Phytoplankton are wonderous organisms and form the basis of most marine food webs. However, some of them produce biotoxins which can adversely affect humans and animals. Presenter Neil Harrington will talk about just how amazing phytoplankton are, types of biotoxins in the NW and how to keep yourself safe the next time you go clamming.

Neil Harrington has worked as an Environmental Biologist at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s Natural Resources Department for 8 years. His work focuses on harmful algal blooms, native Olympia oyster habitat restoration, invasive European green crabs, Dungeness crab larval monitoring and outreach and education. He represents the Tribe on the Dungeness River Audubon Center Board, the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee and the National Harmful Algal Bloom Committee. Previous to working for the Tribe, he worked as a shellfish biologist for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, as the Water Quality Manager for Jefferson County and as an organic farmer. He earned a BA in Biology and a Master of Science in Biological Oceanography from the University of California, Santa Cruz.