PROTECT RAT ISLAND
We invite you to join us in protecting this special place by signing the petition (link below) for its permanent protection. Every signature counts!
By adding your name, you’re not only supporting the cause but also amplifying our efforts with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The more Jefferson County residents who sign, the stronger our collective voice will be.
Reach out to Deisy Bach at fortflaglerfriends@gmail.com with any questions or requests for further information.
Petition Photos Courtesy of Barry McKenzie
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
Rat Island off of Fort Flagler State Park is a hidden gem right in our backyard, serving as a crucial habitat for many protected, threatened, and endangered animals. Unfortunately, these vital spaces are rapidly disappearing, making it essential for us to take action if we want to safeguard these species.
Thank you!
WELCOME TO THE 2025 Docent Program
Preserving the Delicate Habitat of Rat Island and Its Wildlife, Join Our Docent Program in 2025
We invite you to be a part of our ongoing efforts to protect the delicate habitat and diverse wildlife on Rat Island by joining our Docent Program in 2025.
Building on the success of our inaugural program in 2023, which was conducted in collaboration with WDFW and our State Park, we are excited to expand our team of dedicated docents. Last year, we saw the participation of 25 enthusiastic individuals, and we are eager to welcome more passionate volunteers this year.
Based on valuable feedback from our docents, we have made enhancements to the program. This year, the program will run from Memorial weekend through August, coinciding with extreme negative low tides that allow access to Rat Island by foot. Docents will be engaged in 4-hour shifts, providing an opportunity to stand, sit, and walk the spit while educating visitors and observing the island's unique wildlife.
Our Caspian Terns, in particular, depend on the crucial role of docents in their survival. With the Avian Flu devastating approximately 80% of the Salish Sea population in 2023, protecting their habitat has become more vital than ever. Rat Island offers one of the few remaining sanctuaries for these birds to breed without human intervention. Your involvement as a docent is instrumental in ensuring the continued existence of this vulnerable species.
To prepare you for this meaningful role, we offer comprehensive training conducted by a diverse group of professionals. This training equips you with the necessary information and tools to be an effective and knowledgeable docent, contributing significantly to the conservation of Rat Island and its wildlife.
2025 RAT ISLAND DOCENT PROGRAM TRAINING
H1N1 Manuscript
March 25th, 2025
This manuscript on the H5N1 outbreak in terns, gulls, and harbor seals on Rat Island has been published by Frontier Vetrinary Science!
Read the Article PDF below.
A comprehensive epidemiological approach documenting an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus clade 2.3.4.4b among gulls, terns, and harbor seals in the Northeastern Pacific
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.