2019 Field Trips
Field Trips: Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Please note, more field trips details will be added as they are finalized. You are welcome to complete your registration without adding any field trips; send an email to registration@pacname.org at any time to add or change a field trip on your registration, or to add a guest to a field trip.
1. Elwha River Trip (Full day—offsite)
The Elwha Ecosystem Restoration Project is a 21st-century project of the U.S. National Park Service to remove two dams on the Elwha River on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state, and restore the river to a natural state. It is the largest dam removal project in history and the second largest ecosystem restoration project in the history of the National Park Service, after the Restoration of the Everglades. We’ll depart Port Townsend in the morning via shuttle and join experts along several points of interest along the Elwha River and learn more about this tremendous restoration project. Please note: this an all day field trip.
Cost: $40 per person
2. Kayaking Port Townsend (2-3 hours, morning—onsite @ Fort Worden)
Paddle along the beautiful shoreline of Fort Worden and learn about the natural history of the Salish Sea including seabirds, intertidal life and the marine mammals that call these waters home. No previous padding experience necessary. Please dress to get wet and be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen.
Cost: $60 per person
3. Low Tide Beach Walks (2-3 hours, morning—onsite @ Fort Worden) [low tide 9:27am (-0.81ft)]
Explore the ebbs and flows of the marine coastal environment on a low tide walk led by Port Townsend Marine Science Center naturalists. Meet at the Marine Science Center located at the Fort, and explore tide pools and learn about how marine organisms are adapted for the challenges of living in the intertidal zone. Weather-appropriate clothing and shoes with good traction for moving around on wet slippery rocks are recommended.
Cost: Free
4. Western Flyer Tour (1-2 hours, afternoon—offsite, in Port Townsend)—FULL
The Western Flyer is a fishing boat, most known for its use by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts in their 1940 expedition to the Gulf of California. The Western Flyer Foundation was formed in its honor with the goal of educating youth about the intersection of science and literature. Join Chris Chase , the Project Director for the Foundation and a longtime shipwright, on a tour of that will share the history, restoration process and the exciting future of the Western Flyer.
This is a mid-afternoon field trip so it could be paired with another morning field trip.
This field trip has reached capacity and will no longer be available for new registrants
5. Northwest Maritime Center Facility and Pilothouse Simulator Tour (1 hour, afternoon—offsite, in Port Townsend):
Come learn about the maritime education programs going on at Northwest Maritime Center on the waterfront in downtown Port Townsend. See summer sailing programs and youth camps in action. Visit our boatshop where wooden boats are being built and repaired. Visit the pilothouse simulator that simulates a ship’s bridge used for Merchant Mariner’s training. Note: this field trip can be paired with the Western Flyer afternoon field trip
Cost: $10
6. Historic Longboat Expedition (3 hours, afternoon—offsite, in Port Townsend)
Head out rowing and sailing aboard a historic 26 foot long wooden vessel patterned after Captain George Vancouver’s ship’s boats. These boats are used as modern exploration platforms for students aged 12 and older to learn how to work together as a crew and develop awareness of the local marine environment and navigation. Learn about the unique programs that NWMC offers in partnership with local and regional schools.
Cost: $50