Beach program offers free training for volunteers

Washington State University’s volunteer Beach Naturalists program will be returning to Whatcom County’s shoreline parks this summer.
RE Sources, a non-profit environmental group, will host a series of workshops under its Beach Naturalist program beginning May 16.
Workshops are free of cost, but require participants to volunteer up to 100 hours of restoration work at Whatcom County beaches, including Birch Bay State Park and Semiahmoo Park.

Marine biologists, park experts and veteran naturalists will help train volunteers.

Classes focus on marine biology, geology, species identification and beach etiquette. Volunteers will also learn techniques to help them share what they learn with beach visitors.

Volunteer training begins May 16 with an orientation class in Bellingham followed by afternoon sessions at Semiahmoo Beach and Birch Bay State Park on May 19 and 20th respectively. 

In-class and on-the-beach sessions are planned for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 16, noon to 4 p.m. May 19, 20, and June 3, as well as 6 to 9 p.m. on June 7.

For more information about the Beach Naturalist program, contact Doug Stark at dougs@re-sources.org or 733-8307.

For more information about RE Sources, visit their web site at www.re-sources.org.