Beach Log Page D ECEMBER 2011 Beach Log Education, Research, Stewardship WSU Beach Watchers P. O. Box 5000 Coupeville WA 98239 360-679-7391 ; 321-5111 or 629-4522 Ext. 7391 FAX 360-678-4120 Camano Office: 121 N. East Camano Dr., Camano Island, WA 98282, 387-3443 ext. 258, E-mail: [email protected]Web address: www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu Words From Barbara Bennett, Program Coordinator WSU Extension Island County Beach Watchers This is the time of year for celebration and reflection. I am celebrating that it has been just over a year since I began coordinating Island County Beach Watchers! Here are some of the things I have learned: We Island County Beach Watchers are tenacious, hard working, innovative and gregarious. Over the past 20+ years, you have found and solved problems, launched whole new organiza- tions, woven yourselves into public service and volunteerism on our two islands, nurtured each other as friends and colleagues and set the pace for other counties to follow. Camano and Whidbey Islands are physically and culturally different while also being closely related as islands. Beach Watchers on each island have tailored their activities to suit their setting. While the Beach Watchers mis- sion ties the two together, each Island’s portfolio is different. Five neighboring counties now have Beach Watchers programs - presenting benefits and challenges. Growth has expanded the reach of the Beach Watchers’ mission across northern Puget Sound and the broader Salish Sea, generated partners for collaboration and also increased pressure on regional experts to support trainings and one-day universities in all 6 counties. Island County as the oldest program has many valuable lessons to share. In turn, Island County is challenged and enriched by opportunities to collaborate and gain new perspectives. Pressures on our marine environment have changed, and in many ways intensified, since Beach Watchers was formed. True to our mission, we are called to stay alert to emerging issues and sustain our tradition of creative, innovative, collaborative responses to changing needs and opportunities. I look forward to working with you in the year ahead. This note comes with good wishes for the holidays and a hearty thanks for your service on behalf of the marine environment and the communities of Island County that gain such vitality from our marine setting. Barb Bennett, BW Program Coordinator, [email protected]
Transcript
Page December 2011 Beach Log
Page DECEMBER 2011
Beach Log Education, Research, Stewardship
WSU Beach Watchers P. O. Box 5000 Coupeville WA 98239 360-679-7391 ; 321-5111 or 629-4522 Ext. 7391 FAX 360-678-4120 Camano Office: 121 N. East Camano Dr., Camano Island, WA 98282, 387-3443 ext. 258, E-mail: [email protected] Web address: www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu
Words From Barbara Bennett, Program Coordinator WSU Extension Island County Beach Watchers
This is the time of year for celebration and reflection. I am celebrating that it has been just over a year since I began coordinating Island County Beach Watchers! Here are some of the things I have learned:
We Island County Beach Watchers are tenacious, hard working, innovative and gregarious. Over the past 20+ years, you have found and solved problems, launched whole new organiza-tions, woven yourselves into public service and volunteerism on our two islands, nurtured each other as friends and colleagues and set the pace for other counties to follow.
Camano and Whidbey Islands are physically and culturally different while also being closely related as islands. Beach Watchers on each island have tailored their activities to suit their setting. While the Beach Watchers mis-sion ties the two together, each Island’s portfolio is different.
Five neighboring counties now have Beach Watchers programs - presenting benefits and challenges. Growth has expanded the reach of the Beach Watchers’ mission across northern Puget Sound and the broader Salish Sea, generated partners for collaboration and also increased pressure on regional experts to support trainings and one-day universities in all 6 counties. Island County as the oldest program has many valuable lessons to share. In turn, Island County is challenged and enriched by opportunities to collaborate and gain new perspectives.
Pressures on our marine environment have changed, and in many ways intensified, since Beach Watchers was formed. True to our mission, we are called to stay alert to emerging issues and sustain our tradition of creative, innovative, collaborative responses to changing needs and opportunities.
I look forward to working with you in the year ahead.
This note comes with good wishes for the holidays and a hearty thanks for your service on behalf of the marine environment and the communities of Island County that gain such vitality from our marine setting.
