c/o Nisqually NWR Complex
100 Brown Farm Road
Olympia, WA 98506
(206) 753-9467

Directions: Located at the mouth of Discovery Bay in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The island is closed to the public to protect nesting seabirds and harbor seals.

Primary Wildlife: 72 percent of the se birds in Puget Sound nest on Protection Island. Estimated 17,000 pairs of rhinoceros auklets nesting. Also nesting by glaucous winged gulls, pelagic commorants, tufted puffins, pigeon guillemots, double-crested commorants, and black oystercatchers. Pupping and hauling out area for harbor seals. Bald eagles nest.

Habitat: A 364-acre island covered with grass and low brush, small timbered area; has high sandy bluffs for seabird nesting, and low sandspits on two ends of the island.

Recreation and Education: Visitors may view the island from their boats, but the island itself is closed to public access. Visitors should stay at least 200 yards off shore to avoid flushing adult birds off their nests.

Special Note: The 48 acre Zella M. Schulk Seabird Sanctuary (on the W end on the island) is managed by the Washington State Department of Wildlife.