Join us at the Alaska SeaLife Center for a LIVESTREAM event!  Join Author/Photographer Seth Kantner and UAA Ecologist Paddy Sullivan as they share their unique perspectives, stories and photographs of dramatic changes they have observed while living and working in northwest Alaska. Topics include living with caribou, decline of the Western Arctic Herd, sea ice retreat, changes in climate, thawing permafrost, proliferation of trees and shrubs, stream degradation, and other related issues. Tickets only $10, CLICK HERE to purchase. For more info CLICK HERE

Small Fry School is a FREE educational program at the Alaska SeaLife Center, specially designed for preschool-aged children! Each week, you and your preschooler(s) can enjoy a variety of age-appropriate, interactive activities together! From crafts and exploration to storytelling and more, every session is thoughtfully designed to be both educational and fun.  Join our Small Fry School Facebook Group to access Pre-K activities from our education team and connect with other families! Stay updated with weekly schedules, curriculum, games, and more. For additional information email: smallfry@alaskasealife.org or call: 907-224-6306 *Participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  

All are welcome at this fun, free community event – get in the holiday spirit with cookie decorating, crafts, and a visit from Santa! Show up 15 minutes early and catch Santa's arrival! DISCOVERY GIFT SHOP Special prices from 6 - 8 pm, Dec. 5, and 12 - 5 pm, Dec. 6 through Dec. 14 - ASLC Members 20% off & general public  10% off  (Regularly priced items only; VRAE inventory and metal art by Melanie Burns excluded). This event was made possible by a grant from the Seward Community Foundation, an Affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation.      

                          Join us for Family Ocean Adventures at the Alaska SeaLife Center! This free, family-friendly event runs every other Monday from January 6 to March 3, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Each week features a new ocean-themed adventure with engaging games, stories, and crafts for all ages:   January 6 — Story Time "Under the Sea" January 20 — Coastal Critter Quest February 3 — Seaside Sustainability February 17 — SeaLife Scavenger Hunt March 3 — Habitat Art Adventures   Each program begins at 5 p.m. with a 30-minute snack time, which is followed by an hour-long program. Don’t miss this opportunity to create lasting memories and explore the wonders of the ocean together! Registration recommended — click to sign up.  

Every Bid Supports SeaLife! Online auction to benefit the Alaska SeaLife Center February 20-23, 2025   *Preview items now! Bidding Begins February 20, 2025!*  Click here to View the Auction   Every year, the ASLC Online Auction brings together a passionate community of ocean lovers from across the country, united by a shared mission: to support the Alaska SeaLife Center’s vital work in wildlife rescue, research, and education. For four exciting days, you’ll have the chance to bid on breathtaking Alaskan getaways, handcrafted jewelry, original artwork, unique experiences, and more. With most items available for worldwide shipping, anyone can take part in this incredible event! This event has grown to be one of our most impactful fundraisers of the year, and wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of artists and businesses who donate their work to be auctioned off on our behalf to support our mission work. Now it’s your turn to be part of the impact! Get ready to bid, win, and make waves for marine life. Mark your calendar, invite your friends, and let the bidding begin!  Quick Tips: The auction will be open for bidding February 20–23, 2025 All bids are submitted online through our auction website  Most items can be shipped worldwide Every dollar raised helps protect marine life through ASLC mission work Want to donate an item to the auction or learn more? Email fundraising@alaskasealife.org      

Did you know that Alaska is a haven for over 40 species of waterfowl? The state’s vast and relatively undisturbed ecosystems — including wetlands, tundra, and coastal areas — make it one of the most critical areas in North America for waterfowl conservation.   Learn more at the ASLC on January 17 and 18, where admission includes free crafts, activities, and educational chats!   Activity Schedule   - 12:30 & 2:30 pm: What makes waterfowl so unique in the bird world? - 1:00 & 3:00 pm: Become a "Seaduck Scientist!" - 2:00 & 3:30 pm: Learn to birdwatch!  

