Beach Programs Offer Hands-On Exploration
Ever wonder what it’s like to run a finger over the back of a prickly pink sea star? Or hold the tiniest of ocean crabs in a hand? Or stroll along the beach at low tide, both learning about the animals there and helping catalog them for scientific research?
Tacoma Nature Center and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium will show children, adults and families how to do all of those things this summer in two programs aimed at helping them learn more about Puget Sound’s beaches and the creatures that live there.
The zoo’s Explore the Shore programs are set for June 15, June 26, July 11, July 14 and Aug. 11 at Owen Beach in Point Defiance Park.
The Tacoma Nature Center will host Tiptoe through the Tidepools on June 14, July 12 and August 9 at Titlow Beach, 8425 Sixth Ave. in Tacoma.
All are timed to take best advantage of the low minus tides that reveal many of Puget Sound’s most interesting shoreline creatures.
The events and programs are free and open to the public and reservations are not required. Bring sunscreen and wear shoes and clothing appropriate for walking on rough beach terrain.
Here’s a rundown of upcoming programs:
Explore the Shore (for ages 5 and up): Zoo naturalists accompany participants on low tide beach walks, where kids and adults will learn to identify tide pool animals and record their presence and location for addition to the scientific Nature Mapping database (www.http://naturemappingfoundation.org). Participants will learn about the biological diversity of local beaches and better understand how to protect them.
All programs have meet-up times so participants can get a brief introduction to the day before the walk begins. They’re designed to last about two hours, though people may want to explore the beach for a longer time.
- June 15 at 12:30 pm
- June 26 at 10:30 am
- July 11 at 10:00 am
- July 14 at 12:15 pm
- August 11 at 11:15 am
Explore the Shore takes place at Owen Beach in Point Defiance Park, 5400 N. Pearl St.
Tiptoe through the Tidepools: Family fun as Tacoma Nature Center naturalists help participants learn about life on the beach. There will be touch tanks and lots of opportunity to ponder the creatures that live on the shoreline.
- June 14 11:00 am-2:00 pm
- July 12 10:00 am-1:00 pm
- August 9 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Tiptoe Through the Tidepools takes place at the Titlow Park beach, located at 8425 6th Ave.
Both programs showcase the commitment of Metro Parks Tacoma to provide residents with exercise, education and outdoor-based entertainment, said John Garner, the zoo’s education curator.
“Explore the Shore gives people the opportunity to learn the art of citizen science, and they will go home with the skills needed to take a more active part in the protection of their local environment,” Garner added.
The program also dovetails with the zoo’s Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater live animal show, “Captain Adventure vs. Dr. Do-Nothing: The Quest to Get Outside?!” Garner said. “The show teaches the value of becoming a Citizen Scientist with simple activities like backyard bird counts, cataloguing beach creatures and participating in frog counts,” he added.
For more information about Tiptoe Through the Tidepools call 591-6439.
For more information about Explore the Shore, go to www.pdza.org/explore-shore or call 404-3665.