Beach Monitoring is one of Harbor WildWatch’s signature Participatory Science Programs where twice a year (summer & winter), we collect data from different beaches throughout the South Sound area. This information helps us determine how the beaches change over time and could be useful in determining the impact of a future natural or human induced event.
We meet in the parking area of the beach around the scheduled time to organize gear before heading out to our monitoring site (Usually 10-15min past the scheduled start time). See below for more detailed directions about the monitoring location. Participation with these special participatory science events gets you, your friends, and family directly involved with the protection of our local beaches and who knows, may even inspire future ecologists. Mark your calendar for any or all of these upcoming events. Remember, you don’t have to have a science background to participate, nor are you required to stay for the entire duration of the typically 3-4 hour program. All ages welcome.
For Winter Beach monitoring, it just so happens that the lowest tides are during the dark of the night which adds an adventurous twist to our monitoring procedures. While winter Beach Monitoring is a great excuse to visit your favorite beaches at night, you will need to gear up differently than our summertime programs. Because this event is a mix of only the best conditions, COLD, DARK, and WET, here is a list of items to think about having with you: Headlamp, rain coat, rain pants, rain boots, fleece or wool layers, toe warmers, hand warmers, neck gator, hat, gloves, thermos of warm beverage, adventurous attitude!
Penrose Point State Park: Discover Pass Required. Once you pass the first gate to the park, take a right at the “T” in the road. This will lead you to the general parking area where we will meet at the scheduled start time. If you arrive later, walk across the grassy field and our monitoring site is on the beach to the left (you will likely have to walk around the point to see us).
RSVP: https://fb.me/e/1dasVvKty
Contact Stena@harborwildwatch.org for information prior to the event. (It’s not likely that I will check emails night of the program).
Directions to Monitoring Sites for events:
Austin Estuary Park: Meet in the parking area behind the Harbor History Museum along the waterfront in Gig Harbor. Our monitoring location is easy to find but be warned, this beach is muddy! Dress accordingly. (Summer monitoring only).
DeMolay Nature Preserve/Fox Island Sand Spit/Bella Bella Beach: This is a beach with many names. Meet at the gate at the end of Bella Bella Drive. There is additional parking in a lot up the hill and to the right. As you walk down the driveway to the beach, the monitoring location is to your left.
Kopachuck State Park: Discover Pass Required. We will meet in the upper lot and carpool down to the lower parking area (through a locked gate). If you arrive late, enjoy the hike down the hill and head to your left when you get to the beach. The monitoring site is between two large boulders that are exposed during low tide.
Maple Hollow: This lesser known park includes a hike (less than 1 mile) to the beach. You will turn on Van Beek Road KP N and drive until you see a gate on your left to Maple Hollow Park. Pull in and drive to the parking area. Follow the "beach access" signs down the hill. Once you reach the end of the trail, there are stairs leading to the beach and our monitoring site is to the right.
Old Ferry Landing at the Mouth of Gig Harbor: There is very little parking at this location, so I recommend the angle in, public parking on Harborview Drive past the Soundview Drive intersection (near Tides Tavern). The Old Ferry Landing is a short walk to the end of Harborview Drive. The path down to the beach is mildly treacherous, please use caution. Once you reach the beach, the monitoring site is to the left (facing the water).
Penrose Point State Park: Discover Pass Required. Once you pass the first gate to the park, take a right at the "T" in the road. This will lead you to the general parking area. Walk across the grassy field and our monitoring site is on the beach to the left.
Purdy Sand Spit: Our monitoring site is about midway across the Purdy Sand Spit, near the lone madrone tree. There is public parking on West end of the spit but it's closer to park along the road. Please use caution when entering and exiting your vehicle. There is a small scramble over the cobble to get to the beach. Our site is near the old pilings.
Sunrise Beach: Sunrise beach is a turnoff to the left from Moller Drive NW. We will meet in the parking area near an old garage. There is a small hike down a hill to the beach. The monitoring site is near the beach entrance, you can't miss us!
Tacoma Narrows Park: Despite the name, this park is on the Gig Harbor side of the bridge. Through the gate, you will enjoy a tree-rich drive down to the parking area. As you walk down the concrete path to the beach, our monitoring site is down the beach to your right when facing the water.
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