Join us for an evening of food, fine wine, and fundraising while deepening your connection to the Alaska SeaLife Center and its mission As you explore the Center after hours, you’ll hear firsthand success stories — each a testament to the groundbreaking research, rescue, and education efforts made possible through your support. Thoughtfully paired food and wine selections will accompany you, and the night will culminate in a wine pull. Don’t miss this chance to engage directly with our dedicated animal care and research staff while raising essential funds for Alaska’s marine ecosystems! Tickets are limited for this 21+ event (ID will be required at the door). Dress code is casual Alaskan cocktail!  

A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Doors open at 6:15 pm, you must have photo ID for this 21+ event. Online ticket sales have closed.  Learn more about the event: click here On November 8, 2025, 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 supporting marine life throughout Alaska.

Join the Alaska SeaLife Center for a family-friendly, fun-filled day of ocean-themed activities and educational booths bringing together science and culture to celebrate and protect the world's oceans!  Explore free activities outside on the plaza hosted by local science and education organizations, participate in interactive crafts and games, and enjoy special programs inside the Center with admission throughout the day. Additional highlights include: Free tour of the Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute (Limit 12 participants. Meet at CRRC tent at 1 p.m. – first come first serve) A citywide ocean explorer scavenger hunt with the Seward Mural Society A collaborative community art project Cultural crafts and demonstrations in partnership with the Qutekcak Native Tribe Bounce house Join us to celebrate our local connection to the ocean and discover ways to protect our marine ecosystems that unite communities around the world. All ages are welcome!

Alaskan bird enthusiasts flock to Seward this month for the annual Seward Seabird Festival! Join community partners to celebrate the rich seabird diversity of the Kenai fjords through family-friendly activities, local art, sightseeing opportunities, and chances to network with seabird researchers and professionals. From the budding birder to the seasoned seabird expert, this city-wide event has something for everyone!   Click Here to View & Download 2025 Schedule of Events           Join us for the Seward Seabird Festival Presentations on May 31, 2025 from 11 AM - 1 PM, featuring keynote speaker Dr. John F. Piatt, Ph.D., Director, World Puffin Congress. Presentations will be held at the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center, 1212 4th Ave, Seward, AK. All are welcome at this free event, and no registration is required.     Register for this year's Paint-a-Puffin Artist Workshop with Ashley Seabolt Originals! Friday, May 30 from 6-8 PM at the Alaska SeaLife Center. Open to ages 10+, children under 16 must be with an adult. There is a $15 registration fee, and space is limited! Registration: https://bit.ly/4kG1fkA   Major Marine Tours will be hosting a special discounted cruise for festival attendees on Sunday, June 1st. Explore the best seabird viewing areas in Resurrection Bay, Northwestern Fjord, and Kenai Fjords National Park on the 8.5 hour small vessel cruise. Learn more and book a spot: https://majormarine.com/seward-seabird-festival/  

It’s Plastic Free July! Join the effort to reduce your single-use plastic and help keep plastic out of Resurrection Bay by joining fellow community members and the ASLC Staff for beach cleanups in the month of July. ASLC staff will have prizes and educational resources so you can learn how to reduce your own plastic consumption! Saturday, July 12, 2025; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Check in at Seward Culvert No sign-up is required for participation. Guests under 18 must come with an adult or legal guardian. Gloves, trash bags, and hand sanitizing stations will be provided!   Other beach clean-ups this month: Monday, July 21, 2025; 5 - 7 p.m. Check in at Branson Pavilion

