Current Beach Naturalists go here ⇒
The Rosario Beach Naturalist Program began as a collaboration between Deception Pass State Park and WSU Beach Watchers. The Beach Naturalist program is designed to promote interpretation and conservation at tide pools and beaches in our area.
If you like people, enjoy being on the beach, and are passionate about marine education; consider becoming a Rosario Beach Naturalist.
- Rosario Beach Naturalists serve as stewards and educators at the Rosario Tide Pools.
- All training is required and free and will take place at Deception Pass State Park’s West Beach Shelter on Wednesdays in March and April.
- Gain experience with environmental education.
- There is also a Saturday Mentor Day to help get your feet wet with experienced Beach naturalists and marine invertebrate expert, Dr. Benjamin Miner (WWU). As well as a field trip!
- A schedule of classes can be viewed below:
TRAINING DAYS FOR 2018:
Wednesday, 3/21, 6-8pm – Welcome & Intro, Movie Viewing: Maiden of Deception Pass
Wednesday, 3/28, 6-8pm – Volunteer Sign Up overview; Marine Invertebrates (Andrew Rice- M.S. in biology Walla Walla University)
Wednesday, 4/4, 6-8pm – Tides and Currents (Jack Hartt- retired DPSP Area Manager); Marine Mammals (Matt Klope- retired wildlife biologist US Navy)
4/11, 6-8pm – Environmental Education (Susan Wood- Padilla Bay Education Coordinator), Interacting with Kids (Jackie French- lead DPSP AmeriCorps Interpreter)
Mentor Day: 4/21, 12-4pm – Get your feet wet and learn together! Experienced Beach Naturalists pair with new volunteers to show you the ropes. We then walk through the tide pools together with Dr. Benjamin Miner (marine invertebrate- WWU)
Graduation: 4/28, 10-2pm – Celebrate graduating the class with a boat tour- courtesy of Deception Pass tours. Afterwards, enjoy a potluck with your fellow Beach Naturalists!
Learn about: Deception Pass State Park, tide pools 101, tides and currents, intertidal invertebrates, coastal ecology and processes, marine mammals, story of the Maiden, interpretation, environmental education and more!
- For questions or to sign up for the training to become a Beach Naturalist, please contact Deception Pass Interpretive Services at dpbeachnaturalist@gmail.com or call (360) 675-3767 ext. 231
