Blog Credits: Chiska Francis, Satya Mayeux, Max Chung
Students surveying the algae and seaweed growth (Photo credit: Chiska)
After a tiring day of weeding and surveying the Westside Preserve with Shauna Barrows, this morning we slept in until 7:15 am, and headed to Cattle Point to survey algae and seaweed growth with Dr. Dobkowski and her class from Friday Harbor Labs (FHL).
Dr. Dobkowski is conducting research on the strength of species interactions between Northern Kelp Crabs (Pugettia producta), numerous species of macroalgae (including bull kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana), and other species of invertebrates in the nearshore subtidal to understand what level of top-down control kelp crabs might exert in the system.
Everyone eating lunch at Cattle Point (Photo credit: Annalise)
After transecting and surveying 4 locations, we stopped at the lighthouse to have lunch. Not pictured, but on the drive home we saw a black fox with a white tail tip!
We then headed back to the dorms to prepare for our debate on Thursday and project presentations on Friday!
Can you tell the difference between Annalise and Chiska? (Photo credit: Fenn)Everyone working on our projects in the dorms (Photo credit: Chiska)
We are all so excited to present our projects to the parents, guest speakers, and staff on Friday! This project focuses on developing a preliminary proposal for a conservation or restoration project that could conceivably be implemented in our home areas. The prompts for our projects are grant applications and an RFP (Request for Proposal).
Then Magali Cota gave us a wonderful presentation about her job as an environmental law attorney at Friends of the San Juans, going into the ins and outs of her job and the things she is doing to help the community here on San Juan Island!
After Magali Cota’s presentation, our amazing dinner crew (Cooper, Bella, and Sophie) made a delicious dinner.
We are very excited to have Megan Cook tonight. She will be speaking with us from the E/V Nautilus, which is a research vessel stationed above the Mariana Trench! She is the Director of Communications and Outreach for the Ocean Exploration Trust, which was founded by Dr. Bob Ballard, who discovered the Titanic! We are all ready to hear what she has to tell us!
Blog Credits: Chiska Francis, Satya Mayeux, Max Chung
The day started off with breakfast and lunch makings that we are soon to be tired of. Everyone is starting to get oriented and used to the routine. We had a packed day of activities and listening to speakers.
The group listening to Tracie Merrill’s introduction to the Whale Museum. (Photo Credit: Satya)
The day started off with a short walk to the Whale Museum down in Friday Harbor. Tracie Merrill, the Education Director gave us a in-depth tour of the different pods of orcas in the Salish Sea. We learned the difference between a transient and resident orca.
Transient orcas eat big mammals such as seals, sea lions, and porpoises. Residents really like Chinook salmon, which is especially popular May through September.
The first documented case of conjoined harbor seal twins found in the world. (Photo Credit: Chiska)
In Tracie’s very interesting tour, she showed us the worlds first documented case of conjoined harbor seal twins. The mother sadly died at birth due to the complications and the seals died before or during birth. Tests confirmed that the anomaly was not due to environmental toxins or contaminants, but because of disordered embryonic migration and fusion.
A photo of the clear, shiny water at County Park (Photo Credit: Chiska)
After leaving the Whale Museum, we shortly after headed to County Park where we enjoyed a nice lunch packed in the morning. After staying there for nearly 1.5 hours, we spotted something in the distance.
Transient 100 pod spotted at County Park (Photo Credit: Chiska)
Right when we were loading into the van to head to Lime Kiln, 7 whale watching boats were spotted, so we knew there was something attracting the attention. After waiting 10 minutes, we spotted the Transient 100 pod only with Laurel (female) Estrella (female) Hutchins (female). They were reaching the surface every 30 seconds, and watching them for 25 minutes was peaceful. Others gathered around and we whale watched until it was time to head to Lime Kiln Point State Park.
Our group pictured in front of the light house with Josiah and Erin. (Photo Credit: Erin)
After a nice lunch with whales, we headed to Lime Kiln to meet Josiah Feld and Erin Audrey Corra.
Josiah Feld is the Vice President of PKOLS Preserving Knowledge of Land and Sea. He is Straits Salish SENĆOŦEN W̱SÁNEĆ and Pyramid Lake NUMU Paiute from STOLȻEȽ (San Juan Island). His initiatives use cultural preservation, language restoration, and grassroots organizing to heal the generational divides caused by historical colonization and forced borders.
Erin Audrey Corra is the Founder and Executive Director of the Friends of Lime Kiln Society (FOLKS). Dedicated to Lime Kiln Point State Park, this nonprofit inspires stewardship by connecting people to its cultural and ecological heritage. Educator and naturalist Erin brings over 30 years of experience to this mission, driven by her mantra: “Inspiring awe into action”.
Tom, Sophie, Cooper, and Bella making dinner (Photo credit: Chiska)
After a day full of sun and learning, we are ready for the pesto pasta salad and roasted chicken the dinner prep group is making tonight. Thank you Tom, Sophie, Cooper, and Bella!
