Day 6: Monitoring Marine Mammals & Rocky Intertidal Survey

This morning, we did our second round of monitoring marine mammals from our kayaks and collecting that data to contribute to long-term science research. For both days, we saw 1 harbor seal and about 55 sea lions. You guys did a great job in a previous post identifying the pinniped species as sea lions on […]

Day 5: Two Harbors Tide Pool Survey

Today, we did our first intertidal survey of organisms that live between low tide and high tide. Our data will contribute to a longitudinal study that helps scientists track change over time of the intertidal zone around Catalina. Researchers are interested in this zone because of its high biodiversity, climate change, harvesting and recreational impacts. […]

Day 4: MPA Watch & Tide Pool Touch Tank

Today, we did an MPA Watch, where we hiked to the top of the ridge and surveyed the waters surrounding the east edge of the island for any human violations. This is important data for scientists, since it can be difficult to monitor Marine Protected Areas due to their size and scale. Our surveys contribute […]

Day 3: Island Travel Day

Today, we traveled from the Wrigley Research Institute to see different parts of the island and have a fun adventuring day (even thought it’s all been really fun). Our final destination was a little resort town on Catalina called Avalon. We all traveled together in a van on some pretty winding roads and rocky terrain, […]

Day 2: Islands–A Delicate Balance

This was our view from where we ate dinner at the research institute this evening. One of the many cool things happening with this field research experience, are the people that you meet and what you can learn from them. We all come together for meals, and you have many opportunities to talk to scientists […]

Day 1: Pinnipeds!

Yesterday, we traveled out to Catalina Island from Long Beach with an eventful ferry boat ride with our research team. We had a naturalist, Jill, with us who specializes in whales, cetaceans (dolphins), and pinnipeds, and helped everyone identify the marine mammals that we saw along the way. As we left the pier, we saw […]

Catalina & the Channel Islands

So, where am I going? In a week, a small crew of Bay Area Science teachers and I will be joining scientists on Catalina Island, one of the Channel Islands off of the coast of southern California. The Channel Islands are a gorgeously unique chain of eight islands, five of which are designated as a […]

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me! Good company on a journey makes the way seem lighter. — Izaak Walton