If you’ve ever wondered what creatures go bump in the night -- or splash, as the case may be -- the Environmental Science Center (ESC) at Seahurst Beach is hosting public moonlight beach walks Dec. 10 and Jan. 21.

“It’s a treasure hunt each time we go out because you don’t know exactly what you’ll see or where you’ll find it, but it’s always fun,” says Barb Williams, a trained beach naturalist who leads tours and is an ESC board trustee.

“People rarely realize how much life is here on the beach. Unless you’re very observant, it’s easy to walk by and not even notice something. With the nighttime walks when you use a flashlight, it focuses your attention more,” explains Williams.

The tours coincide with low tides when more marine life and beach habitat are exposed for viewing. “There are typically a lot of different kinds of crabs, sea stars, anemones and I believe some tours have seen nudibranchs, which is a kind of sea slug,” says Caroline Bobanick, ESC’s executive director.

A few years ago, a particularly thrilling sighting was a little red octopus. “There are animals that we rarely see at Seahurst Park, except during the nighttime beach walks, because they don’t like sunlight,” says Williams. The sunflower sea star is one example. With up to 25 legs, it is the fastest and largest sea star and a rarely seen, but spectacular Seahurst Beach resident.

The ESC partners with the Seattle Aquarium for the tours and upwards of 10 beach naturalists are on hand to lead small groups. Nearly 80 people have attended in past years, but groups are divided into 5-8 to create a more intimate experience. “People are more likely to get their questions and be heard,” says Williams.

Other than an open house, the moonlight walks are the first public events at the new ESC building, which opened in October. Given the winter weather, the facility will provide a welcome respite from the cold.

“In the past, we huddled around an oil drum barrel where we lit a fire,” says Williams. “It’s the first time we’ll have place to get warm, share stories and be excited about what we saw. It’s a great advantage this year,” says Williams.

Additionally, the center will host additional activities. Naturalists will collect plankton samples ahead of time, which visitors can view through microscopes. Younger participants can participate in making a sea-life collage inspired by the work of artist Henri Matisse. Hot cider, cocoa and light refreshments will also be available.

The mission of the tours is to inspire curiosity and fun, but also a respect for the natural environment and area’s watersheds.

“The big message is for people to do no harm,” says Bobanick. “We’re there to explore and observe the tidal zone and to leave it as we found it.”

Williams also hopes that the education component will help people reevaluate how their daily actions can benefit the environment. “We want people to realize that everything we do in our homes and offices has an effect. There are wonderful ways to practice good stewardship and benefit our watersheds.”
Event Information

Dec. 10 and Jan. 21, 7-9 p.m. Check-in at the Environmental Science Center at Seahurst Park/Beach. Building is north of the turning circle in the lower parking lot.

The event is all ages and free to the public. Reservations are not required. Participants are only required to bring their own flashlight and dress warmly. Boots are highly recommended since participants are often walking in ankle-deep water.

For more information regarding ESC tours and future events, visit envsciencecenter.org.

For those interested in being trained as volunteer beach naturalists, e-mail beachnaturalist@seattleaquarium.org.