Volunteers needed for seal counts

 The Wahkiakum County Marine Resources Committee’s Pinniped Project is looking for volunteers to watch, count and document pinnipeds (i.e. seals and sea lions) in the Columbia River Estuary.

 The MRC will sponsor a pinniped training session on February 16, from 1-4 p.m. at the Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge office. It is handicap accessible.

 The purpose of this citizen science project is to gather information on seal and sea lion numbers on the lower river, similar to data already collected upriver. The MRC also hopes to give a clearer picture of population size and predation on fish in our area.

 Class size is limited; contact the WSU Extension office by Wednesday, February 13 to attend, at 795-3278 or donna.westlind@wsu.edu.