Join us for this week-long virtual fundraising event!    Sitting at the doorstep of the glacier-carved Kenai Fjords National Park and surrounded by a network of science-based partners, the Alaska SeaLife Center is uniquely positioned to study the region’s seabirds. Our avian team pairs field surveys with controlled studies of resident flocks to reveal how seabirds shape – and are shaped by – a changing environment, while providing hands-on opportunities for students and citizen scientists in our community. With a small gift, you can join this network and support research that guides conservation, informs husbandry, and inspires a new generation of seabird stewards and scientists.     Our "Roundup" event is held each fall on the Alaska SeaLife Center’s social media pages, and this year, we're focusing on our seabird research efforts at the ASLC.    Fans and followers from around the world can learn more about the critical seabird research being done at the ASLC with daily social media posts on Facebook and Instagram.  We hope these stories inspire donations that will benefit a mission-critical program at the Center. This week only (September 15 - 21, 2025) Become a Seabird Steward by donating $25 or more and receive a limited-edition seabird research supporter sticker! Join our flock of seabird stewards and help protect these incredible birds: Donate today!    This year's sticker, created by one of our talented in-house graphic designers:  A preview of the stories:  Photostory: Puffin Poop with a Puspose Blog: Kittlitz's Murrelet and the Kenai Fjords   Video: Voluntary Research with ASLC Common Murres Video: Part 1: Resurrection Bay Seabird Surveys | On the Water with ASLC Seabird Researchers! Video: Part 2: Resurrection Bay Seabird Surveys | The Importance of Long-term Data Collection

It’s Plastic Free July! Join the effort to reduce your single-use plastic and help keep plastic out of Resurrection Bay by joining fellow community members and the ASLC Staff for beach cleanups in the month of July. ASLC staff will have prizes and educational resources so you can learn how to reduce your own plastic consumption! Monday, July 21, 2025; 5 - 7 p.m. Check in at Branson Pavilion No sign-up is required for participation. Guests under 18 must come with an adult or legal guardian. Gloves, trash bags, and hand sanitizing stations will be provided!

Join us for a special community watch party at the Alaska SeaLife Center as we livestream "An Evening with Bill Nye live from Anchorage's Alaska Center for the Performing Arts – part of the University of Alaska Anchorage’s CAS Community Lecture Series. This is a unique opportunity to gather with fellow community members and science enthusiasts for an evening of thought-provoking conversation! Those attending the LiveStream event will have the chance to ask Bill Nye questions via a custom QR code. The stream will take place in the Bear Mountain Conference Room and be displayed on a large screen for group viewing. Seating is limited, and registration is recommended. RSVP here: https://24092.blackbaudhosting.com/24092/tickets?tab=2... The Alaska SeaLife Center’s doors will open at 6:20 pm, August 21, 2025, for registered guests. All tickets not claimed by 6:35 pm will be released for general admission. The program will start at 6:45 pm. This event is cohosted by the Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward Education Advocates, Seward Prevention Council, Seward Arts Council, and Chugach Regional Resource Commission, in partnership with the Seward Community Library and Museum.  

Seward Science Symposium Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, AK The Seward Science Symposium highlights local science and research, including Indigenous-led work, and aims to build pride, stewardship, and stronger connections between our community and the environment. Join us for a day of local science: talks by researchers, educators, and community members, a midday poster session (bring lunch or grab-and-go at The Porthole), and an evening film screening with a light-appetizer reception.  This event is free and all are welcome! Click the link below for details and registration (recommended as seating is limited). Register and Learn More Presented by Stewards of the Bay, in partnership with Chugach Regional Resources Commission, University of Alaska Fairbanks, National Park Service, and the Alaska SeaLife Center.  

  Tickets on sale now! Alaska SeaLife Center Soirée   The Alaska SeaLife Center’s annual Anchorage fundraising event returns to the Anchorage Museum to benefit marine research, education, and conservation. Guests will savor a bountiful selection of chef-inspired hors d’oeuvres, connect with others who share a deep passion for Alaska’s oceans, and enjoy the excitement of silent and live auctions featuring unique Alaskan experiences and treasures. Complimentary wine provided by Michael David Winery.   If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for this event, please email development@alaskasealife.org. Purchase tickets NOW!

