Project Year: 2017
Washington Park, located in Anacortes WA, has two rocky intertidal areas at Green Point and Sunset Beach that are being negatively impacted by the unintentional careless behavior of beach visitors. Skagit County Marine Resources Committee partnered with the City of Anacortes and the Coastal Volunteer Partnership to design and install an interpretive sign to help educate visitors about the tide pools and what they can do to help protect the critters that live there. The beautiful artwork was done by a local artist from Port Townsend WA, Larry Eifert. The beach naturalist volunteers from the Coastal Volunteer Partnership helped develop the guidelines for proper beach etiquette.
HOW TO BE A FRIENDLY TIDE POOL VISITOR
Just like you, tide pool organisms are adapted to living in special conditions. Many of the plants and animals that live here are sensitive to the impacts people have when visiting. Remember, when exploring the tide pools, you're in someone else's home. Please be a good visitor by following the guidelines below:
WATCH YOUR STEP
Step on bare rock or sand when possible and avoid walking on areas clearly covered with critters or seaweed.
SLOW DOWN
Enjoy the experience. Look closely and patiently observe the sea life in its home. Quietly watching a pool will reveal animals that would go unnoticed in a rush.
NO ROCK N' ROLL
If you move the rocks, pick them straight up. Rolling rocks crushes animals that live on the side or underneath rocks. Carefully return rocks and critters to exact position you found them in.
BE GENTLE & USE WET FINGERS TO TOUCH
Attaching to rocks is how many tide pool inhabitants survive the crashing waves. Please don't pull anything off rocks, or touch them with dry hands. You could hurt them, making them vulnerable to predators & the elements.
KEEP IT LOW & LET IT GO
A drop from a few feet in the air could do some serious damage to a small snail or crab. You wouldn't like it if someone moved you from your house to somewhere far away, so please don't do that to those who live here.
TAKE ONLY PICTURES
Leave the wildlife and plants for others to enjoy. Many of our beaches are portected by law.
KEEP IT CLEAN
Don't leave garbage behind, and pick up any trash you see. The beach will be prettier for us to enjoy, and the critters will thank you for keeping their home tidy.
THANK YOU & HAVE FUN!
