Recently, ThunderWord staff sat down with Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton to discuss her involvement with Highline’s Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST). Mayor Buxton chatted about the recent “Shark in the Park” festival, pressing conservation issues, as well as her passion in creating educational opportunities for the Des Moines community.  

Question: Our local MaST center has over 250 native Puget Sound species, how does this biodiversity help foster community pride and drive local tourism? 

Mayor Buxton: “I think that [the MaST] is a fantastic educational experience, a family experience. You can bring your kids and they get really charged about that. Not only from the species display that you’re talking about, but if you’ve been in there, the tanks are open. There are two open tanks where you can stick your hands in there…touch a starfish. And have a fantastic educational experience, for kids and families.”

“As far as tourism, we haven’t really measured it. There’s no data set, but whenever we have festivals like ‘Shark in the Park’…or ‘Squid-A-Rama’…that’s when we notice [more tourism]. [The MaST] is a resource, it’s a gathering space, for opportunities like that. So if you want to have a festival or celebrate something, it’s a great venue.”

Q: How has the MaST Center influenced civic involvement – say volunteering or more advocacy surrounding marine issues? How do you support these connections as Mayor? 

M. B.: “Well, they are so creative in using the expertise that they have in participating in lots of different community [events]. So not only do they create community events centered down at the MaST Center but then the MaST Center becomes mobile…They will bring what they have, they will go out into the community and they will educate.”

“A fantastic thing they participate in is called the ‘Underwater Clean Up‘. They set up a big booth, tarp, and tanks. [The MaST] partnered with the college, and scuba divers, and the Sea Life Response Rehabilitation Research Organization. With scuba divers they go in and pick up all kinds of garbage under the water…They sort through any sea animals they can find in whatever they bring up. Then they weigh and display all the garbage.”

“Kids come by, and we say ‘Look! This is what happens when we throw things in the water.’ Then they can see the living creatures that were caught in the garbage, and were rescued.” 

“That is something that is big…[that] the MaST Center does. They just bring education out into the community.”

Q: Tell me more about the Underwater Clean Up experience. Were you there sorting through the garbage?

M. B.: “Yes, I was. Honestly, it’s really fun. I’m down on my knees, I’m in there cutting away, but then the kids come in and they get to touch things. It’s a fantastic opportunity to just visit with people, and educate people.”

Q: How have you seen the MaST mission in conservationism play a role in the work that you’ve participated in with them?

M. B.: “I’ve witnessed their impact in an event called ‘Storm Fest’. This is where every single sixth grader in the Highline School District comes down at some point during a three day period and gets this fantastic hands-on experience with marine life. [They learn] what happens to storm water on the ground. [Students explore] where it goes, how it affects our streams and creeks, and how they empty into the Salish Sea.”

“And again, it’s just a ton of hands-on experiences. [The students] use microscopes, they gather creatures and the MaST Center participates in that. They come down and encourage that. One thing I love about the MaST Center is their availability for partnerships. They are down for whatever sounds fun. They will bring their expertise to whatever is going on. They are a fantastic organization for that and make for great partners.”

Q: What do future city partnerships with the MaST look like? Is the City of Des Moines seeking to include the MaST in upcoming events?

M. B.: “Absolutely…I could create a list probably 50 miles long of all the [events]. So would Rus Higley (MaST Center director). Everything excites him. Every kind of partnership…any opportunity possible with them, especially being on the waterfront in Des Moines.”

“Some of the organizations that pair really well together with ideas and events are the SR3, Highline College, Highline School District…Friends of Saltwater Park, King County Public Health. Just so many organizations working together. They all seem to communicate really well.”

Q: Anything else you’d like to leave with our readers?

M. B.: “We love to partner with the college and the students. Any opportunity we can develop, or work for the students to come down and learn, help out or support them. It is fantastic.”