The 2012 Jefferson County Beach Watchers completed most of their training on field trips to local beaches, streams, forests and wetlands. Curriculum Coordinator Michael Adams and Volunteer Coordinator Mary Pitts organized this packed schedule of learning activities.
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| Beach Watchers learn about raising clams on Indian Island |
The course started with classroom instruction in watershed ecology, biology, soil science, water quality monitoring and related topics. This lecture material was quickly put to use. On the second day of class the Beach Watchers were already in the field learning about storm water management while visiting a bioswale in Port Townsend.
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| Matt Berberich explains rain garden construction, planting and maintenance |
There were several field trips to watershed restoration projects. Peter Bahls led a tour to multiple sites in the Tarboo Watershed Restoration.
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| Field trip to Tarboo Watershed Restoration |
The North Olympic Salmon Coalition (NOSC) team provided opportunities for Beach Watchers to become actively involved in the NOSC riparian and salt marsh restoration projects.
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| Beach Watchers plant trees at NOSC Snow Creek Restoration |
A few adventurous Beach Watchers participated in Fyke netting in Discovery Bay. Nets were placed in the bay to temporarily capture fish for observation and counting. NOSC uses data on the types and numbers of fish to evaluate restoration efforts.
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| Fyke netting in Discovery Bay |
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| Hardy Beach Watchers don wetsuits for Fyke netting on a chilly March morning |
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| The Little Quilcene delta complex restoration provided a perfect location for the official Beach Watcher 2012 group photo. |
