By Isla, Alice, Cynthia, and Matthew

We started our day with a 7:00 am wake-up call and took a 20-minute van ride over to Cattle Point.

There, we met Dr. Katie Dobkowski, an associate professor at Woodbury University, and two undergraduate students studying with her. We first did a quick survey of the beach, picking up pieces of crabs and their molts.

Our next task was to contribute to a 40-year data set on differences in algae biodiversity based on distance from the water. We laid out a transect and placed quadrats every two meters.

Within the quadrats, we identified the coverage percentage of the different species of algae.

The data we collected offers a better understanding of algae population changes on the Cattle Point shore. After a couple of hours of observing and recording, we ate lunch up by the lighthouse.

Back at the lab, we revisited our fecal coliform test on the marina water. Based on the colonies that grew in our samples, we were able to determine that the water is in excellent condition.

This means that the water treatment facility in Friday Harbor is working well!

Later, we went back to the dorms to continue our individual project brainstorms.

The end!

Blog Credits: Aoife, Ripley, Wesley, Violet

Our morning began as any good morning should–with eelgrass! We met up with local ecologist Sage Enright, who works with the San Juan Islands Conservation District to restore a rapidly declining population of eelgrass. We surveyed the beach at Friday Harbor Labs, recording the number of cockle shells carrying eelgrass seeds that were attached by scientists. These shells act as “planters”, burrowing into the sand and dispersing the seeds among the sediment.

For a short break in-between surveys, we were able to explore the beach and tide pools. It was interesting to observe how the organisms at Deadman’s Bay and the beach at Friday Harbor Labs compared. Oysters and large crabs were abundant at the beach today, something we hadn’t seen at Deadman’s.

We ended our busy morning with a lunch break at Turn Point County Park. Luckily for us, Sage joined us to teach more about the structure and uses of eelgrass, which is vitally important to both the ecosystem and Coast Salish Peoples.

Each month, scientists conduct water testing on behalf of the Port of Friday Harbor to ensure the safety of the community. This month, we got the privilege to assist in the collection and processing of seawater samples from selected locations around the marina. These water samples are used to check for overabundance of a harmful bacteria, fecal coliform. We took our samples back to the lab to prepare them for incubation, where we can record the bacterial concentration.

Today was an exciting blur of hands-on field and lab work. We’re excited to get back out there tomorrow and assist another scientist with their research. Tonight, we are having dinner with Dr. Richard Strathmann, a professor at the University of Washington who also focuses on embryology at Friday Harbor Labs.