Puget Sound contains 40 cubic miles of water, making it the largest U.S. estuary by volume. It is home to thousands of species including marine invertebrates, mammals and fish. Learning everything about our marine environment would take a lifetime of PhDs.
The Vashon-Maury Island shoreline is 50 miles long — half the coastline of King County. Our beaches and nearshore habitats host fascinating species from microscopic plankton and tiny crabs to otherworldly nudibranchs and the world’s largest octopus. But you could learn a lot about it in a handful of evening classes and a few field trips.
Vashon Beach Naturalists was organized 10 years ago to develop a corps of volunteer educators to staff events for the Vashon Nature Center. Every other year, they conduct a training course for new recruits. Graduates help guide school and public beach walks, collect data for citizen science programs, and participate in the Low Tide Celebration, Full Moon Beach Walk and BioBlitz.
This year, the training course runs from the end of April until mid-June. There are five teachers, all experts in their respective disciplines, including Tessa Francis, forage fish specialist from the University of Washington, and Tom DeVries, who recently retired from Vashon High School and is fluent in multiple fields.
The study of Vashon’s beaches begins with the geology and oceanography of the Salish Sea, then moves on to the coastal geology of Puget Sound and specifically Vashon-Maury Island. Field trips are interspersed with classroom sessions, so the biology and ecology of the beaches and intertidal zone are taught at Dockton Park, KVI Beach, Point Robinson and on a boat in Quartermaster Harbor.
Students get a chance to study marine life up-close by focusing on the top 20 marine invertebrates in the intertidal zone. They also study the larger environmental processes that tie these species to fish, marine mammals and birds.
The course is designed to turn current students into future teachers so they can instruct the next wave of curious beachgoers. They will also learn the art of interpretation — various ways of presenting information that tailors it to the person receiving it.
The Vashon Beach Naturalist course is based on the master gardener and master birder model. Tuition for the course is deferred for students who serve as volunteers for Vashon Nature Center events. The course costs $225, but a student can pay just $40 to cover materials and commit to serving 25 hours of volunteer time sharing what they’ve learned. Online class registration begins on Feb. 28 at vashonnaturecenter.org/vbn.
Bird of the Season: varied thrush
Varied thrushes are the vivid inhabitants of the wet winter woods on Vashon. We host flocks of them from fall to spring, especially in the cedar forests of the west side around Shinglemill Creek. As spring arrives, varied thrushes, which are altitudinal migrants, begin to head for higher ground to breed.
Unlike other thrushes, such as Swainson’s, hermit and robins, which are spread out across the continent, varied thrushes are only found on the West Coast between central California and northern Alaska. They thrive in damp, mossy forests — the wetter the better as far as they’re concerned.
This is one of the reasons that varied thrushes will suffer from climate change. As summers become longer and hotter, winters shorter and drier, and forest fires more intense and widespread, varied thrushes will have less habitat in which to sing their iconic, harmonic whistle from atop tall conifers.
Many birds have already been affected by climate change. Though they are more adaptable than species that can’t fly, their reliance on specific habitats and food sources will continue to cause problems for them in the coming years.
On Thursday, March 14, Vashon Audubon will host a presentation on birds and climate change by Dr. Trina Bayard and Teri Anderson of Audubon Washington to discuss which of our local species are at risk and what we might do. Please see the Field Notes Calendar for details.
Nature Calendar:
Thursday, Feb. 28
Beach Naturalist Training
Registration opens for Vashon Beach Naturalist training program. The course runs from April 24 to June 19. For details and to sign up, go to vashonnaturecenter.org/vbn
Thursday, March 7
VNC’s Nature Lounge
John Rupp, a member of the science advisory panel for the Vashon Nature Center, will talk about the sharks of Puget Sound. Rupp is recently retired from the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, where he specialized in elasmobranchs: sharks, skates and rays. In addition, it’s guest bartender night — 10 percent of all purchases from 6 to 9 p.m. benefit The Vashon Nature Center.
7 p.m. at The Hardware Store Restaurant
Saturday, March 9
Vashon Audubon Field Trip
Come birding on the island. Drop in, free and no experience necessary. Bring binoculars and scopes if you have them and wear walking shoes or boots. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Carpools encouraged and can be arranged at Ober Park.
9 to 11 a.m. Meet at Ober Park Park & Ride
Thursday, March 14
Birds and Climate Change presentation by Trina Bayard, PhD, and Teri Anderson of Audubon Washington. Learn which of our local species are at risk, how we can protect bird habitat and ways to reduce the severity of climate change. Sponsored by Vashon Audubon. Free.
7 p.m. at the Land Trust Building
Friday, March 15
Vashon Wilderness Program
The first of several free opportunities this spring to experience the Vashon Wilderness Program’s unique approach to nature-connection mentoring for children ages 3 to 12. Registration is required. More information at vashonwildernessprogram.org.
Monday, March 18
Forage Fish Survey
Help survey Vashon beaches for forage fish. Bring sturdy shoes and a headlamp, and dress for the weather. Ability to walk a couple of miles on the beach at night is necessary. No prior experience is needed. Email mariametler.vnc@gmail.com to sign up or for more information.
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19
Forage Fish Sample Processing
No prior experience is needed. Must be able to lift 50 pounds. Fun, physical, work lasts three to four hours depending on a number of volunteers. Qualifies for high school service hours. Email mariametler.vnc@gmail.com to sign up or for more information.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27
Land Trust Annual Meeting
The even will feature an open house with a brief program, the election of board members, a chance to visit with board and staff, and refreshments. Ask questions, find out what they are working on, and honor Land Trust founder, Emma Amiad, before she departs Vashon for new adventures.
6 p.m. at the Land Trust Building
Thursday, March 28
Land Trust Book Group
The Seed Underground: A Growing Revolution to Save Food by Janisse Ray
Part memoir, part botany primer, part political manifesto about saving heirloom seeds to combat a lack of diversity in our food supply.
6:30 p.m. at the Land Trust Building