Words From Sue Howard, President Beach Watchers Advisory Council (BWAC)
With many of our outdoor projects winding down, the advisory council continues to focus on budgetary and organizational issues. Our fund raising letter has gone out, and we have begun to receive donations. As of this date (12/08), we have received a total of $3355.00. The campaign last year brought us $ 5644.00, so we have just a good start. Thanks to all of you who have made donations.
Holiday parties on Camano (December 9) and Whidbey (December 15) are now being planned. These events are a great opportunity to get together with other Beach Watchers, celebrate and have a wonderful time. Both parties have raffles and silent auctions, with donations from local businesses and from Beach Watchers, so there are many ways you might be able to support the organization. We have found that donations of events, dinners, services, boat rides, food and drink are very popular and inspire spirited bidding. You have received more detailed invitations, so put the dates on your calendars, and join us.
The Beach Watchers annual meeting will be held on January 11, from 10:00-2:00 (give or take) at Padilla Bay. We will be talking about a lot of accomplishments, highlighting the web site for monitoring, as well as holding the BWAC election. Please join us. BWAC will have a retreat in January, where we will do strategic planning. A calendar of BWAC meetings for 2012 will be published after that meeting.
Have a happy and safe holiday season!
Sue Howard, BWAC President, suehoward.whidbey@gmail
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Sea Spiders: A Unique Discovery During Beach Monitoring One of the most exciting moments from this past summer's monitoring season came at Partridge Point when we peered through a hand lens at a mass of feathery appearing hydroid and saw tiny sea spiders clinging to its branches. Sea spiders or pycnogonids had never before been identified by our monitoring teams. Not knowing much about sea spiders, I decided it was time to do some research.
Often cryptic, this class of animals has not received as much attention as many other groups. Because they are so unique, taxonomists have not yet even settled on exactly how to classify them. The class Pycnogonida is pres-ently grouped with the arthropods in the subphylum Chelicerata which cate-gorizes them with spiders, mites, scorpions, and horseshoe crabs. Although they closely resemble spiders superficially, they are very different from arachnids and other Cheicerates and so are funneled off into their own class. Some scientists argue that they belong in their own subphylum which would further distinguish them from those animals . Pycnogonids are very ancient and DNA research points to them being among the most primitive of the arthropods.
The origin of the word Pycnogonid comes from roots meaning "thick" or "strong" and "knees" and refer of course to the walking legs of these ani-mals. And they do have lots of knees! Most species have 4 pairs of walking legs, each made up of 9 segments. If my math is correct, that would give them 32 knees! (Of course some of those may be ankles.) Males have an
extra pair of legs called ovigers or egg bearing legs. Sea spiders are quite unusual in that the males receive the eggs from the female at the time of fertilization. The males carry the eggs on the ovirgers and care for them until they hatch and sometimes continue to carry the young as they mature through larval stages. The females of some spe-cies also have ovigers but in those cases they are used for grooming and food handling and not for parenting behav-ior.
Pycnogonids are found in marine waters all over the world and their range extends from the intertidal zone to the deepest parts of the ocean. Those in the intertidal tend to be very tiny, less than 1 mm in length and they are often well camouflaged which is why we rarely find them. Larger species with leg spans of up to 2 feet are found in very deep waters and around Antarctica. A close look at their body shows that it is made up of just 2 parts and is much reduced in size in relation to the legs. At one time, they were referred to as "no body crabs". The anterior of the body consists of a fused head and thorax called the prosoma which includes a prominent proboscis used to suck fluids from prey and a segmented portion where the legs originate. The posterior segment is quite diminutive and contains the anus. With them having such a reduced body volume, you may be wondering where are their internal organs? Sea spiders have so much surface area that they do not need a respiratory system and they are also believed to not have an excretory system for nitrogenous wastes. Diffusion through the cuticle provides those functions. Digestive and reproductive organs are partially in the prosoma but also extend far down into the legs. A simple circulatory system pumps copper based blood throughout the body and legs.
