Our Team

As Executive Director, Julia focuses at the intersection of communicating about the great science (natural and social) COASST does, managing our people resources, and writing that next grant that keeps the office vibrant. Want to explore how you can help COASST sustain great science and expand our programming?  Contact Julia.

Julia started her academic career as a starving artist, only dimly aware of organismal biology and natural history. However, as art is more difficult than science (!), Julia found herself (while still an undergrad) immersed in marine biology as a visiting student at the Duke University Marine Lab. Since then, it’s been science all the way. After coming to the University of Washington in 1990, Julia discovered conservation in the way that most field biologists do, by watching the organisms and habitats she had been working on, and in, disappear and degrade as a consequence of inadvertent human activities. At the same time, Julia met many people who were watching local resources and ecosystems change, and wondering what to do about it. These experiences led her to create a program for citizens with a strong component of marine conservation, a foundation of basic science, and a healthy dose of enthusiastic teaching and outreach—the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team.

As Participant Coordinator, Allie sets up trainings, refreshers, and other COASST events; works through the start-up processes personally with each new participant; and keeps the COASST internship program soaring. In a spare moment you might also find Allie writing and editing our newsletters and blog posts to keep everyone up-to-date. If you have a questions about your survey data, your partners, your beach coverage, or COASST supplies – call Allie!

Allie joined COASST in June 2023. She has worked in environmental and wilderness fields for over a decade, and holds a Master’s degree in Marine and Environmental Affairs from the University of Washington. Outside of COASST Allie can be found mountain biking or skiing through the beautiful mountains of the Pacific Northwest, doing pottery in her garage studio, writing nature stories for children, or trying to tire out her energetic dog, Finn!

As Science Coordinator, Florence interfaces directly with all our data users and science and resource management partners. She is responsible for managing the day-to-day science of the beached bird module, and working with our IT partners to keep our database and data entry portal running smoothly. Want to explore using COASST data, or partnering with COASST on a project? Reach out to Florence!

Florence joined COASST in January 2025 as Science Coordinator, bringing 15+ years of ecological fieldwork experience in marine science. Previously, as a Research Biologist for Pacific Whale Foundation, she has been the Point of Contact for Happywhale (a community science whale fluke matching project) as well as a coordinator for the Great Whale Count (Hawaii’s longest-running community whale counting effort). Florence completed her Master’s degree in Wildlife Science at Oregon State University where she investigated the fine-scale foraging ecology of gray whales, and is excited to return to the University of Washington where she completed her undergraduate degree in Biological Oceanography. Outside the office, Florence enjoys contra dancing and fiber arts including spinning, weaving, knitting, and basketry.

Our beached bird verifier, Charlie is the acknowledged expert on marine birds (and, well, any bird) and his work includes examining each and every dead bird photo a participant submits in our program, comparing it to the datasheet, and coming up with a definitive species ID.  Wondering whether you’ve got it right? Send a note to Charlie!

For Charlie, looking at beached birds day in and day out is anything but morbid: through this unconventional window into what’s going on in the world of seabirds, he enjoys seeing the comings and goings of the seasons, and is always on the lookout for an unusual or interesting pattern. These same rewards drew him to a pastime of birding, that has always guided his way. Watching new COASSTers pick up (and master!) beached bird ID and offering help along the way is another rewarding part of being the data verifier. The natural ebb and flow of verification work also allows him to indulge in live birds full time in the summers, often engaging in biological research with his wife in Alaska.