Harbor WildWatch

Harbor WildWatch is an environmental education organization established in 2004 by Gig Harbor resident Dee Dee Holser. Its mission is to inspire stewardship for Puget Sound and the greater Salish Sea by providing learning and monitoring opportunities about the environment. The organization provides hundreds of interactive programs annually to over 30,000 residents and visitors in Pierce and Kitsap Counties, Washington.

The Marine Life Center, which opened in 2024 at their 3207 Harborview Drive location, features marine aquaria and a touch tank where visitors can see local sea creatures up close. Harbor WildWatch also leads various public programs, including guided walking tours at beaches, salmon tours, and "Pier Into the Night" events that allow for underwater viewing. Community members can participate in participatory science programs, helping collect data on marine invertebrates, sea star wasting, forage fish, salmon, and invasive species like the European Green Crab.

Beyond public engagement, Harbor WildWatch provides educational resources for youth, including STEM classroom and field workshops for K-12 students. They also manage the Harbor Hill Environmental Sanctuary, a 15-acre nature sanctuary focused on environmental education and habitat enhancement. Additionally, the organization supports a Storm Drain Art project in Gig Harbor, which uses sidewalk murals to highlight the connection between storm drains and the Salish Sea.