Community scientists help BeachWatchers and Kwiaht maintain the health of East Sound and Indian Island in April, 2011. Photo courtesy of Susan Slapin.
The citizen scientist research projects at Eastsound’s Indian Island Marine Health Observatory continue: Russel Barsh, of Kwiaht says, “The next round of low-tide activities will fast be upon us!”
“July 13 and July 14 we are scheduled for our annual bivalve census. We dug two square meters in 2010 and there was a general feeling that we should aim for a larger 2011 sample, in particular to confirm what appeared to be a lack of recruitment of steamers (Protothaca staminea). I’d like to aim for 10 square meters! The public is welcome to come and observe this clam-dig-for-research.
July 15 we will be fishing in the eelgrass meadow, and visitors are welcome to lend a hand. And July 16 is a DOUBLE outreach day. The tide will be low enough to walk out easily to the island from around 9:30 am to noon, and we also have a booth reserved for the Indian Island MHO at the Farmer’s Market (the Stewardship Network space). Volunteers will be at the booth for show and tell, to distributer bookmarks and trifolds, and to recruit more local support and volunteers. Other volunteers will be on the beach to greet visitors and serve as interpretive guides!
Those interested in volunteering to help with the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory events are asked to contact Barsh by email at rlbarsh@gmail.com
