This page highlights some field trip sites. For a look at what you are going to do on the field trip go to the Field Trip Experiments Page . To prepare for the trip here is the species prep list .
Recommended Spring/Summer Field Trip Sites
These are a few sites that I have been to, I'll build on to this list as next weekend approaches.
Edmonds Ferry Dock . There is a beach right at the Ferry Dock that has a great vertical rocky area. When the tide is very low (like July28th-30th) the whole rocky area is exposed, and makes for great exploring.
Lincoln Park Beach . This beach is near the Vashon Ferry in West Seattle. It is more of a horizontal beach which gets great exposure when the tide is low. I wouldn't recommend this beach except when during a -2 foot tide or lower.
Alki Park Beach . Another beach in West Seattle that offers a nice long horizontal beach. Problem with this beach is that it is VERY POPULAR with anyone and everyone, so watch out for all the people.
Golden Gardens and Carkeek Park Beaches. These beaches in Ballard and Greenwood are o.k. Certainly not my first choice, but they are very convenient for the folks in North Seattle and Ballard. You will also probably fighting the crowds of humans especially on a good intertidal day.
Discovery Park Beach . From what I am told, this is a good intertidal beach combining both a rocky intertidal area and a sandy area.
Dumas Bay Wildlife Preserve (not hot linked) : The following is from a student who took the class in the Summer of 2003). "If anyone wants an excellent intertidal place to visit in the south end of Puget Sound, almost to Tacoma , with a marsh wetland right next to it, there is a little bay in Federal Way called Dumas Bay. Dumas Bay Wildlife Preserve: Located on the shores of Puget Sound, this is a natural habitat for observing local wildlife. There number is 253-835-2000, take 1-5 South to Federal 320th Exit. Turn right at the end of off-ramp. Stay on 320th until it ends, about six miles. Take a right at the fork where it ends. At the next stop sign, take a right onto Dash Pt Road. Contine for 1/4 a mile,then take the first left. Travel about 1/8 mile and you'll see the parking lot on the righthand side. It's a 1/4 mile trail to a rocky intertidal beach and a protected marsh. I've seen crabs, sanddollars, huge clams, seaweed and countless other animals clinging and scuttling around. Next to it is a tidal marsh with excellent birdwatching. It's very quiet and private. Best to go when the tide's out, check tides for Dash Pt St. Park, which is the closest beach,about 1.5 miles away. So that's my recommendation for my favorite rocky intertidal beach."
On the Olympic Peninsula is my favorite rocky beach. Since this website is open to the public, I am not going to give the name or location of the beach, but for the students, you can email me and I'll send you the information.
Recommended Fall/Winter Field Trip Sites
In Fall and Winter Quarters you will be doing an indoor field trip. The Seattle Aquarium has excellent exhibits that focus on Invertebrates and Vertebrates that live in regional saltwater and freshwater environments. You can visit any Aquarium in your area that has exhibits featuring organisms from the Pacific Northwest waters, for example: Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium , Oregon Coast Aquarium , or the Vancouver Aquarium .
