San Juan County Beach Watchers

WSU Beach Watchers are trained volunteers who promote science-based marine stewardship through education, research, public awareness and example.

 

Beach Watchers are dedicated to protecting San Juan County's fragile environment through research-based public outreach. We love sharing our enthusiasm with others who want to know more about this beautiful place and join us in helping protect it.

 

Are you the "right fit" to be a Beach Watcher?

• Do you have some spare time you can devote to the training?
• Do you have a passion for service or volunteering?
• Do you want to do something positive for the islands?
• Do you want to get to know some fellow marine enthusiasts?
• Do you enjoy learning new things?
• Do you want to help educate, protect or study the island environment?

If the answers are yes, you will enjoy this program!
See further information on Beach Watcher Training.

What is the WSU Beach Watchers Program?

An exciting marine stewardship education program offered by WSU Extension San Juan County. It is based on the highly successful WSU Master Gardener Volunteer Program Format.

San Juan County graduated its first class of WSU Beach Watchers on April 21, 2006, the second class in April 2007, and the third in April 2008.

How does it work?

Volunteers receive approximately 100 hours of training from Washington State University in the physical, biological, and cultural aspects of marine steward ship. In return trained Beach Watcher volunteers provide 100 hours of volunteer service back educating citizens and visitors in the community.

This is a new program in San Juan County, so there will be plenty of opportunity to bring your ideas and skills and help build the program you want.

Beach Watchers are non-regulatory and do not participate in enforcement of laws. We are committed to ?educate and not regulate? as a means of promoting marine stewardship.

Why a marine stewardship program in the San Juan Islands?

All of San Juan County is now designated as a Marine Stewardship Area. There is an urgent need to educate residents about the fragile ecology of our beautiful islands? shoreline and nearshore environment. WSU Beach Watchers will provide a group of highly trained volunteers to educate the community on the beaches, at marinas, on ferries, at parks and by request, to groups. Beach Watcher volunteers will also assist in research by collecting valuable data. WSU Beach Watchers work in cooperation with other local stewardship groups in order to provide needed activities and not duplicate other successful programs

What do Beach Watcher volunteers do?

• Interpret natural history and gather data on beaches and at the local
• ational, state, and county parks.
• Provide outreach to boaters at participating marinas and ports.
• Sponsor educational programs and workshops in the community.
• Publish handbooks, newsletters, and website articles.
• Provide a Speaker's Bureau for marine related topics.
• Collect valuable data to assist in research projects.
• Contribute to marine stewardship projects such as identifying and destroying invasive marine species.

 

To see what we did last summer read our summary: Beach Watchers Activity Report for 2007 . To see some upcoming activities, visit our 'jobs board'.

What is the time commitment?

Volunteers must commit to attend all the training, though they may work with the coordinator to substitute alternative equivalent education. There will be 16 training days. Classes will be held two days per week for eight weeks in March and April, primarily on San Juan and Orcas Islands.

After your training you will provide 100 hours of community service over the next two years. There are lots of options and flexibility for setting your own volunteer schedule.

How do I become a Beach Watcher volunteer?

Please contact us.

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WSU Extension - San Juan County    221 Weber Way Suite LL, Friday Harbor, WA 98250    Contact Us