Pycnogonids are predators or parasites with many species feeding on soft bodied animals including cnidarians such as hydroids and anemones, bryozoans, polychetes, and sea slugs. They feed primarily by sucking the juices and tis-sues from their prey with their proboscis.
I find the complexity of intertidal life to be just amazing and it's always exciting to find a new kind of critter. Next summer, I intend to take the time to take a closer look at our intertidal hydroids in hopes of finding and learning more about the unique little sea spiders that live on our beaches. You never know what else is out there just wait-ing to be found!
Mary Jo Adams, BW Class of 1999
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Sound Waters Returns to Langley
Sound Waters returns to Langley Feb. 4, 2012, with a day filled with information on all things Puget Sound. This year's program will include several new topics along with returning favorites. On-line registration opens in early January. Keep your eyes on Beach Watchers' website for full details.
This year's keynote speaker is Joseph Gaydos, VMD, PhD, who is SeaDoc Society's regional director and chief scientist; he is based on Orcas Island. Gaydos' keynote address will be "Marine Science: Can it Help the Salish Sea?
The Salish Sea is facing what some people call a slow-motion ecological crisis that has the potential to permanently impact our ability to use and enjoy our ma-rine water's natural resources. What role does science have in reversing this trend? Can science really help us restore our inland sea?
Science is not a panacea, but it can and does play an important role in efforts to design a healthy ecosystem. It enables us to understand how the ecosystem works, it allows us to identify and track ecosystem indicators, and it can help guide restoration efforts. Science alone, however, will not ensure success.
For it to help, we need to link science to education and outreach as well as to management and policy. This presentation will examine the merits and limitations of science while proposing realistic options for citizens to participate in, understand and use science as we all work to improve the health of the Salish Sea.”
Susan Mador, BW Class of 2011
Map of the Salish Sea & Surrounding Basin, Stefan Freelan, WWU, 2009
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Beach Watchers Communications: Tips and Tricks
Below are ways you can contact Beach Watchers groups or find the specific Beach Watcher(s) you are looking for.
You can send articles or calendar information for the Beach Log : a bi-monthly newsletter. Joanne McMillen is the editor and she and I work with a team of editors to collect and assemble articles for the Log. Janet Kramer and Scott Sebelsky collect information for Camano. Jill Hein helps to edit. Send email to: [email protected]
You can send an email to a list of Beach Watchers. I manage 6 lists (with the help of Nicole Luce). You can email a list. I will confirm it is the right information to the right group, and then will send it out. Here are your choices to reach:
You can find individual Beach Watchers contact information on the website: http://volunteerhours.net/bw/island/volinfo/?q=intro. Just log in to the website, then go to the Find tab and enter the first or last name, the class year or the city you wish to search. The site will provide you a link to informa-tion about the person or persons that fit your search.
Last, but not least, be sure to check out (and post news on) the WSU Island County Beach Watchers Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Island-County-WSU-Beach-Watchers/319821091378383?sk=wall
This new site is growing and is a great place to share updates and pictures of projects and activities. We are building the administrative team, let me know if you would like to assist.
Barbara Bennett, BW Class of 2011
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Be a “Guide on the Side” to Provide Powerful Education and Out-reach
Sometimes the most memorable learning takes place when we explore an exciting set-ting with a “guide on the side”. This is a term that is used to describe inquiry-based learning. Beach Watchers help children of all ages explore the wonders of the marine world, and we can do great teaching by simply asking questions to guide our learners in their observations.
Rather than lecture as a “sage on a stage”, a contrasting description used in inquiry-based literature, inquiry-based teachers encourage learners to consider details, notice how things are connected, and develop an understanding from their “guided” explora-tion of new information.
Inquiry-based teaching encourages curiosity, observation, careful thinking, and the shared fun of exploration – all the things we enjoy about our roles as Beach Watchers. Beach Naturalists at Deception Pass State Park, coordinated with Beach Watchers, use this approach. Last month, the Cama Beach Foundation held a training session attended by a number of Beach Watchers on this approach taught by Dr. Jude Apple of Western Washington University.
