Citizen Scientists Invited to Explore the Shore at Salt Creek Beach

From a press release:

WHO: Citizen scientists – the local community, resort guests and anyone who is interested in learning about the kelp reef and tide pools at Salt Creek Beach

WHAT: Children and adults will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on beach activities, from exploring tide pools to interacting with Reef Check volunteer divers and learning all about rocky reefs.

The event will allow families to experience something extraordinary and learn not only about ocean life, but also how Reef Check divers monitor the health of the reefs. There will be a tide pooling activity at 2:30 p.m. With guidance from marine biologists, participants will have the chance to explore the tide pools near Salt Creek beach and they will be able to test their knowledge with a round of Tide Pool Bingo! After that, participants will get the opportunity to practice being a Reef Check diver, on dry land, by recording kelp forest critters on their datasheets and using giant measuring tapes called “transects.” Finally, at 3:30 pm, Reef Check Citizen Scientists will emerge from the ocean after a survey dive. The divers will show off their dive gear, survey gear and completed datasheets and guests will be able to interact with the dive team to learn more about the amazing, colorful life found in kelp forests. This event will permit those involved to step away from television and computer screens and plunge into an outdoor learning environment. Participants will have the chance to discover what may be a new passion and learn first-hand about the rocky reefs that surround the environment in which they live.

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 10

2 to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Salt Creek Beach Tide Pools

WHY: Introduce the local community to Reef Check and their mission of empowering people around the globe to save our reefs and oceans. The focus of the California program is to improve the health of California’s rocky reef and kelp forest ecosystems.

The event is being hosted by The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel’s Eco-Adventure Center. The Eco-Adventure Center is dedicated to showcasing Southern California’s naturals wonders. Through unique excursions, the local surroundings become a natural classroom and living laboratory. Adults, families and kids learn through experience, which instills them with a deep appreciation and respect for nature.