2012 Beach Naturalist Training Began April 5th
The Beach Naturalists Program is hands on, working with people who come to our local beaches. Beach Naturalists have the opportunity to work with people who have come to the beach seeking a personal connection with the water. Volunteers work to create a greater understanding of the South Puget Sound and its estuaries. They talk about how everyday choices can have a positive impact on our water quality.
Beach Naturalist volunteers are asked to commit 12 training hours followed by at least 4 days on the beach during the months of June, July, and August. Training begins in April 5th. For more information, please contact Leihla, Program Coordinator, at 360-888-0565 or leihla@sseacenter.org.
2012 training fees are $50 for new and $40 for returning Beach Naturalists. Training has been modified this year to offer a refresher for those returning and the full training for new people plus on the beach sessions.
Review of 2011 Beach Naturalist Program
In 2011, the Beach Naturalists Program made over 4,000 contacts at the beach, committed 300 volunteer hours, identified over 50 species, and held 27 free-to-the-public days of programming.
Prior to volunteering at the beach, Beach Naturalists received twelve hours of training that includes topics from seaweeds to whales to interpretative skills. A special thank you to all of our expert presenters that gave their time to prepare our Beach Naturalist volunteers. They include:
- Jeff Adams, Marine Water Quality Specialist, Washington Sea Grant
- Jessica Bennet, BEACH Program Data Manager, Department of Ecology
- Joe Hiss, marine biologist
- Jennifer Hopper, Education and Outreach Coordinator, Taylor Shellfish
- Jessie Huggins, Marine Mammal Stranding Network Coordinator, Cascadia Research Collective
- Daniel Hull, Executive Director, Nisqually Reach Nature Center
- David Jamison, marine biologist
- Vicky McCarley, 4H Program Coordinator, Washington State University Extension
- Mary Middleton, Research Biologist, Pacific Shellfish Institute
- Bob Vadas, Fish Habitat Biologist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Dr. Ignacio Vilchis, UC Davis
- Christina Wiseman, marine biologist
If you would like to find out more information about the Beach Naturalist Program, please cont Leihla at leihla@sseacenter.org.
