July holds a very special event for Puget Sound beach lovers: the lowest tides of the year! From Sunday, July 21, through Tuesday, July 23, the abundant sea life that lives on our shores will be uncovered and families will be able to see, touch and learn about the amazing treasures on our beaches.
On these very special days, beach naturalists will visit Puget Sound-area coastlines to lead educational walks and talk to people about beach habitats. For kids, learning about marine creatures doesn’t come any easier than the tactile experiences of having sea anemone tentacles closing in on their little fingers and stroking the rough exteriors of sea stars. The beach is the perfect platform for discovery. Here are some of the best beach walks around town:
Seattle Aquarium’s Beach Naturalist Program, Various Puget Sound Beaches
Naturalists visit 10 beaches from Shoreline to Des Moines for low-tide explorations. More than 100 environmental advocates volunteer their time for this program, helping people across the region learn about sea life and how to protect our beach habitats. No registration is required for the events. Low tide walks are scheduled for Richmond Beach in Shoreline; Carkeek Park, Golden Gardens and Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle; South Alki Beach and Lincoln Park in West Seattle; Seahurst Park in Burien; and Des Moines Beach Park, Redondo Beach and Saltwater State Park in Des Moines. www.seattleaquarium.org/beach-naturalist.
Discovery Park, Seattle
Join in the “Tide Pool Adventure” on Discovery Park’s North Beach. Join naturalists and adventure into a world that is only visible at certain times of the day. Search for moon snails, crabs and sea cucumbers and learn how they survive when they are not underwater. Due to the long walk and rocky beach, this program is best suited to ages 6 and up. Programs will be held Sunday, July 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. Pre-registration is required and the walks fill up early. www.seattle.gov/parks/environment/discovery.htm.
Olympic Beach, Edmonds
Learn about the complex and mysterious world of tidepools in Tidepools 101 at Olympic Beach. A Ranger-Naturalist will be your guide, as you explore this diverse and ever-changing environment at the edge of Puget Sound. Children 12 and younger must register with an adult. The registration. Deadline is 4:30 p.m. the Friday before. Walks will be led on Saturday, July 20, from 9 to 10 a.m. and Sunday, July 21, from 10 to 11 a.m. www.reczone.org/Artwork/Edmonds_Rec_Guide.pdf.
Owen Beach, Tacoma
Become a citizen scientist for a day at Owen Beach. Join Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium naturalists for a low tide beach walk at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 21, where they will identify tide pool animals and record their presence and location in order to add the information to the scientific NatureMapping database. This opportunity is great for ages 5 and older and is a fun and exciting way to learn about the biological diversity of local beaches and to better understand how to protect them.www.metroparkstacoma.org.
Photo courtesy of Seattle Aquarium’s Beach Naturalist Program.