Winter Nights Series Tuesday evenings – 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Unwind, connect, and spark your creativity at our SeaLife Winter Nights series. Designed for adults and young adults, these special evenings feature a mix of crafts, games, and interactive activities in a lively, social atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to get creative, connect with friends, or meet new people, this is your chance to experience the aquarium in a whole new way. Cost: $25 per night $175 for eight-night series package Space is limited; advanced reservation suggested – Click here to register Calendar of Events: January 13 – Paint Night: Dive into creativity and paint your own ocean-inspired masterpieces to take home. All supplies provided. January 20 – Ocean Trivia Night: Free Event - How well do you know the sea? Test your ocean IQ - top teams take home prizes. *January 27 – Craft Supply Swap & Create: Free Event - Bring your gently-used craft supplies to trade with others, and participate in a variety of ocean-themed crafts (materials provided). *This activity is open to all ages. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. February 3 – Marine Music Bingo: Free Event - Like Bingo, but with music from a live DJ and an ocean twist! Catch the right songs to win prizes (extensive music knowledge not required). February 10 – Nature Journaling:  Relax, socialize, and create a take-home nature journal as you wander the aquarium for inspiration. Supplies provided! *February 17 – Community Game Night: Free Event - Join us for an evening of friendly competition! Rotate through a variety of nature-themed games and activities and collect tickets for a chance to win prizes. *This activity is open to all ages. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. February 24 – Hand-Build Pottery: Join us for an evening of hands-on creativity! Learn basic pottery techniques and create your own masterpiece with inspiration from the aquarium’s animals. All materials provided – just bring your imagination and curiosity! March 3 – Yoga Under the Sea: Stretch your fins and join us for a serene evening of underwater-inspired yoga at the aquarium.

  Enjoy delicious soup served by Seward students in handcrafted ceramic bowls glazed by students and local artists.Take home a one-of-a-kind bowl and help send every 5th grader to KMTA Outdoor School Sleepover. A Zero-Waste Event honoring sustainability and our local marine habitats (Recommended donation for purchase of bowl with soup - $25 Recommended donation of soup with your own container - $5-15).   Join us for a special community watch party at the Alaska SeaLife Center as we livestream Cruisin’ Deep Time with Ray Troll & Kirk Johnson: The Travels of a Scientist and an Artist in search of Paleo America from Anchorage's Alaska Center for the Performing Arts – part of the University of Alaska Anchorage’s CAS Community Lecture Series. The stream will take place in the Bear Mountain Conference Room and will be displayed on a large screen for group viewing.  *Seating is limited for the Livestream portion of this event. Click here to register and secure your spot.    

Join us for an evening of food, fine wine, and fundraising while deepening your connection to the Alaska SeaLife Center and its mission As you explore the Center after hours, you’ll hear firsthand success stories — each a testament to the groundbreaking research, rescue, and education efforts made possible through your support. Thoughtfully paired food and wine selections will accompany you, and a mystery wine auction will run throughout the night. Don’t miss this chance to engage directly with our dedicated animal care and research staff while raising essential funds for Alaska’s marine ecosystems! Tickets are limited for this 21+ event (ID will be required at the door). Dress code is casual Alaskan cocktail! CLICK TO PURCHASE TICKETS    

I received my DVM in 1992 and PhD in physiological ecology in 2002, and the same year moved to Alaska to join the UAF and ASLC. I served as the interim director of science for the ASLC during 2010-2015. My research aims to understand adaptations and responses of marine species to environmental change, from interdisciplinary and integrative perspectives, and by applying a variety of experimental and observational research methods. I mostly, but not exclusively, work with marine birds. I am interested in applied ecology and seeking to address conservation and management objectives for marine species.  I’ve served on the spectacled and Steller’s eider recovery teams since 2002. Broadly, I am interested in the interface of environmental, animal, and human health, and shared One Health approaches and ways of knowing to solve challenges. I am also enthusiastic about citizen sciences and participatory research as an approach to data collection and science education. Marine ecology, conservation biology, citizen science, decision analysis, One Health

