In 1985, Dian Hardy and other local activists from Jenner discovered that the harbor seals at Goat Rock State Beach were in greater danger from beach visitors and unleashed dogs than from the pollution of a recent sewage spill into the Russian River. In response to these concerns, they organized shifts on the beach at the river mouth where they educated visitors about the federally protected marine mammals at the beach. This began one of the first Stewards-supported programs, Seal Watch. Today, volunteers supported by Stewards assist the public in safeguarding this local harbor seal habitat, the largest on the Sonoma Coast.
Tasks: Seal Watch volunteers offer interpretation in sight of the rookery at Goat Rock Beach near the mouth of the Russian River or at the boat launch near the Jenner Visitor Center. Park visitors are informed about the harbor seals’ identification, natural history, their international protection under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and overall conservation with the help of a Seal Watcher. Beachgoers from near and far are able to view the animals from a safe distance with help of ropes, signs, and binoculars maintained by Seal Watch volunteers. Read the Seal Watch duty statement for a complete description.
Meeting times: The Seal Watch season extends from March through Labor Day. Shifts at Goat Rock Beach are each 3 hours on weekends, with the AM shift from 11 AM – 2 PM and the PM shift from 2 PM – 5 PM. Shifts at the boat launch in Jenner are from 10 AM — 1 PM on weekends.
Training and requirements: New volunteers are required to attend one General Orientation and both Seal Watch training sessions. Volunteers may then shadow experienced volunteers until they feel comfortable doing shifts in pairs or on their own. All volunteers are encouraged to attend ongoing trainings throughout the year to further their education. To schedule yourself for a shift, use the TeamUp calendar or contact Stewards office for assistance.
Become a volunteer! Start your application process by contacting Volunteer Coordinator Bette Meritt at [email protected].
On this page:
1. Seal Watch Volunteer Leaders
2. Contact Monthly Coordinators to schedule or re-schedule a shift
3. Seal Watch Volunteer Calendar
4. Seal Watch Information and Helpful Websites
5. Reporting Wildlife Disturbances or Concerns
6. Fan Mail (included photos!)
Volunteer Leaders
Equipment Manager: Contact Stewards at 707-869-9177 ext. 1
Seal Watch Volunteer Calendar
Seal Watch Information and Helpful Websites
- Seal Watch Info Card
- Seal Watch Shift Report Form
- Windy – Forcasts wind
- Bodega Ocean Observing Mode: Includes webcam – current and historical temps, wind & ocean conditions
- Ventusky – Forecasts weather, wind and ocean conditions
- Seal Watch Docent Manual
Video and News Articles
- Press Democrat: Where to see Harbor Seals 3.25.2022
- Gulls Protecting Nesting Territory – Although about Herring Gulls, this applies to Western Gulls as well.
Reporting Wildlife Disturbances or Concerns
Email Stewards Staff – Report a problem or concern from your shift.
Marine Mammal Center – Report abandoned or injured marine mammals.
Wildlife Disturbance Form – Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary form for reporting seabird and marine mammal disturbances.
Fan Mail
4.25.2022 – … I was out there today again, very windy…. and lots and lots of seal pups. — Photographer, Dianne Monroe (See attached photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4, photo 5)
4.24.2022 – … It seems the seals really appreciate having that area sealed off. That entire shore was littered with mom’s and pups, possibly as many as 15 pairs, until midday when we witnessed the birth of one more pup… . — Greg Armstrong
4.24.2022 – What a glorious day it was Sunday, so sunny and clear. And all the visitors were so engaging and nice! Attached is a picture of newborns! — Frieda Weiss.
4.23.2022 – I’m not sure if you can see this very well as I filmed it from across the estuary from my kayak. Watch a seal bouncing around. She was giving birth. In this clip you can see the head of the seal emerging/shiny. It appears as though people are close by, but I think the seals are down a level lower, where they couldn’t see (the people). — Cindy Lima. (See attached video)
4.22.2022 – I wanted to commend the folks out at Seal Watch. This group today were working extra hard to protect the seals. I do not know their names, I can’t drive, but I see that they were very patient and trying everything to protect the seals and to move the ropes as needed. — Mary Fowler.
4.3.2022 – Last week we went out to Goat Rock to watch the seals. My family had never seen seals in the wild before (we are from Nevada) so this was a real treat. Met someone who works at your company who was very nice and told us all about the seals. Thank you! — Janette Hall.
3.28.2022 – I can’t believe how many seals are out in Jenner! The volunteer protecting them answered the (many) questions from my inquisitive 9 year old… great people. — Susan Miller.
3.15.2022 – Attached is a photo I took of the seals from the cliff on the Jenner side. What a great place to view the seals! Talk about a birds-eye view! — Phil Lucchesi