Would you like to learn more about being a “guide on the side”? Here is a link to get you started: http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/general-info/our-approach/intro-inquiry-learning/intro-inquiry-learning
Barbara Bennett, BW Class of 2011
Reporting Your Volunteer Hours Just Got Easier
First, many thanks to Jill Hein for emailing instructions to all BWs with an easy way to report batches of BW hours! It’s a great way to catch up with entering your volunteer hours by activity.
Proof is Evelyn and Bill Blair who had been having problems logging into the Volunteers’ database. By phone, Evelyn and I fixed that problem, and she learned how easy it was to enter their hours that had been piling up in their calendars this year. More proof: Eugene Thrasher just gave me his hours for teaching clamming, so I can enter them for him.
Need help? Contact me. Our reported hours do make a big difference as our organization seeks funding and demonstrates what we are contributing as volunteers.
Nicole Luce , BW Class of 1997 and BW Advisory Council member (Email: ilndgals at whidbey.com)
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News from Rosario and Beach Naturalists
Rosario Tide-pooling and Thanks to the Beach Naturalists
I want to thank the folks that came out for the tide-pooling at Rosario on Nov 25th. Ken Obeso (Beach Naturalist) and his friend Mary, Brynn McIntyre (Island County Beach Watcher), Judi Schwarz (Snohomish Beach Watcher) and Julia (her daughter), myself and Mary Jo.
I am also sharing photos that were taken of a couple of critters that we saw that evening. The weather was a little chilly but as you can see from the photo we were all dressed for it and had a great time. It was starting to sprinkle when we were leaving for home.
A big Thank You to Mary Jo Adams for the great photos and being our guide.
We had a fantastic crew of Beach Naturalists working at the tide pools this summer. Folks absolutely loved having them on the beach.
I will be offering another training for Beach Naturalists this spring. If any of you know of someone that you think would enjoy working with people and on the beach, please let them know about the upcoming training. The classes will be held every Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 PM during the month of March.
We will also have a couple of field trips on weekends that will depend on the tides. You may sign up for the training with Sam Wotipka at the park office. Here is his email address [email protected] and telephone number 360 675-3767 ext 31. If you have more questions, please give me a call at 360 929-6989.
We are already scheduling school groups for the month of April. Wahoo!!! The outdoor classroom is fin-ished and will be available for our use this spring and summer. The classroom is beautiful. We will be able to set up microscopes for viewing "things". We have a plankton net and plankton identification keys. I have been gathering some other fun things to look at as well.
Sammye Kempbell, BW class of 2003
Keyhole Limpet with worm
worm
Dirona albolineata
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State of the Sound Presentations and Water Courses Funded by Puget Sound Partnership Through June 2012
You can help and participate!
This winter Island County Beach Watchers will be working on three projects funded by a grant provided by the Puget Sound Partnership:
1. “State of the Sound” presentations about basic facts regarding Puget Sound. Open to adjustment for each audience, topics include the geology and marine ecology, and changing conditions of Puget Sound. Using a power point this presentation can range from 20 to 45 minutes long.
• Do you know a homeowners association, civic group, Sunday school class, etc. that would like to learn about the State of the Sound?
• Would you like to make presentations on the State of the Sound and other topics?
• Would you like to help develop a speaker’s bureau – identify organizations open for talks related to the marine environment and Beach Watchers who would like to be presenters, and develop presentation formats and content?
If yes to any of the above, then contact Barbara Bennett at [email protected] to help develop, schedule, deliver and expand on this presentation and more!
2. Self-led reading and discussion “Water Course” (7 sessions). WSU Extension in collaboration with Jefferson County has developed a self-led format for readings and discussions regarding fresh water. Topics include the limited and finite supply of fresh water in the world, how much water is in our water footprint, assumptions about access to fresh water, laws and policies that control water uses, and water challenges in a changing global environment.
Already several groups in Island County have led themselves through this course. Reviews have been very positive. Lee Chavez has been looking for participants in south Whidbey and Barbara is work-ing on a schedule and participants for a session in Coupeville. It would be great to have Camano Is-land sessions as well.
