Beach Naturalist Program

Stroll along almost any Seattle beach during low tide on a summer weekend and you'll see that the shore is alive! Not only will you witness the Puget Sound's multitude of marine plants and animals, but you'll also see advocates for these living wonders sharing their knowledge with beach goers - Beach Naturalists.

NEW - view our 2009 Tide Charts!

Beach Naturalists are local citizens who care about Puget Sound beaches and want to help protect them. More than 100 have volunteered to help people learn and enjoy area beaches this summer. "We are here to educate and inspire folks, in hopes that providing knowledge of the creatures and their habitat will lead us all to care more about their habitat and fight to preserve it," says Beach Naturalist Coordinator Janice Mathisen.

Be sure to visit a local beach this summer and meet the Beach Naturalists. They know their beaches. They can help you enjoy the beach without harming it. They can tell you what seastars eat, why barnacles stand on their heads and how moon snails lay their eggs. "The enthusiasm and excitement of our Beach Naturalists transfers directly to the public-it's a wonderful infectious thing!" beams Mathisen. "To be able to meet a family and educate them on what a treasure we have here in Puget Sound is amazing."
Click here for Summer Beach Naturalist flyer with dates and beach locations. Click here for driving directions to the beaches, or view our custom Google map.

Naturalists are at: South Alki, Golden Gardens, Carkeek Park, Lincoln Park, Richmond Beach, Des Moines and Seahurst on the following dates. Look for signs at the entrance to the beach.
June 20, 9am – 12pm; June 21, 10am – 1pm
June 22, 10am – 1pm & June 23, 10am – 2pm
July 5, 10am – 1pm
July 19, 9am – 11am; July 20, 9:30am –12:30pm; July 21, 10am – 1:30pm

Beach Naturalists will also be at the Olympic Sculpture Park Beach on:
June 21, 10am – 1pm; June 22, 10am – 1pm
July 5, 10am – 1pm; July 21, 10am – 1:30pm

And at Redondo Beach on:
June 21, 10am – 1pm; June 22, 10am – 1pm; June 23, 10am – 2pm 
July 21, 10am – 1:30pm

  
The Beach Naturalist Program is co-sponsored by the following partners:
Seattle Aquarium
Forum for WRIA 9 (the Green-Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed)
Forum for WRIA 8 (the Lake Washington-Cedar-Sammamish Watershed)
King Conservation District
Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
People for Puget Sound