Wildside

Weekly

June 1, 2022

FEATURED EVENTS

June 1 & 2: Beach Monitoring

Join us on the beach for some community science! These events are an in depth look at the intertidal life at various beaches in the south sound. They typically last 3-4 hours, so don't worry if you can't stay the whole time.Check our Facebook events for more details about each event:

Wednesday, June 1, 11am, Purdy Sand Spit-meet mid spit near the lone madrone tree on the public side.

Thursday, June 2, 11am, Austin Park-meet behind the Harbor History Museum before heading out to this MUDDY beach.

June 4 & 5: Maritime Gig Fest

Come join the fun this weekend to celebrate the Gig Harbor Community. Come say hi to the Harbor WildWatch team and visit our incredible touch tanks at the Skansie House while you enjoy the festivities! For more information about the weekend events, visit the Maritime Gig Fest website.

Skansie Visitor &

Interpretive Center

Open Wed-Saturday, 10-4pm

3207 Harborview Drive • Gig Harbor

And of course we're open 10-4 on Sunday June 5th for Gig Fest!

STEWARDSHIP TIP

Putting the BEYOND in the seaStars & Beyond Jr. Naturalist Training Program!

The vision of Harbor WildWatch is to be a catalyst for environmental action and wowzers does it warm our little heart strings to see students who have participated in our youth programs continuing the good work out in their communities. Eamon Keating is one such student. Not only does Eamon volunteer to analyze water samples for Blue Water Task Force (Sept - May, monthly water quality monitoring program), but he is also quite the underwater robot expert with a passion for marine biology! Check out this news bit featuring the FIN-tastic work that Eamon and other students are doing to help salmon in our local waters. WE ARE SO PROUD!!!!

Get the FULL Story HERE!

IN THE FIELD

Achievements and Data Trends after 7 Years of Monitoring Young-of-the-Year Rockfish in the Southern Salish Sea

Cocktails & Fishtales

May 25, 2022

Adam Obaza,

Paua Marine Research Group

Community science efforts really do make a difference! In case you missed it, you can learn more about the results of seven years of monitoring young-of-the-year rockfish in the Puget Sound. Adam Obaza takes us on a tour through recovery of ESA listed rockfishes in the Salish Sea, the collaboration with many partners to build a survey network (notably including Harbor WildWatch!), and the high-level data this effort is already producing. We hope that you enjoy watching this great presentation - Adam ROCKS!

CREATURE FEATURE

Stubby Squid, Rossia pacifica

The stubby squid, also known as bobtail squid, are part of the sepiolid family of cephalopods. Though they look like squid they are not a true squid! They are more closely related to the cuttlefish. This critter looks like a mix between an octopus and a squid and has many similar habits of both. They can swim using jet propulsion and the pair of fins they have on each side of their bodies. But they also spend a considerable amount of time on the bottom of the ocean and often bury themselves in the sand. They have two long arms and eight legs with suckers. They only get to about six centimeters in length at full maturity and have a life span of about 2 years.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

6/12: Tacoma Ocean Fest

This festival is dedicated to inspiring people to protect the ocean. Say hi to the Harbor WildWatch booth as you check out all the fun to be had outside and inside the Foss Waterway Seaport museum, 705 Dock St, Tacoma