Beach Monitoring & Molt Search

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 at the scheduled time to organize gear before heading out to our monitoring site. See below for more detailed directions about the monitoring location. Participation with these special community 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 Summer Beach Monitoring we recommend that you are prepared with layers (it does tend to be cold at the beach), sun protection, snacks, hydration, and closed toed shoes (rain boots, water shoes, or old sneakers you don’t mind getting wet work great). Some folks like having a light pair of rain pants for keeping dry when we kneel on the beach but that’s not required.

These events will include a training on how to conduct a MOLT SEARCH. This is a program that you can participate in to be part of an early detection program monitoring for European green crab. Early detection of the presence of European green crab will give managers the best chance of reducing the spread and impact of this globally damaging invasive species. We’re excited to have you be part of the team: wsg.washington.edu/moltsearch

Maple Hollow:

Getting to the Beach: Park in designated spots. Do not block the road or the gate please. We will meet near the restroom at the head of the trail before walking down to the beach as a group. Look for Harbor WildWatch staff and volunteers wearing blue. If you arrive late, enjoy the hike following signs to the beach access and meet up with us on the beach!
Terrain: There is a long downhill walk throughforest that can be steep at times with a variety of stairs that lead to thebeach. The beach is a low slope including areas with sand, gravel, cobble, andoccasional boulders.
Restroom: Yes – portable toilets
Drinking Water: no
Address: 4411 Van Beek Road NW, Lakebay, WA 98349