Nearshore Field Trips occur every spring and early summer at the Nisqually Reach Nature Center. The Nisqually Estuary is one of the finest estuaries in Puget Sound and a great place to do some hands-on scientific surveys! Here are some of the things we do during these trips:
Crab Surveys
In this nearshore exploration, you’ll learn how to properly handle the purple shore crab while you determine whether it’s a male or female and take accurate measurements using the calipers. We’ll record and graph all of our findings!
Plankton Exploration
In this nearshore investigation, you’ll observe live plankton under the microscope as you sketch and identify them. Learn the difference between zooplankton and phytoplankton, as well as how they form the base of the ocean’s food chain and how they impact human health!
Fish Seine
During the fish seine, you’ll get a chance to suit up in waders and enter the Puget Sound to drag an enormous net through the water to capture fish and other small aquatic animals. One team works to pull the net and hold it upright while the other team uses smaller nets to catch creatures and place them into containers for identification. We’ll identify and count all the creatures we find, then discuss our findings as a group.
Additional Resources
View helpful resources for additional learning before/after your nearshore trip here!