WSU Beach Watchers:

San Juan County

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

WSU Beach Watchers: 2011 class visits Vendovi Island

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.

WSU Beach Watchers finding birds at Jackson's Lagoon

As of May 16, 2012. funding is uncertain for Beach Watchers in San Juan County. There will be no 2012 class. However, Beach Watcher volunteers continue to be active in the county and the future holds promise for funding the program sustainably.

For more information: You can call our office at 378-4414 to have an application sent to you. Send to us by email:sjce@wsu.edu or send to WSU Extension, 221 Weber Way, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Visit our blog! http://sanjuancobeachwatchers.blogspot.com/

What kind of classroom would you most enjoy?

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 in 2006. The last class was held in the spring, 2011.

How does it work?

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

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.

WSU Beach Watchers participating in microplastics survey, South Beach

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 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 also assist in research by collecting valuable data. WSU Beach Watchers work in cooperation with other local stewardship groups in order to complement, rather than duplicate their activities.

What do Beach Watcher volunteers do?

Interpret natural history and gather data on beaches and at the local national, 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 removing invasive marine species.

WSU Beach Watcher explains the need for using rot or escape cord to crabber

WSU Beach Watcher gives instruction on watching sea birds

WSU Beach Watcher demostrates pair bonding in eagles

What is the time commitment?

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.

Note: 10 hours of outreach will be required of all volunteers.