To many folks, marmots are those furry mountain-dwelling animals that whistle loudly when you approach. (That’s why they’re nicknamed “Whistling Jack.”) In our office, they’ll be the focal point of a fun celebration on Tuesday involving students from a Seattle elementary school.

The reason for this event is that there’s a new law (SB 5071) that went into effect Sunday declaring the Olympic marmot as the state’s endemic mammal. This also makes the marmot Washington’s newest state symbol.

“Marmot Day” is a way for the Office of Secretary of State to recognize and celebrate the newest addition to the list of Washington’s state symbols. The event starts at 11 a.m. on July 28 in the Secretary of State’s front lobby on the second floor of the Legislative Building. Sen. Ken Jacobsen of Seattle, who sponsored the marmot bill, will be on hand, as will a teacher and some of the students from Seattle’s Wedgwood Elementary who thought of the marmot bill and testified in favor of it this year.      

Olympic marmots are found on Hurricane Ridge and other parts of the Olympic Peninsula. Marmots would make Homer Simpson envious: They hibernate most of the year and spend summer days  sunbathing on rocks.   

We’re conducting a poll to come up with a name for a female Olympic marmot found in the front lobby of our office. Vote on which name you want for our office marmot… we’ll announce the winning name at the “Marmot Day” event.

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