Week 1 in the Beach Naturalists Program: Diving Into Shoreline Life

The first week of the Beach Naturalists program just wrapped up, and wow—my brain is happily full of sea-salty knowledge. It's been such a fun deep-dive (pun intended) into the incredible world of our local beaches and the Salish Sea. Here's a quick recap of everything we explored during our kickoff week!

🌊 A Glimpse Into Salish Sea History

We started the week by grounding ourselves in the rich history of the Salish Sea. It's more than just a stunning body of water—it’s been home to Coast Salish peoples for thousands of years. We learned how the sea has shaped culture, tradition, and life in this region, and how human influence has changed (and is still changing) the ecosystem. This was such an important reminder of the need to approach this work with respect and understanding for the communities that have always been its stewards.

🌊 Tides & Zonation

Next up: tides and zonation! If you’ve ever walked along the beach and noticed different critters living at different levels, that’s zonation in action. We learned how tides create unique zones—from the high splash zone to the subtidal zone—and how each one supports its own special group of organisms. I’ll never look at barnacles, limpets, or seaweed the same way again!

🌊 Coastal Processes

Let’s talk waves, erosion, and sediment! 🌬️ We dove into the natural processes that shape our coastlines—how they move, shift, and grow over time. It’s like the beach is always changing outfits depending on the weather, wave action, and human activity. I loved getting a better understanding of how dynamic and powerful these systems are.

🌊 Nearshore Habitats

This was one of my favorite parts! We explored the magical world of nearshore habitats—think eelgrass beds, kelp forests, estuaries, and sandy beaches. These areas are so important to marine life, especially juvenile salmon and forage fish. It’s wild how something as simple as shoreline vegetation can make or break an ecosystem. Total game-changer in how I see the "in-between" spaces where land meets sea.

🌊 Beach Etiquette

Last but not least: how to be a good beach visitor! We learned the dos and don’ts of tidepooling and beach walking. Step lightly, don’t move rocks (or if you do, put them back the way you found them!), don’t pick up animals, and always leave everything the way nature intended. It’s all about minimizing our impact so future beachgoers—and beach creatures—can enjoy these spaces too.

All in all, week one was a whirlwind of knowledge, sandy shoes, and growing curiosity. I can already tell this journey is going to be so rewarding. I’m excited to keep learning and sharing what I pick up along the way—so if you're curious about marine life, coastal conservation, or how to be a better beach explorer, stick around! 🐚

Until next time, stay salty!