Would you like to participate in the Water Course? Let Barbara know: [email protected].
3. Core Beach Watchers Program Development: The Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) has invested in funding the special projects listed above and core program development for Island County and Beach Watchers Programs across the region. This grant funding will continue through June 2012.
Barbara Bennett, BW Class of 2011
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Fishing Line Update
Every day, improperly discarded monofilament fishing line causes devastating problems for marine life and the environment. Marine mammals, fish and birds become injured from entanglements, or might ingest the line,
often dying as a result. Human divers and swimmers are also at risk from entanglements and the line can also damage boat propellers.
We’ve had another heavy duty fishing season around Whidbey, with fishermen on the beach wherever there’s enough room to stand and cast their line to catch those elusive salmon.
Our “Mono-Monitors” are thrilled to see that the mono-filament fishing line recycle containers are being used to recycle fishing line! And the fishermen are to be com-mended for placing their unwanted/surplus line into the containers, and not leaving it on the beach or by the wa-ter where the chances are high it will entangle wildlife, and quite possibly our own dogs.
Most fishermen we’ve encountered are happy to have the recycle containers available, and thank us for our work. We’re happy to report that - as of the end of November - another 7 lb of monofilament fishing line has been cleaned up (thanks to Clarence Hein) and is ready to be sent to recycle.
Way to go – fishermen – and thanks to our monitors who collect the line for recycling:
Finn Gatewood, BW Class 2006
Bob Gentz, BW Class 2008
Marty Crowley, BW Class 2005
Gladys Howard, BW Class 2010
Sammye Kempbell, BW Class 2003
Jill Hein, BW Class 2005
Jill Hein, BW Class of 2005
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Island County Beach Watchers’ Data Posted on Two Websites
Two websites have gone live this year featuring Island County Beach Watchers’ data. Monitoring data is featured on a dynamic site set up in collaboration with Central Washington University. This site will be showcased at the Annual Meeting by Vickie Chapman and can be viewed at: http://csi.gis.cwu.edu/intertidal_monitor/index.htm.
A second site features many other kinds of information about Island County Shores and includes data collected by Beach Watchers. That site is described by Dan Pedersen below.
After years of searching for the right online data-sharing platform, Island County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) has found a solution. The MRC recently launched its new data-sharing website, Island County Sound IQ, http://www.iqmap.org/icSoundIQ.
The site presents marine biological and human infrastructure data in map layers. It allows the public and decision-makers to select and view desired layers such as Pigeon Guillemot nesting colo-nies, beach access points from Getting to the Water’s Edge, and forage fish spawning beaches. Viewers may delve into specific studies if they wish or consider how several different datasets may correlate.
Sound IQ is a new version of a program that is already well tested. It is built on the same tried-and-proven platform as the City of Bellingham’s highly successful City IQ website. The MRC and Northwest Straits Commission worked closely with program-mers from the City of Bellingham to transform their land-based mapping system into a marine-focused system. The Island
County Shoreline Master Plan update also lent its full support to the MRC project.
The site as it exists right now represents all the work that could be completed with the funding available for the initial, modest “Phase One.” The good news is that an additional $10,000 already has been earmarked by the Northwest Straits Commission to expand and improve the site in “Phase Two” in the coming months. More data layers will be added and a few bugs and oversights corrected. The MRC, City of Bellingham and Northwest Straits Commission all view the Island County site as a promising prototype for similar Sound IQ sites that could knit together other counties in one larger Sound IQ network. Many are watching it closely.
WSU Beach Watchers gathered much of the data currently displayed on the site, and no doubt Beach Watchers will continue to be a major asset in its future development. They are an indispensible partner to the MRC in carrying out its projects.
Anyone with suggestions for improving Sound IQ is welcome to e-mail MRC communications manager Dan Pedersen, [email protected]. He will pass along any written comments to the Sound IQ Phase Two team.
Dan Pedersen, Communications Manager, Island County Marine Resources Committee
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Public Transportation Awareness
As we approach 2012, Climate Stewards and Beach Watchers can help in assisting the local com-munity to use public transportation. We can take advantage of Island Transit, Skagit Transit and Carpooling.
