Crab Molt Search Training at Birch Bay State Park
Do you love the beach? Are you fascinated by the critters in tidepools? Are you a nature nerd? In this free workshop you can deepen your knowledge by learning how to identify the shells of our common native crabs, how to distinguish them from the invasive European green crab, and how to participate in a fun and easy community science effort to help protect our beaches and bays!
Invasive European green crabs are voracious eaters that threaten our shellfish beds, clamming beaches, and nearshore habitat for salmon.
On Saturday May 10 from 10 am to 12 pm at the BP Heron Center in Birch Bay State Park you can learn more about this invasive crab and what’s being done about it, and learn:
- How to identify the European green crabs and many native crabs of Washington by their molted shells, and
- How to participate in this early detection effort while you explore the beach, and
- How to submit your findings through the free MyCoast app.
The workshop will end with a practice Molt Search together on the beach.
Molt Search is a collaborative program offered by Washington State University Extension and the University of Washington Sea Grant.
Contact Us
| Name | Cheryl Lovato Niles |
|---|---|
| Department | Water Resources Educator WSU Whatcom County Extension |
| Phone | 360-778-5812 |
| clniles@wsu.edu | |