There has been an increase in harbor seal strandings at Fort Flagler this year. 

Learn why and when they’re on the beaches — along with other details of their lives and what you should do if you see one — during a special presentation in October.

Hosted by Friends of Fort Flagler, the event will feature one of the area’s premier experts on marine mammals: Casey Mclean, executive director of SR3 (Sealife Response Rehabilitation Research).

Mclean is a licensed veterinary technician who has a degree in marine biology and a long-standing passion and experience in marine animal medical care, rehabilitation, and conservation.

This special online program will be offered free to the public at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13. 

To register, send your name, email and the city of residence to FortFlaglerFriends@gmail.com to receive an email response with a link to the presentation.

SR3 is Washington’s first dedicated marine animal hospital, a nonprofit organization that focuses on response, rehabilitation and research of local marine wildlife. This fall, the organization is slated to open branch in the Des Moines Marina, just south of Seattle. (To learn more about SR3, visit www.sealifer3.org.)

The presentation is, officials said, the first of a planned slate of new offerings from the Friends of Fort Flagler. 

“This is our first interpretive program, as we’re expanding our focus to include the natural history of the park,” said director Deisy Bach.

Friends of Fort Flagler State Park is a nonprofit with a mission “to restore, preserve, and protect the natural and historical resources of Fort Flagler, as well as to provide assistance and support for the park staff.”

More information can be found at www.friendsoffortflagler.org.