Why not consider walking on the ferry with connections to Jefferson, Snohomish, or King County bus and/or train service?
Public transportation is easy and inexpensive, and free of driving in traffic. Things to consider when using public transportation are planning ahead, allowing more time, and leaving the car or truck at home.
"What is in it for you?" How about $2 to $6 per day rather than wear and tear and gas of $.25 to $.50 per mile? How about the "Carbon Footprint" and the pounds per day of Carbon Emission? How about one's personal stress and frustration while in traffic?
In November a small group of Climate Stewards and Beach Watchers took a field trip from Coupeville to Mt Vernon to demonstrate the ease of Island County public transportation. In future months more Beach Watchers can participate in trips to become familiar with the sys-tem. Soon, all of us will be able to take family and friends on public transportation outings.
The goal is to use the public transportation system, save money, reduce the carbon footprint, relax and have fun on a new adventure. Stay tuned for future trip opportunities.
Dick Newsham, Climate Steward and BW Class of 2008
In Memory
Sadly, Kesti Brorson, BW Class of 2005, passed away unexpectedly this past Septem-ber. Kesti was an avid weaver, an artist, and kept close tabs on her Swedish friends in the area. She also belonged to the Sons of Norway group.
Along with being a member of Beach Watchers, Kesti had also taken the Climate Stewards training. Kesti was also quite an artist – next time you go to the Coupeville Wharf be sure to check out her artwork on the hallway wall, it’s beautiful. She is survived by her three sons, Erik, Bart and Per Brashers, and her four grand-children, along with a sister and two brothers.
We will all miss her, and remember her loving spirit.
Jill Hein, BW Class of 2005
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Congratulations
Island County Beach Watchers Class of 2011 Camano Island
Left to Right: LaLee Burrill, Russ Holmes, Gary Skorheim, Stacey Thompson, Stephen Shuttack, John Andrews, Suzie Gaffney, Patricia Blankenship, Loran Blankenship, Linda Brubaker (training coordinator), Roxie Rochat, Dave Brubaker (training coordinator), Kim Rochat (back), Sarah Haynes (front), John Radzewich (back), Marilyn Crandell (front), Patty Sebelsky, Scott Sebelsky
Not pictured: Paul Robertson.
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Congratulations
Island County Beach Watchers Class of 2011 Whidbey Island
Left to Right (standing): John Shepard, Coyla Shepard, Sally Ann Elder, Carolyn Burningham, Robin Willis, Julie Ward (back), Susan Mador (front), Noel Nic’Fergusson, Kes Tautvydas, Charlene Cohen, Dick Snow-berger, Mark Kennedy, Barbara Bennett
Left to Right (sitting): Kim McJury, Pat Price, Joanne McMillen
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Shoreline Stabilization in Island County
Will be Discussed January 30 4:30-6:30 at the
Island County Commissioners' Meeting Room.
Island County is updating its Shoreline Master Program for the first time in 20 years.
In that time much has changed: building techniques, septic and water issues and population density along the shores and bluffs, to mention only a few. Policies and regulations do not change as easily - this is a time when your opinions can help shape future policy.
The Shoreline Master Program planning proc-ess is now holding public discussions on cur-rent issues and future regulations. In Decem-ber the discussion was generally about shore-line issues and regulations. The discussion re-vealed strongly differing opinions between those in favor of increased development and relaxed regulations and those in favor of more rigorous regulations to address environmental concerns.
Shoreline Stabilization (sea walls, hard armor-ing, soft armoring, etc) will be the sole topic for the public discussion on January 30th 4:30 to 6:30 at the Island County Commissioners' meeting room.
Check the site for details: http://www.islandcounty.net/planning/shorelines.htm
Whatever your preferences, this is an important opportunity to shape future shoreline policy in Island County.
