Beach Naturalist program

Interested in becoming a beach naturalist?

Please email beachnaturalist@seattleaquarium.org to receive program information. Training for new volunteers begins April 2.

 

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 Puget Sound's multitude of marine plants and animals, you'll also see beach naturalists: advocates for these living wonders sharing their knowledge with beachgoers.

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 about and enjoy area shorelines. Beach naturalists know their beaches: they can help you enjoy the habitat without harming it; tell you what sea stars eat; explain why barnacles stand on their heads; describe how moon snails lay their eggs; and so much more. "The enthusiasm and excitement of our beach naturalists transfers directly to the public—it's a wonderful, infectious thing!" beams Janice Mathisen, community outreach coordinator at the Seattle Aquarium. "To be able to meet a family and educate them on what a treasure we have here in Puget Sound is amazing.

Join trained volunteers and explore the beach with us! Look for signs at the beaches listed on the upcoming dates and times below. Click here for beach directions. 

 

See the flyer with all dates here!

Beach naturalists
Richmond Beach, Carkeek Park, Golden Gardens, Charles Richey Viewpoint (aka South Alki), Lincoln Park, Seahurst, Saltwater State Park:
Olympic Sculpture Park:
Des Moines:
Redondo Beach:
Dashpoint State Park:
Blake Island:

Beach naturalists: log in and view training materials.

 

Beach etiquette guides:
English-Chinese
English-Spanish

Beach naturalists talking about tidepools
Crowd of people on the beach
Sea stars on rocks
Beach naturalists talking to children on the beach
Get Social
#beachnaturalist

Sponsors

  • AMGEN Foundation
  • Forum for SB WRIA 8 (Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed)
  • King County Flood Control District
  • Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Watershed Ecosystem Forum for WRIA 9
  • The City of Burien
  • The City of Des Moines
  • The City of Shoreline
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