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Beach Monitoring is one of Harbor WildWatch's signature Participatory Science Programs where twice a year (summer & winter), we collect data from different beaches throughout the South Sound area. This information helps us determine how the beaches change over time and could be useful in determining the impact of a future natural or human induced event.For Winter Beach monitoring, it just so happens that the lowest tides are during the dark of the night which adds an adventurous twist to our monitoring procedures. While winter Beach Monitoring is a great excuse to visit your favorite beaches at night, you will need to gear up differently than our summertime programs. Because this event is a mix of only the best conditions, COLD, DARK, and WET, here is a list of items to think about having with you: Headlamp, rain coat, rain pants, rain boots, fleece or wool layers, toe warmers, hand warmers, neck gator, hat, gloves, thermos of warm beverage, adventurous attitude!
Participation with these special participatory science events gets you, your friends, and family directly involved with the protection of our local beaches and who knows, may even inspire future ecologists. Mark your calendar for any or all of these upcoming events. Remember, you don't have to have a science background to participate, nor are you required to stay for the entire duration of the typically 3-4 hour program. All ages welcome.
We meet in the parking area of the beach at the scheduled start time to organize gear before heading out to our monitoring site on the beach. Because these events are late, it's not likely that the organizers will be early to these events so don't panic if no one is there BEFORE the scheduled start time. We will usually take about 15 minutes past the start time in the parking area to do introductions and organize gear before walking to the beach site. See below for more detailed directions about the specific monitoring location and what to do if you arrive late.
Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve/DeMolay/Fox Island Sand Spit/Bella Bella Beach: This is a beach with many names. Meet in the parking area at the scheduled start time before going down the hill to the beach. If you arrive later, walk down the trail to the lawn and then walk down the driveway to the beach. We are not entirely sure what to expect for beach access as the seawall removal is anticipated to have just been completed - so do what make sense to get to the beach. Our monitoring site is on the west side of the spit and away from the point of the spit (not the protected cove with docks). The monitoring location is to your left (when facing the water) and near the entrance so you should notice us pretty immediately.
This program is brought to you through a partnership between Harbor WildWatch and PenMet Parks. For more information about PenMet Parks, check out their website: https://penmetparks.org/
Contact [email protected] for information prior to the event. (It's not likely that I will check emails night of the program).
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Fox Island Sand Spit, 53 Bella Bella Dr, Fox Island, WA 98333-9747, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
