| July 26, 2000
News Release
Summertime fun: Last weekend for free seashore tours by Beach Naturalists
The last weekend of July is also the last chance for people to take advantage of a free tour of their nearest seashore by a volunteer Beach Naturalist. The low-tides and forecasts of sunny weather are the perfect setting for ultimate summer fun. Children are especially welcome!
Beach Naturalists can answer such questions as what do seastars eat, why do barnacles stand on their heads and how do moon snails lay their eggs. The more than 100 naturalists, who will be on our beaches, are local citizens who are trained to show people how to enjoy the beach without harming it.
Beach Naturalists will be on duty Saturday, July 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following beaches: Richmond Beach, Constellation Park (Alki Point) Carkeek Park, Golden Gardens, Seahurst Park in Burien, Des Moines Beach Park and on Vashon Island (next to the ferry terminal). For directions and a map to these locations go to http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/PI/beach-naturalists.htm.
Remember the five golden rules for beach visits:
1. Walk carefully. Look where you are stepping and avoid eelgrass beds, which are nearshore nurseries for many animals.
2. Leave dogs home. Dogs are not allowed on Seattle beaches. So instead, take them to parks with designated "off-leash" areas.
3. Leave it at the beach. Don't take away rocks, shells, seaweed, logs and other beach items, which are food and shelter for many critters. The beach is the best place for them.
4. Let it be. Don't pull on animals like anemones and barnacles that are tightly attached to rocks or pilings. If you move rocks to look underneath, gently put them back the way they were. Rocks protect critters, many too small to see, that live under and on top of them. Fill in dug up holes to protect the critters that live buried in the damp sand and need cover.
5. Remove trash. What you bring and what you find, especially fishing line and plastic six-pack holders.
The Beach Naturalist Program, comprised of over 100 volunteers, is co-sponsored by the Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Department of Parks & Recreation, King County Department of Natural Resources, Central Puget Sound Watershed Forum, Washington Sea Grant, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team, Alki Community Council, Adopt-a-Beach, People for Puget Sound, Seattle/King County Department of Public Health.
Related Information
Marine Topics
Central Puget Sound Watershed
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