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.

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 the 2010 Summer Beach Naturalist flyer with dates and beach locations. Click here for driving directions to the beaches. You can also check out our updated Beach Guide and 2010 Tide Chart sponsored by COSEE.

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.
Saturday, July 10, 9:30-1, Low Tide for Early Risers
Sunday, July 11, 10-2, Lowest Summer Tide
Monday, July 12, 10-2, Lowest Summer Tide
Tuesday, July 13, 10:30-2:30
Saturday, July 24, 9:30-12:30, Low Tide for Early Risers
Sunday, July 25, 10-12:30
Sunday, Aug. 8, 9-12, Low Tide for Early Risers

Beach Naturalists will also be at the Olympic Sculpture Park Beach on:
Saturday, July 10, 9:30-1
Sunday, July 11, 10-2, Lowest Summer Tide

And at Redondo Beach on:
Saturday, July 10, 9:30-1

Thanks to our partners at Argosy Cruises, Beach Naturalists will be on Blake Island on:
Tuesday, July 13, 12-3

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