Barbara Bennett, BW class of 2011
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News from the 2011 Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference
Many Voices, One Sea
Growing Trends in Citizen Science
Citizen science was the topic that captured my attention at the Salish Sea Conference in October because it is an im-portant way for Beach Watchers to contribute to the body of knowledge about the marine environment in Puget
Sound, the Salish Sea (the body of water that includes the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Georgia Strait to the north and Puget Sound to the south) and around the world. Of course, Island County Beach Watchers have done citizen science for many years. Our beach monitoring generates baseline de-scriptive data and provides Beach Watchers with training in research skills e.g. following scientific protocols, making neutral /factual observations and recording data. These skills are used when sci-entists need help to gather on-site data to address specific research questions.
In a global trend that is evident in this region, citizen scientists are gaining broader roles in research from framing research questions, to interpreting data and applying research knowledge to action. By partnering/collaborating researchers gain the local knowledge and daily presence citizens can provide. In turn, citizen scientists gain first-hand understanding of technical issues and are better equipped to provide accurate information to residents and decision makers.
Island County Beach Watchers have been invited to participate in several studies for the coming year. Look in future Beach Logs for details on these projects as they develop.
See below for an abstract of my presentation at the Salish Sea Conference.
Barbara Bennett, BW Class of 2011
The Multiple Wins of Citizen Science
Presentation for the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, October, 2011
Barbara Lyon Bennett, Program Coordinator WSU Extension Island County Beach Watchers
The WSU Extension Beach Watchers program applies the land grant mission to marine stewardship. This program concept is unique to WSU, was launched in 1989 in Island County (taking momentum from a number of other related initiatives) and is currently active in six counties in Washington State: Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit and Snohomish. The program has the longest history and the largest number of volunteers in Island County. The mis-sion of the Beach Watchers program is to improve, maintain and protect a thriving Salish Sea ecosystem through education, com-munity outreach, stewardship and research.
As with the WSU Extension Master Gardner model, each participating county Extension office recruits, trains and deploys local citizen volunteers. All Beach Watchers receive 100 hours of training and commit to give back to the community 100 hours of volunteer service within the first two years following their training. Training is consistent with the mission and addresses core concepts regarding marine ecosystems and human interactions and impacts on those systems. Once trained, the majority continue their volunteer service for many years. (cont...)
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The Multiple Wins of Citizen Science (Continued...)
Across the region, over 700 volunteers have been trained. The number of hours volunteered varies by individual, but Beach Watchers as a whole represent a substantial workforce. In Island County alone the program documents an aver-age annual total of 20,000 volunteer hours. In addition, the program represents on-going educational outreach to the public in jurisdictions adjacent to Salish Sea waters and Beach Watchers represent a substantial body of informed citi-zens regarding the marine ecosystems and human interactions that impact these systems.
The academic backgrounds and career experience represented within the Beach Watchers pool is substantial. While the demographic profiles vary within participating counties, a substantial number of Beach Watchers are retired, hold ad-vanced degrees and, at a minimum, have a history of project and or team management. This sophisticated, mature and dedicated workforce that is mobilized and organized through WSU Extension represents a valuable resource for citizen science focused on the marine environment in the Salish Sea.
The understanding and implementation of citizen science has evolved over the 20 plus years of Beach Watchers activity. A protocol for beach monitoring was developed in the 1990s and is used by all counties. In Island County 36 beaches on two islands have been monitored following this protocol for 15 years. Beach monitoring, while not in partnership with a scientific study, provides practice in observation and data collection skills and baseline observations over time throughout county beaches. Data from Island County’s beach monitoring is available at the following site: http://csi.gis.cwu.edu/intertidal_monitor/index.htm
Citizen science roles held by Beach Watchers have shifted over time from simply gathering data to more intensive col-laboration to frame research questions, design monitoring protocols, and enhance interpretation of research results with the benefit of local context. Consistent with roles profiled by Bonney et. al., Beach Watchers have demonstrated capac-ity to participate as partners with scientific inquires in ways that simply contribute through data collection that taps their ability to follow protocols, their availability in time and place and their knowledge of local sites and factors; to collabo-rate through applying their technical and local knowledge to design research protocols; and to apply all these attributes to co-create research with scientists in identifying new research questions.
