Oceanside residents interested in learning about local marine life and their connection to it can take part in the Brant Festival Nearshore Explorers Intertidal Adventure this weekend. The adventure begins with a walk on the beach, exploring tide pools, examining the relationship of animal and plant species in the intertidal zone and learning about the geological and tidal forces that have shaped local beaches.
“This particular adventure walk is not necessarily on what’s damaging the nearshore but focusing on what is the nearshore and what’s in the nearshore, so people have more awareness of the importance of this area for all kinds of species,” said Faye Smith with the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society (MVIHES), who is running the event.
The walk is followed by a hearty seaside lunch with soup snacks and refreshments and then a beach seine. Here participants will learn to seine fish using large nets with biologists. Smith said this is particularly fun as you never know what aquatic sea life you will pull up.
The adventure happens this Sunday, April 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rathtrevor Park. The cost is $20, and kids are free with an adult. Space is limited to 12. To reserve a spot contact Robin Rivers at 1-866-288-7878 ext. 226 or e-mail rrivers@naturetrust.bc.ca.