NAME Conference 2008 – Field Trips

Thursday

  1. The Camps: Clash of Two Empires, 1:00 – 5:00pm • $10, max 12 people
    Visit both American and British Camp, National Historic parks of San Juan Island with park interpreter and historian Mike Vouri. A man with a sense of humor and lots of historical knowledge (both human and natural), Mike will both entertain and inform us about the significant historical events that have taken place on San Juan Island. He is the author of two books, The Pig War, and Outpost of Empire, both colorful accounts of the clashes of British and American political and territorial interests.
  2. Dock Walk, 1:00 – 3:00 pm • Free, max 15 people
    Join local marine biologist, Bob Lemon, on one of his most popular island adventures. You will leave Friday Harbor Middle School after lunch to walk the picturesque docks of Friday Harbor. With magnifying glasses and buckets in hand, Bob will help you explore the abundance of algae and invertebrates living under the busy docks. He will discuss their energy source, reproduction, commercial and, or aesthetic value and much more. Bring an old towel for hand wiping and kneeling upon.
  3. Assessing Stream Health in the False Bay Watershed, 1:00 – 5:00pm • $10, max 12 people
    Living on an island makes it very important for the local community to ensure the health and sustainability of their fresh water resources. Join Executive Director Susan Key and Science Director Fiona Norris of the San Juan Nature Institute on a tour of one of two fresh water streams feeding False Bay. Test for nitrates, phosphates, and possibly surfactants. Measure turbidity, temperature and pH, and do a survey of aquatic microfauna to check the health of these delicate ecosystems. Fiona leads Partners in Science programs for ages K-12 focused on fresh water habitats on the islands, and will share with you activities you will be able to bring back to your class room while making the connection between short stream lengths and critical shoreline habitat health in the Islands.
  4. San Juan Island Ferry Tour, 1:30 – 5:00pm • Free, max 20 people
    Take a relaxing boat tour of the San Juan Islands aboard the Washington State Ferrys. The inter-island ferry travels to each of four largest islands amid lush tree-lined shores and the shimmering water of the Salish Sea. As you travel between the islands you may catch sight of some of the incredible wildlife that inhabits the region. Bald eagles reign from treetops, harbor seals and sea lions nap on the rocks and porpoises sometimes playfully ride the bow waves of boats. You may even catch sight of the magnificent resident orcas that call this region home. You will be joined on your adventure by a professional naturalist that will be pointing out the wildlife as well as describing the local and natural history of the islands. Binoculars will be provided.
  5. Sea Kayaking, 12:30 – 4:30pm • $70, max 20 people
    Kayak the beautiful shoreline of San Juan County Park, on the west side of San Juan Island. The area is one of the top viewing sites for our local resident orca whales, bald eagles, harbor seals and an amazing diversity of invertebrate life in the shallows. Led by a local naturalist you will experience the islands from the water. Make sure to wear your sun screen.
  6. Land Based Wildlife Tour, 1:00 – 5:00pm • $30, max 12 people
    Join a naturalist from The Whale Museum on a three-hour land-based wildlife tour of San Juan Island.  Bird watching and keeping an eye out for our Resident Killer Whales will be our top priorities. The tour includes a drive to the west side of San Juan Island and a stop at historic American Camp.  We’ll also spend some time at Lime Kiln Point State Park, the nation’s best “Whale Watch Park” where you will learn about research being conducted by visiting biologists and where you may see whales and other marine life.   Bring a camera and binoculars, as only a limited number of binoculars are available on the tour.  Wear sturdy shoes for hiking and bring a light jacket.  

Friday

  1. Hike American Camp, 1:00 – 5:00pm • $10, max 12 people
    Explore American Camp, a unit of San Juan Island National Historical Park with park ranger Darlene Wahl and Chris Davis the park’s resource management specialist. You will learn about the unique cultural and natural history of the park on this easy 3 mile hike while visiting many diverse habitats. Prairie, forest, coastal lagoons and wetlands await your discovery along with dramatic views of varied shorelines. You will also have the chance to participate in the park’s prairie restoration program by collecting native grass seeds for future plantings. Bring your sunscreen, water and wear good hiking shoes for a great outing.
  2. Scuba Diving with Naknek Charters, 12:00 – 4:00pm • $70, max 14 people
    Come dive the beautiful San Juan Islands with Naknek charters. The afternoon will include two dives and lots of fun surface interval time to admire the scenery. The San Juans are known for some of the best dive sites in the Northwest. You will be amazed by the large lingcod, rock fish, greenlings, wolf eels and octopus as well as numerous different species of invertebrates. Naknek Charters is a 45 foot dive boat that is Coast Guard inspected and set up for 14 divers. There is plenty of deck space to enjoy the scenery along the way and a heated cabin when you need to warm up after the dive.
  3. Closed • Fun Facts from Forty Years in the Field: Marine Habitats, Inhabitants and Interpretation Tips, 1:00 – 5pm • $10, max 12 people
    Join Alan Rammer, Community Outreach & Environmental Education Specialist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Sally Lider, Environmental Education Coordinator for the City of Edmonds, on a tour of the diverse habitats of San Juan Island beaches. We will visit several sites, learning about the natural history of the island and its unique flora and fauna. Alan and Sally will share nuggets of knowledge gleaned from their travels and years spent organizing and conducting marine interpretation and birding programs with a wide range of audiences.
  4. Western Prince: Whale and Wildlife Tours, 2:00 – 5:30pm • $56, max 30 people
    Join Western Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours as we explore the waters of the Salish Sea and discover the islands' abundant wildlife and spectacular beauty. A skilled naturalist will share knowledge of the marine life that makes these islands their home. The 46' "Western Prince" twin-diesel custom tour vessel is large enough for safety and comfort, yet small enough for a more interactive trip with the crew, the wildlife and other guests. The Western Prince runs on 20% blend of Biodiesel and they are happy to be a leader in adopting the use of this alternative fuel.
  5. Sea Kayaking 12:30 – 4:30pm • $70, max 20 people
    Kayak the beautiful shoreline of San Juan County Park, on the west side of San Juan Island. The area is one of the top viewing sites for our local resident orca whales, bald eagles, harbor seals and an amazing diversity of invertebrate life in the shallows. Led by a local naturalist you will experience the islands from the water. Make sure to wear your sunscreen.
  6. Land Based Wildlife Tour, 1:00 – 5:00pm • $30, max 12 people
    Join a naturalist from The Whale Museum on a three-hour land-based wildlife tour of San Juan Island.  Bird watching and keeping an eye out for our Resident Killer Whales will be our top priorities. The tour includes a drive to the west side of San Juan Island and a stop at historic American Camp.  We’ll also spend some time at Lime Kiln Point State Park, the nation’s best “Whale Watch Park” where you will learn about research being conducted by visiting biologists and where you may see whales and other marine life.   Bring a camera and binoculars, as only a limited number of binoculars are available on the tour.  Wear sturdy shoes for hiking and bring a light jacket.