The fifteen new Beach-Watchers-in-training are nearing the half-way mark of their 2011 course and have already gotten to know many unique areas of the Salish Sea. In addition to lectures by some of the environmental stewards we all know and love - Joe Gaydos, Kari Koski, Suzanne Strom, Russel and Madrona, and several others, this year's curriculum has included a field trip to Vendovi Island, (newly acquired by the San Juan Preservation Trust.)
Earlier this week, a dozen members of the class took an overnight trip to Sidney, BC, where they had the opportunity to visit the Shaw Discovery Center's fabulous aquarium for a class on invertebrates. (Photos above show various class members descending in the museum's "watery" elevator to the basement display level.) After a delicious dinner at Sidney's best Thai restaurant, the group gathered at their hotel for a memorable evening with Suzanne Chisolm and Michael Parfit and a viewing of their documentary "Saving Luna." This new feature-length film, which they hope to distribute in the US this summer, is the outcome of more than three years they spent in Nootka Bay, BC, filming the amazing story of Luna, the young orphaned L-pod orca whose longing for affection and companionship led to increasingly risky encounters with boats and humans. It also led to a tug-of-war between BC residents and governmental agencies, all of whom wanted what was best for Luna, but ultimately could not agree on how much human interaction that should include. The tale ends sadly, but the many heart-warming encounters with Luna along the way make us realize how much we all have to learn about the residents of the Salish Sea. The discussion with Suzanne and Michael after the viewing was just as fascinating as the film itself.
Classes still to come include trips to Canoe Island for a talk on Geology, and a Lighthouse tour and trail clean-up day on Patos. Wednesday, May 18 is graduation day in Friday Harbor.
The members of this year's Beach Watcher's Class are about equally divided between San Juan, Orcas and Lopez islands, and in addition to the newcomers, several members of previous classes are taking the course as a "refresher."
Thank you, Shann for all you do for us!
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