I was born in Washington DC but grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland. At Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, I received an Air Force ROTC scholarship and obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering and thought that I was done with school. I was in the Air Force for seven years and obtained a master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Dayton, Ohio. After I left the Air Force, I decided to pursue a veterinary degree. What intrigued me about medicine was the same thing that intrigued me about engineering, namely understanding how things worked. While I picked up required prerequisites and a second bachelor degree in Biology at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, I also volunteered at a local zoo and worked part time for the Wildlife Clinic at Tufts Veterinary School. My first blood drawing experience was in the field, sampling colonial nesting birds. I traveled across the country to attend veterinary school at Washington State University but also pursued external aquatic animal experiences, attending AquaVet at Wood’s Hole and doing an externship at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. After graduation, I moved back to the east coast and did a two year aquatic animal internship at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. At the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine I helped start a new stranding center for marine mammals and later at the University of Southern Maine I developed marine mammal cell cultures and investigated the effects of heavy metals on those cells. Wanting to return to spending more time working with whole animals and not just their cells, I crossed the country once again to accept a job at the Alaska SeaLife Center. As the Staff Veterinarian I assist with the preventative medicine program, research projects, and clinical care for birds, fish, and marine mammals including both captive and stranded animals. Marine animals as sentinels for ocean and human health, comparative beluga whale health in particular how it facilitates understanding the endangered Cook Inlet population, how information and expertise about free ranging wildlife and those housed in zoological collections help each other.

Pam received her Master ‘s of Science in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in 2006 and her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Iowa State University in 2000, including a year of course work in Marine Biology while on National Student Exchange at the University of Alaska Southeast.  She joined ASLC as a research intern in 1999 then continued as a Research Technician on projects with wild-caught captive animals that focused on behavioral responses, including common murre and halibut telemetry and crude oil dosing in Harlequin ducks.  In 2001, Pam’s interest in behavioral ecology led to her permanent position at ASLC on the Chiswell Island Remote Monitoring Project of Steller sea lions in Resurrection Bay, AK. Currently, Pam is a Research Associate that manages seasonal staff and is responsible for collecting daily behavioral observations focusing on maternal investment and population dynamics of sea lions in their natural environment.  Pam’s thesis investigated pupping site fidelity among individual female sea lions. Her current objectives include survival of branded animals, male reproductive success, and the effects of individual variation on maternal investment.   Behavior ecology, population dynamics, and marine conservation.

John first came to Alaska with the U.S. Coast Guard in 1985 and learned to operate a variety of vessels while servicing aids to navigation along the Gulf of Alaska coast.  After leaving the Coast Guard he earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Alaska Southeast, then a Master of Science degree through the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) while studying seabird ecology in Prince William Sound.  John has been working as a Research Associate at the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) since the summer of 2000.  His research focus is on the behavior and population dynamics of Steller sea lions and nesting seabirds, primarily through the use of remote video monitoring techniques.  He earned a Ph.D. degree from UAF with a dissertation study related to his sea lion research at ASLC.  John also continues to work as a part-time captain and naturalist for the tourist industry based in Seward, Alaska.  Behavior and population dynamics of Alaskan pinnipeds and seabirds Google Scholar

Wei Ying has worked in interdisciplinary and multicultural conservation projects both locally and internationally for almost two decades. An experienced executive with a passion for marine science, the pursuit of studies and career has brought her to many different states and countries. Amidst snowstorms, Wei Ying joined ASLC and the community of Seward in December 2021 as the Chief Science and Education Officer (CSEO). As CSEO, Wei Ying reenergized and expanded the science and education programs to develop and implement a visionary science agenda. Wei Ying was named President and CEO on March 31, 2024. Wei Ying marries her social science training and love of strategy to build programs that engage diverse stakeholders in conservation to achieve measurable outcomes. She is committed to the establishment of inclusive discourses and socially just environmental policies, as well as dismantling the systems of power and privilege in the conservation arena. Wei Ying earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Environmental Studies at Brown University and continues to keep her fingertips in invasion ecology research. She has been the recipient of multiple research fellowships including Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in Environmental Communication and Margaret Sheridan Community Learning Award, as well as a participant of several leadership programs such as Toyota-Audubon Conservation Leader, Rhode Island Foundation Emerging Non-Profit Leader, and AZA Executive Leadership.