Beach Heroes

Learn about the small –scale world that is right under your feet on the beach. Watch hermit and shore crabs scurry as their rock roof is carefully moved. Whole colonies of periwinkles, snails, and maybe a sea star, hide under there when the tide is out. Hear about how we can walk gently on our neighbors on the shore.

Beach Hero Marine Interpreters are available for impromptu and scheduled walks all summer long on both Crescent and White Rock Beaches. Check the calendar below for times and locations or contact us to book a private group exploration; perfect for birthdays, family reunions, daycares, seniors groups, summer camps or just to change up your summer day!

The Beach Hero Program for 2013 is now open for the season! Kendra and Madison will be on the beach in their orange uniform shirts all summer long educating the public about intertidal life including conservation tips and fisheries regulations.

Schedule is subject to updates and changes, please confirm details and email to register for a private or scheduled group walk. Donations are welcome and go directly to support our education and restoration efforts!

Lift the rocks (don't rock the rocks). Learn how to lift and replace the rocks so that you don't kill crabs, snails, fish and other invertebrates or destroy their homes under rocks. These tiny ochre stars won't survive if left exposed to the sun. (Photo J. Alford)

Going to the beach between March and the end of June? This is breeding season and the crabs are especially vulnerable. Learn more about the various crabs found on our local beaches here.

Try to walk on bare sand and rocks and avoid trampling eelgrass. You just never know what is hiding in the eelgrass - we've seen baby octopi, mudsharks, nudibranchs and more at our local beaches! Learn more about the critical habitat that is the eelgrass 'nursery' or get involved in conservation efforts here.

Leave the beach better than you found it! Plants and shells provide habitat and nutrients for a variety of life at the beach. Species such as the olympic oyster will only spawn where their shells are present! Other animals such as the hermit crab rely on empty shells for a new home... you just never know who is hiding deep in the shell you are carrying! Please, pick up your garbage and leave the shells at the beach.

View and print your copy of Beach Hero Etiquette. Click here for printable version.