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.
We meet in the parking area of the beach around the scheduled time to organize gear before heading out to our monitoring site (Usually 10-15min past the scheduled start time). See below for more detailed directions about the monitoring location. 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.
For Summer Beach Monitoring we recommend that you are prepared with layers (it does tend to be cold at the beach), sun protection, snacks, hydration, and closed toed shoes (rain boots, water shoes, or old sneakers you don't mind getting wet work great). Some folks like having a light pair of rain pants for keeping dry when we kneel on the beach but that's not required.
These events will include a training on how to conduct a MOLT SEARCH. This is a program that you can participate in to be part of an early detection program monitoring for European green crab. Early detection of the presence of European green crab will give managers the best chance of reducing the spread and impact of this globally damaging invasive species. We're excited to have you be part of the team: wsg.washington.edu/moltsearch
Purdy Sand Spit: Our monitoring site is midway across the Purdy Sand Spit, near the lone madrone tree on the public side of the spit. There is parking on West end of the spit (use extreme caution when crossing the highway) with easy beach access down the boat ramp however, there will be a fair trek to the middle of the spit. It's closer to park along the road but beach access requires a scramble over the rocks to get to the beach. Please use caution when entering and exiting your vehicle. If you arrive late, we should be pretty obvious to spot as we will be mid-spit with all the gear.
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