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Remembering Sheri Barr
Join us in honoring Sheri Barr, who passed away last fall.Â
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ESC recently hosted a family day at the beach for two afterschool programs through Puget Sound Educational Service District . Families from Sunnycrest Elementary School and Wildwood Elementary School came to Seahurst to explore the beach at low tide, hike through the forest, and partake in family fun activities! Despite the constant, pouring rain these families had fun adventuring together and we were thrilled to have them!
Give us your best caption to this crab selfie in the comments!
Did you know that Red Rock Crabs hide underneath rocks during low tide to stay cool and protected? These animals have many different adaptations to stay protected while in and out of the water. Remember when you are on the beach to use your eyes, not your fingers, to meet these underwater neighbors. They have one of the stronger claws in the crab world!
Explore Seahurst’s shoreline with Environmental Science Center Naturalists or on your own using our beach guides during select low tides. ESC staff and volunteers will be on the beach to facilitate safe exploring, animal identification, and stewardship tips. Come or any of all of this 2-hour program!
Meet near the restrooms or on the beach to start your journey!
This FREE program is designed for outdoor explorers of all ages and skill levels.
Why is gardening important to you?
We have been working with Renton Parks and Recreation STREAM Team to learn about gardening and even do some planting! These elementary students recently got the chance to plant a variety of produce and will continue to care for them. As one student said: "Gardening is good for the environment because plants give people food and oxygen!"
Special thanks to Farmer Frog for providing materials and fun-filled instructions for our gardeners in training!
Tide Pools for Tots is back! On select low tide days this summer, we will be hosting this 1 hour program designed for marine explorers ages 2-4 and their adults. Join Naturalists to sing songs, read books, and explore Seahurst Beach. This 1 hour program is FREE with REQUIRED REGISTRATION. Check out our Events page or website to sign up!
Does this go from 9 am to 10 PM? Like morning through night?
Lena Carr
These barnacles have the best view of Puget Sound! If these animals could speak, what do you think they would tell us?
Barnacles are relatives of crabs and shrimp that form a protective shell around their body in the shape of a volcano. They create a cement to glue their head to a hard surface and kick their legs, called cirri, out to eat. It is estimated that there are 900 species of barnacles worldwide, and 65 of those species can be found in the Pacific Northwest!
Our team is growing!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Community Engagement Manager, Katy Kachmarik! Katy earned her B.S. in marine biology from the University of Oregon. Ever since she has worked to connect people to their local waterways and build empathy for marine wildlife. She is excited to bring her enthusiasm for accessible environmental education to ESC's community programs. Katy has held many different education and outreach positions at various institutions including Highline College's Marine Science and Technology Center, Pacific Science Center, and Imagine Children's Musuem. She is currently working on her M.A. in Biology and Community Engagment through Woodland Park Zoo's Advanced Inquiry Program. In her spare time she can be found watching Disney movies, gardening on her apartment's patio, or doing homework for her graduate program.
Get to know Katy better by attending our upcoming FREE summer programs! More details coming soon.
I recognize her from the Pacific Science Center! We used to visit every week before the pandemic and she was always outgoing, friendly, and informative…big congratulations!
You won’t find a harder working, enthusiastic young woman than Katy Kachmarik. Her knowledge and skills will only elevate your endeavors. Congratulations!!
We recently took plankton and microscopes to the New Futures After School Program run by Southwest Youth And Family Services. Students got the chance to build their science skills by looking at the base of the marine food web under a microscope, identify the organism, and draw their observations. What a fun group of young ocean exploreres!
Did you know that plankton means drifter or wanderer in Greek? These are plants and animals that drift with the currents.
Thank you so much for joining us for the Environmental Science Center's 2022 Heroes for Nature Gala-you are a vital part of our community!
Gifts are continuing to roll in but so far we have raised $86,505 to support environmental education in south King County! This would not have been possible without your generosity. Whether you donated online, bought raffle tickets, bid on the desert dash, held a falcon, or raised your paddle, you are a critical part of helping thousands of people deepen their connection with nature.
We will put your dollars to work immediately to raise awareness for nearshore conservation and stormwater pollution prevention during our free in-school Beach and Salmon Heroes programs, strengthen teacher’s confidence when educating their students in the outdoors during our new teacher workshops series, and support dedicated youth leaders in the field restoring salmon habitats.
Photo: Guest speaker and Madrona Elementary teacher, Isel Sanchez, wearing a burnt orange dress, speaks from a podium to enchanted audience seated at dining tables. Madrona trees are in view from open bay doors in background.
At the Environmental Science Center, we are so fortunate to partner with dedicated teachers in south King County who see the value of going above and beyond to get their students outside of the four walls of the classroom into the outdoors. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week and thank you for inspiring the next generation to take care of our shared waterways!