Welcome to Rat Island Docent Program
Location
Rat Island — which is part of the the WDFW-managed Marrowstone Wildlife Area Unit in Port Townsend Bay — is closed to public access through Aug. 31 to protect wildlife, including nesting shorebirds and seals with pups.
The island is closed from the vegetation line on the north end to the southern edge. The adjacent spit off of Fort Flagler State Park remains open. More information about the area is available at: https://bit.ly/44ne24F
Photo shows a map with the Rat Island closure area indicated in red, with Fort Flagler State Park on Marrowstone Island labeled to the right (east) across a small channel of shallow water.
Image & content courtesy of partners in protection the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Steps to become a RAT ISLAND docent with FOFF
1. Become a Docent
2. Training for New and Returning Docents
2. Training for New and Returning Docents
Seals and Seabirds need your help. Join the docent team. Welcome park visitors and guide them to keep a safe distance and avoid Rat Island during the summer
pupping and nesting season.
No experience needed — training included.
2. Training for New and Returning Docents
2. Training for New and Returning Docents
2. Training for New and Returning Docents
This training will prepare docents to engage the public with accurate, science-based information about wildlife, habitat protection, and responsible recreation—while serving as friendly, informed ambassadors on the beach.
3. Shift Registration
2. Training for New and Returning Docents
3. Shift Registration
After finishing the first two steps and committing to 3 shifts, you'll be able to pick your dates as soon as the link goes live.
Thank you for being ambassadors for wildlife and conservation.
OUR PARTNERS
FOFF Working to protect Rat Island with Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Friends of Fort Flagler has been working with Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife to provide some protection to Rat Island during the Caspian Tern nesting and Harbor Seal pupping season which occurs during July and August.
The Goal of our Docent Program for Rat Island
The goal is to have docents posted at the end of the Fort Flagler spit, across from Rat Island during extremely low tides. There will be signage discouraging folks from walking or kayaking on the island. The docents will take the opportunity to answer questions and talk about the value of protecting the habitat and wildlife, and how our presence may disturb the chicks and pups.