June 5th, 2025 by Seward Folly Staff

The Seward Seabird Festival transformed the coastal community into a haven for bird lovers this past weekend, bringing together families, scientists, and curious visitors for a celebration of Alaska’s feathered residents. At the heart of the festivities was keynote speaker Dr. John Piatt, a leading seabird researcher whose work has shaped our understanding of marine ecosystems across North America.

The festival, hosted collaboratively by the Seward SeaLife Center, Kenai Fjords National Park, the City of Seward, Major Marine Tours, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, offered something for everyone. Children marched in a lively seabird parade, listened to stories, and tackled outdoor activities — all in pursuit of the coveted Jr. Seabirder badge. Meanwhile, adults competed in seabird trivia at the Yukon Bar and joined a special birding cruise with Major Marine to Northwestern Fjord.

But the real draw was Dr. Piatt. With more than 200 research publications and a career decorated by a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific Seabird Group and multiple honors from the Department of the Interior, Piatt’s presence elevated the event. His presentation on puffins — described as a keystone species that helps define entire ecosystems — packed the classroom at the Kenai Fjords Harbor Visitor’s Center.

Dr. Piatt’s talk dove deep into the hidden lives of seabirds, touching on everything from feeding habits and ocean food webs to the looming threats posed by climate change, overfishing, and pollution. Particularly sobering was his account of the 2015-2016 common murre die-off, when nearly four million birds — half of Alaska’s population — perished during an unprecedented marine heatwave. The event, known as “The Blob,” underscored just how fragile these marine communities can be in the face of environmental changes.

Other highlights of the weekend included a “paint-a-puffin” session led by Ashley Seabolt, where participants painted puffins, and talks by wildlife biologist Adrienne McGill of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (previously Islands and Oceans), and Kelsey Griffin, Kenai Fjords National Park seabird researcher.

By Sunday evening, the festival had wrapped up, but the excitement lingered. The standing-room-only presentations and enthusiastic crowds proved there’s a growing community eager to celebrate — and protect — Alaska’s seabirds. Organizers say they’re already planning next year’s event, hopeful that Dr. Piatt and other leading scientists will return to share their passion and expertise with Seward once again.

Tuula Hollmen, John Piatt, Sadie Ulman, John Maniscalco