Press release:

This spring, more than 2,000 students will hit the beach with the Environmental Science Center's naturalists to explore intertidal Puget Sound. A new component this year includes an expanded field study from one and a half hours to two hours so that students can learn about the harmful effects of marine debris on our oceans and actions they can take to be a Beach Hero.

Taking advantage of ESC's new facility at Seahurst Park, students will be able to explore plastics collected from the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" in the North Pacific Gyre, view satellite imagery of earth's ocean currents, and learn how to pack a sustainable lunch box by minimizing single use plastics.

When students make the pledge to REFUSE, REDUCE, RE-USE, and RECYCLE plastics in their daily life, they will receive an official Beach Hero identification card.

Most of the more than 90 classes that ESC will serve this spring receive a one-hour classroom session, two-hour field study, and bus transportation free-of-charge.

If you would like to support kids in South King County to become Beach Heroes, please consider DONATING online to the Environmental Science Center.