving Education Tax Credit The Alaska Education Tax Credit Program provides a tax credit to businesses to make contributions to Alaskan facility that qualifies as a coastal ecosystem learning center under the Coastal American Partnership.  Corporate Donors and Sponsors The Alaska SeaLife Center welcomes corporate donors and sponsors. They are many different ways for organizations to support the Center, whether through donations for general support, support for specific programs, or as a sponsor for an event. If you are interested in becoming a donor or sponsor please contact Laura Swihart at lauras@alaskasealife.org or (907) 224-6337.      

We are bringing the aquarium to you! Enjoy the different habitats at the Center from the comfort of your home. Each day we will be showcasing an exhibit with some calming music on our YouTube channel. 

Mark your calendars for Beers by the Bay on November 9th. Spend an evening tasting Alaskan beer, mead, and wine paired with savory appetizers from regional chefs. What better way to welcome fall than a gathering with friends, food, and fermented beverages at the Alaska SeaLife Center?  More information can be found here. 

Check out our YouTube Channel! Join our educators as they teach programs at 2 pm AKDT all about marine life. With special guests appearances this is a classroom session your students won't want to miss. Be sure to bring your questions for these interactive sessions.  

The Alaska SeaLife Center Soiree will be February 3, 2024, at the Anchorage Museum. This fun two-hour cocktail reception with heavy appetizers allows guests to mingle with other mission supporters while participating in a raffle and more. Want to attend? Become a sponsor now! For more info: nancya@alaskasealife.org

Each week, this FREE event will offer a variety of age-appropriate, hands-on activities for you and your preschooler(s) to learn and have fun together. Join us for crafts, exploration, story time and more! Join our Small Fry Facebook Group. Click HERE for more information. Every Monday at 11:00 am. Now through April 22, 2024    

Beers by the Bay returns on Saturday, November 9! Spend an evening sampling a variety of beer, wine, cider, mead, and kombucha from 17 Alaskan businesses while exploring the Center at your own pace. Guests will also be able to fill up at a heavy appetizer buffet throughout the evening catered by Wild Spoon. What better way to welcome fall than a gathering with friends, food, and fermented beverages at the Alaska SeaLife Center! Click to Purchase Tickets  

All are welcome at this fun, free community event – get in the holiday spirit with cookie decorating, crafts, and a visit from Santa! The Community Holiday Party will be held at the Alaska SeaLife Center Nov. 30 from 6- 8 p.m. – Show up 15 minutes early and catch Santa's arrival!

Visit local businesses hosting featured artists during Seward First Friday Art Walks! Featured artists will be on display in the ASLC lobby from 6 - 8 PM on the first Friday of each month (May to September).   Seward First Friday Art Walks are hosted by the Seward Chamber of Commerce and Seward Art Council.

Dive into Alaska's marine ecosystems, discover marine animals, and build a connection to nature. Learn how you can make a difference by becoming a SeaLife Conservation Agent! CLICK HERE for more information and to sign up.

The Alaska SeaLife Center Soirée, the Center’s Anchorage-based fundraiser, will be held at the Anchorage Museum. This two-hour cocktail reception includes heavy appetizers and a chance for guests to mingle with other mission supporters. Sponsors get the first chance at limited tickets for this 21+ event. For more information contact Nancy Anderson: nancya@alaskasealife.org

All are welcome at this fun, free community event! Get in the holiday spirit with cookie decorating, crafts, and a seasonal performance by the Seward Community Band! Come at 5:45 to catch Santa's special arrival outside of ASLC's front doors.  This event was made possible by a grant from the Seward Community Foundation, an Affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation 

Explore the Alaska SeaLife Center after hours at Beers by the Bay. Sample beer, wine, cider, mead, and kombucha from Alaskan brewers, enjoy a generous appetizer buffet, and take part in fundraising games woven throughout the evening – a relaxed fall night of sipping and strolling in support of our work! Proceeds help us continue our mission work   Additional event details and ticket information will be announced closer to the event date.

All are welcome at this fun, free community event! Get in the holiday spirit with cookie decorating, crafts, and more! This event was made possible by a grant from the Seward Community Foundation, an Affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation  Check back for event details. More information coming soon.    

Visit local businesses hosting featured artists during Seward First Friday Art Walks! Featured artists will be on display in the ASLC lobby from 6 - 8 PM on the first Friday of each month (May to September). Seward First Friday Art Walks are hosted by the Seward Chamber of Commerce and Seward Art Council.  

    You are seeing a livestream of what ASLC scientists are seeing right now on the Chiswell Island Steller sea lion rookery. ASLC scientists have been monitoring the behavior and population dynamics of the Endangered Steller sea lions in the Gulf of Alaska since 1998.   Are the cameras not live? When the signal is unavailable during observation hours (9 AM - 6 PM AK time) or non-observation hours (6 PM - 9 AM AK time), we will play previously recorded footage until the livestream is restored. The success of the remote-operated camera system is determined by many unpredictable factors, including consistent wind and solar energy to fuel the batteries.   About the Chiswell Island Steller sea lion remote video monitoring project:  The ASLC Remote Video Monitoring Team collects data every year by remotely controlling cameras in the Gulf of Alaska from an office at the Alaska SeaLife Center. The data that has been collected has taught us not just about these amazing marine mammals, but about the entire ecosystem that they live in. This livestream is for scientific and educational purposes and will contain unpredictable moments from the wild that may be graphic for some viewers. Examples of these moments could include births, males defending territories, pup mortality, predation, and more. Activities permitted by: USFWS Land Use Permit, NMFS Permit No. 22293   Watch weekly highlight videos from the research team: Our Chiswell Island Research Team shares weekly video updates from the observation season, check out the playlist to see incredible moments from this season: YouTube: @AlaskaSeaLifeCenter Facebook: @AlaskaSeaLifeCenter Instagram: @AlaskaSeaLifeCenter   Be a supporter of this critical long term monitoring research and help us continue this project for years to come! Select "Science & Research Programs" in the pull down menu.    

Sustaining donors are individuals who donate monthly. By choosing to donate each month, you give the gift of stability by ensuring a sustainable flow of resources no matter the season.  Just as a salmon smolt thrives in the community of its school, the Alaska SeaLife Center relies on the School of Sustainers, brought together by the shared value of conserving and stewarding Alaska’s marine ecosystems.      If you choose to join the School of Sustainers, please know that we keep your information secure and you have the ability to cancel your donations at any time. If you would like to cancel or alter your recurring gift, please call Laura Swihart, Development Associate, 907-224-6337 or email development@alaskasealife.org.    Your monthly gift is more than a donation – it’s a powerful current that keeps the mission in motion.       

We have a special announcement: Atty's pregnant! The Alaska SeaLife Center's 10-year-old harbor seal Atuun, "Atty," is expecting her third pup! In this ultrasound video, you can see the fetus moving around, with the spine and heart coming in and out of view. The sex of the pup remains undetermined. Veterinary staff expect the new harbor seal to arrive in June of this year. Click here for a link to the ultrasound video. Atty is the mother of Kordelia (born June 8, 2011) and Kobuk (born June 27, 2012).