Join Marine Stewards for Final 2012 Research Days at Indian Island

Community scientists with the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory participate in beach seining earlier this year. Photo courtesy of Andria Hagstron.

By Marcia Spees

Join local volunteers and scientists in intertidal research at Indian Island for the last big low tides of the summer. Indian Island is the small island you see in the bay when going through Eastsound. It is accessible in daylight via a tombolo (revealed pathway at low tide) only a handful of days a year.

Here on Orcas the non-profit Indian Island Marine Health Observatory documents and monitors the populations of marine life which inhabit the incredibly rich environs of Indian Island.

IIMHO stewards also share all sorts of information about the island to the 8,000 – 10,000 visitors who yearly walk out to this Bureau of Land Management property.

You are welcome to join in the project at any time and expand your awareness of our marine environment. Research protocols for the low tides July 30, 31 and August 1,2 with start times are as follows:

Mon., July 30 – 8:30 a.m. (-1.8) – Invertebrate Surveys

Tue., July 31 – 8:30 a.m. (-2.0) – Invertebrate Surveys

Wed., Aug. 1 – 9:30 a.m. (-1.9) – Fish Seining

Thur., Aug. 2 – 10:00 a.m. (-1.5) – Stewards on the Beach

The IIMHO team is always looking for new volunteers if you would like to help. No experience necessary, just a love of the marine environment. For more information about volunteer opportunities, call Marcia Spees 376-4084.

The low tide window allowing access to the island lasts about two hours. Meet at the tide pools around Indian Island. Wear appropriate footwear (wet sand, gravel, shallow water), and come on down to the beach!

To learn more about the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory, go to www.Indianisland.info.