Not just another day at the beach

Those who took time to spend their Sunday morning at Priest Point Park or Burfoot Park likely ran into several volunteers along both beaches who were busy pointing out various sea creatures and wildlife as part of a beach naturalist program.

The program was launched by the South Sound Estuary Association and is now in its third year.

So far it has trained 49 people as beach naturalists, volunteers who can explain to children and adults the natural habitat at parks that abut Budd Inlet or other parts of Puget Sound.

The goal of the program is to help those who use the parks connect, understand and love the beach environment around them, program coordinator Leihla Scharlau said.

“Once they love it, they’ll find ways to protect it,” she said.

Volunteers were stationed at both parks for about three hours Sunday, ready to explain the beachfront sea life or a nearby bird to anyone who was curious.

Beach naturalist Valerie Pollet of Olympia, who was at Priest Point Park at low tide Sunday morning, said the beach is home to all types of creatures, including clams, snails, crabs, worms, seaweed and birds, such as gulls and herons.

Not only does she get to point this out to the children who visit with their parents or grandparents, she also gets to explain how important it is to leave those sea creatures behind to protect the habitat of the area.

“We get to share knowledge and learn about things in the area,” Pollet said.

Margaret Dietrich of Lacey, who visited Priest Point Park with her granddaughter Jadyn, said she’s visited the park several times over the years, but Sunday was her first at low tide and with a beach naturalist. She said she never would have known about the horse clams in the area without the assistance of a beach naturalist.

The beach naturalists also pick up litter that has washed ashore. A rubber duck, similar to the ones dropped for the annual duck dash at Tumwater Falls, was found Sunday at Priest Point Park. Other naturalists said they have recovered as many as 100 golf balls, likely driven into the inlet by someone practicing their shot.

The South Sound Estuary Association also received a $2,000 grant, which it will use to operate a free shuttle from the LOTT WET Science Center to one of the area parks, such as Burfoot, Priest Point or Tolmie State Park. The center is located at 500 Adams St. N.E. in Olympia.

The beach naturalists will offer their expertise again from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday at Priest Point Park.