Research processes gain an outreach advantage in both public education and in practical application of research findings through Beach Watchers’ involvement as citizen scientists. Beach Watchers become informed local citizens who are equipped with knowledge based on their work as citizen scientists to inform others throughout the community and bring an informed perspective to local issues and policy making. This integral outcome of the citizen science relation-ship with research can be leveraged to meet grant requirements for outreach. Further, this natural outcome also bridges research findings with practical applications.
To assure maximum benefits from all the potentials of citizen science, scientists should maintain systems for quality assurance and a routine of on-going training with each season of data collection; communicate back to citizen scientists the findings of the research – tell the story; deliberate with volunteers about next research steps and future projects; incorporate citizen science as a vehicle to accomplish required project outreach; and build into research design and grant budgets an allowance for the administration of volunteer networks, such as Beach Watchers, that build volunteer capacity to assume citizen science roles.
References:
Bonnie, Rick, C.B.Cooper, J.Dickinson, S.Kelling, T.Phillips, K.Rosenberg and J.Shirk, “Citizen Science: A Developing Tool for Expanding Science Knowledge and Scientific Literacy” BioScience. December 2009. Vol.59, No.ll.
Dietz, Thomas and Paul C. Stern, Editors. Public Participation in Environmental Assessment and Decisionmaking (The National Academies, 2008).
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BWAC
Annual Meeting For All IC BW January 11 10:00-2:00 at Padilla Bay
your community Make a presentation or invite a speaker to talk about "the State of the Sound" Sound Waters
7 weekly sessions, guided reading and friendly discussion about water. Explore its uses, ownership and availability and set the stage for increased awareness in Island County about this precious resource. For information contact Barbara: [email protected] Use presentation outline to explain the value and vulnerabilities of Puget Sound and ways we can each help take care of this important resourceFor information contact Barbara: [email protected] Saturday, February 4, 9am to 4PM South Whidbey High School
WSU Extension Island County Beach Watchers Upcoming Events
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Camano Events Friday, Dec 9, 5:30 PM
Beach Watchers Holiday Party Camano Country Club
Wednesday, Jan 11, 10 AM to 2 PM Annual Meeting BWAC Meeting/Potluck Padilla Bay
Saturday, February 4, 9 AM to 4PM Sound Waters South Whidbey High School
Saturday/Sunday, February 25-26 Snow Goose Festival Port Susan
Wednesdays (Jan 4, Feb 1, Feb 29, Mar 28, May 2, May 30, Aug 1, Sep 5, Sep 26, Oct 31, Nov 28) 9:30 AM
Mondays (Jan 9, Feb 6, Mar 5, Apr 2, May 7, June 4, Aug 6, Sep 10, Oct 1, Nov 5, Dec 3) 9:00 AM
Camano Beach Watchers Monthly Meetings Camano Center (Blue Building)
Whidbey Events Thursday, Dec 15, 5 PM
Beach Watchers Holiday Party Holmes Harbor Activity Center, Freeland Hall
Wednesday, Jan 11, 10 AM to 2 PM Annual Meeting BWAC Meeting/Potluck Padilla Bay
Saturday, February 4, 9 AM to 4PM Sound Waters South Whidbey High School
Friday, 1st Friday every month, 9 AM Central Whidbey 1st Friday Breakfasts Whidbey General Hospital
Friday, 2nd Friday every month. 9 AM
South Whidbey 2nd Friday Breakfasts Neil’s Clover Patch, Bayview
Upcoming Beach Watchers Events
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Have You Remembered Beach Watchers This Year?
Did you know that the WSU Island County Beach Watchers program is funded almost entirely by donations?
This fall you should have received invitations to support Island County Beach Watchers through two different funds:
1. The Lighthouse Environmental Programs (LEP) Beach Watchers
2. The WSU Excellence Fund on behalf of Island County Extension - specifying the Beach Watchers Program
Please consider making a contribution to Island County Beach Watchers in your end of year giving. Be sure to designate that your gift to either fund is for Island County Beach Watchers.
