University of Maryland ecologist Jackie Grebmeier presents on shipboard research at a Strait Science lecture. Photo by Gay Sheffield/Alaska Sea Grant.
What do walrus monitoring, the Tracy Arm tsunami and salmon bycatch have in common?
All of them are important topics for audiences in Alaska’s coastal communities. Which is why each has been the focus of a recent presentation at one of Alaska Sea Grant’s three public lecture series: Strait Science Series, the Petersburg Science Series and Bristol Bay Lunch and Learn.
Strait Science Series has offered evening talks since 2012 on current and recent research developments in the Bering Strait region. Presentations are held frequently, averaging more than two per month in recent years. Speakers include researchers and managers from state and federal agencies, universities, nonprofits, wildlife commissions and research institutions.
“The Bering Strait region is often described by researchers, managers and academics as ‘logistically difficult’ or ‘hard to talk to,’” noted Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program agent Gay Sheffield, who co-founded and manages the series. “But the region relies on the marine and land environments for nutritional, cultural and economic well-being and is undergoing comprehensive change. So people need to hear about local research — especially the results — ASAP.”
Based in Nome, the series is co-sponsored by Alaska Sea Grant and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Northwest Campus. All lectures were delivered in person until 2019. Since then, most presentations have been virtual, though some continue to be held in person at the campus in Nome. Many receive coverage in the regional newspaper, the Nome Nugget. Topics in 2026 have ranged from surface trawl surveys, to extreme weather and climate events, to the tracking of heritage pieces from the Bering Strait region in museums across the U.S. Midwest.
The Petersburg Science Series began in 2010 and recently celebrated a milestone of its own, hosting its 100th presentation in January. Held in collaboration with the Petersburg Marine Mammal Center and the Petersburg Public Library, the series features scientists and professionals discussing a variety of natural sciences subjects. Recent topics have included landslides, water level monitoring and Dungeness crabs.
Almost all of the talks are held in person. “I still really prioritize face-to-face meetings, but have added a few talks over Zoom this last year on topics of very high interest and local importance,” stated Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program agent Sunny Rice, who organizes the series. “That is really key for me — that the talk be tailored specifically for Petersburg folks and is pertinent to their lives.”
The talks are generally held monthly at the Petersburg Public Library during the winter months. Most are not recorded, but a few are viewable on the Petersburg Marine Mammal Center YouTube page. They are advertised locally in Petersburg, and people can also learn about them by emailing Sunny Rice to subscribe to her email list.
Bristol Bay Lunch and Learn is a relative newcomer to Alaska Sea Grant’s repertoire, dating to 2023. Nearly 50 lectures have been delivered in the series, most available for viewing on the Alaska Sea Grant Bristol Bay Lunch and Learn YouTube channel.
The talks are a partnership between Alaska Sea Grant, the UAF Bristol Bay Campus, and the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation. The latter helps organize the events, provides free pizza, and offers attendees education credits for some of their programs. While the subjects often center on commercial fishing, recent topics have included broader material like Alaska bats, harmful algal blooms and suicide prevention.
“There’s a lot of important work and research being done in Bristol Bay, or that could impact Bristol Bay, but that information isn’t always shared to these remote communities,” said Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program agent Tav Ammu, lead organizer for the talks. “The goal of the Lunch and Learns is to get subject matter experts into our community, either physically or via Zoom, to help share that information and answer questions live.”
The hourlong talks are held on Tuesdays at noon roughly every other week. They take place on the UAF Bristol Bay Campus in Dillingham and can also be viewed on Zoom by calling the campus number, (907) 842-5109. They are advertised on the UAF Bristol Bay Campus Facebook page, among other places.
Anyone interested in giving a presentation at Strait Science Series, the Petersburg Science Series or Bristol Bay Lunch and Learn should contact Gay Sheffield, Sunny Rice or Tav Ammu, respectively.
