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NEWS FOR BAINBRIDGE
BEACH EXPLORERS
January, 2012 | |
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Welcome to the enews from Bainbridge Beach Naturalists. You are receiving this email because you indicated an interest in learning of opportunities to explore Bainbridge Island beaches with our naturalists. Some of you have already met us on the beach, and others have heard or read about our activities and requested this email.
The Bainbridge Beach Naturalists are volunteers who have received training in marine biology and shoreline ecology from the Kitsap County WSU Extension - Beach Naturalist program, or the Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist program. We love being out on our wonderful beaches, especially at low tide events, and even more, we are pleased to share our knowledge with others who are interested.
This newsletter includes information about coming events and opportunities to explore with the Bainbridge Beach Naturalists, right here on the island. While winter nights might seem an unlikely time to explore the shallow waters of our shoreline, what we find there is amazing in terms of variety and quantities of things that we typically don't see during our summer day trips. And nighttime is when the low tides occur. Come and see for yourself!
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JANUARY 21 NIGHT EXPLORATION
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Saturday, January 21, 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm at Bainbridge Ferry Dock Beach 
This beach is amazingly productive given the amount of disturbance it experiences every hour. Unlike other beaches inside our harbors, the action of the ferries disperses the silt that would otherwise build up on the beach. It also oxygenates the water, and stirs up potential meals for the invertebrates living there. We have found an astonishing array of nudibranchs (beautiful sea slugs) at this beach. This beach is also great sea star and moon snail territory. And this will be a good -2.1 tide.
Parking for this beach is on Bjune or Brien, near the Senior Community Center. Walk down into Waterfront Park and follow the waterfront trail east across the wooden footbridge. Cross the road (Harbor Drive) and follow the public shore access trail alongside the condos. If you are walking off the ferry, cross Olympic Drive at the first pedestrian light, and go down hill on Harbor Drive. On the left you will see the sign and trail for the public shore access to the beach. Bring your strongest flashlight and wear footwear that allows you to wade in the shallow water. Warm clothes are particularly important if you are to enjoy this night walk. If you feel unsteady walking down a rocky beach in the dark, a hiking stick can give you added stability. No sign-up is necessary to attend a beach exploration with us -- just show up at the site and look for beach naturalists in their neon-orange vests on the beach. You will find us with the bobbing lights.
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WANT TO LEARN MORE?
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If spending time on the beach at low tide has whetted your appetite for learning more about our marine wildlife and the nearshore environment, there are two great programs where you can train to become a beach naturalist. These are both held in the spring time, one on each side of the Puget Sound.
WSU Extension, Kitsap County Beach Naturalist Training will be held on Fridays, during the day, from March 23 through May 11. Classes are in Bremerton at the Norm Dicks Government Center. The cost for the training and materials is $60. More information will be posted on the WSU Extension Kitsap County website.
There will be an informational meeting in Silverdale on Friday March 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. We will announce the location in a later newsletter.
Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Training is held in the evening at the Aquarium. Naturalists will receive training from marine and interpretative experts on six evenings (March 13, 20, April 4, 17, 24, May 1) and three weekend days (March 25, April 7, May 6). Once trained, volunteers spend three spring or summer low-tide days educating visitors about beach ecology and beach etiquette at Constellation Park (S. Alki), Lincoln Park, Golden Gardens, Carkeek Park, Olympic Sculpture Park Beach, Seahurst Park, Des Moines Beach Park, Redondo Beach, and Richmond Beach.
Note that all the evening classes are on Tuesdays, with the exception of April 4, a Wednesday. To sign up or for more information, please call or email Charlotte Spang at (206) 245-0143.. You may also contact the program coordinator, Janice Mathisen, (206) 386-4365.
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Contact us with any questions at 206-842-5133 (Maradel) or 206-780-0982 (Gerlind) or send us an email.
Join us for a night exploration!
Sincerely,
Bainbridge Beach Naturalists
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BainbridgeBeach@gmail.com
  
Thanks to Sustainable Bainbridge for use of this email distribution program
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