Citizen Science

Providing science with the help of volunteers

 
 

Drayton Harbor HABs (Harmful algal Blooms) Hunters

Since July 2020, a small group of volunteers have been sampling in Drayton Harbor to monitor for Harmful Algae Blooms. We've been collecting plankton net tow samples and whole water samples, as well as recording temperature and salinity and other field data. We are tracking for the presence and abundance of phytoplankton species that cause toxicity to shellfish or fish kills. We are tracking four target species: Pseudo-nitzschia spp., Alexandrium spp., Dinophysis spp., and Heterosigma spp. We also do observations and semi-quantitative and quantitative microscopic counts of other phytoplankton to contribute to understanding the population dynamics of these important organisms. Rick Beauregard.

 

Crab Team

These volunteers are out at Semiahmoo light trapping baby crabs (megalopae and instars) to help forecast the condition of crab populations and the condition of the ecosystem. Check out the results of studies from the summer of 2023 below!

A group of crab zoaea
The 2023 report of light trap monitoring of dungeness crab
The 2023 report of light trap monitoring of dungeness crabs
 

Marine Debris Tracking

We’re helping NOAA track marine debris around the Salish Sea and you can help! The Marine Debris Tracker app (linked here) is used to catalog the type of debris collected, how much, and the location. We started using this wonderful tool in 2022 and have access to the data that is collected under our project. See our 2022 results below!

Anyone can download and track litter they pick up anywhere; these means you don’t have to be at the beach to pick up litter! Litter upland can wash into waterways which lead directly to the sea, so picking up litter is beneficial where ever you are. Use these instructions to track clean-ups under our Garden of the Salish Sea Curriculum project and be the best Salish Sea Steward you can be!

Marine Debris Initiative logo
Pie chart of the materials collected during GSSC events in 2022
A graph of the top 10 collected items during GSSC events for 2022

Garden of the Salish Sea Curriculum is funded in part by a Washington Department of Ecology Waste Reduction and Recycling Education grant, with general support provided by the Pacific Northwest Grassroots Fund, and Grow Your Roots Min-grant funds administered by the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment, Alicia Rule funds through the Washington State Legislature and the Whatcom Coalition for Environmental Education, Whatcom Community Foundation’s Sustainable Whatcom Fund, the Everson Lions Club and donations. In-kind contributions from the Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and volunteers help us deliver programming!

We kindly thank them all!

We acknowledge and respect the treaty rights of the Coast Salish Peoples to the lands and waters of the Salish Sea and we recognize their stewardship since time immemorial.

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