Professional Tidepool Educator Program at Treasure Island Seashore

Since 2006, Montage Resort & Spa has provided an annual donation that supports, Laguna Ocean Foundation’s interpretive education program at the Treasure Island tidepools. It allows the Foundation to provide paid professional educators with Marine Biology and other specialized training to answer questions and educate visitors about the tidepools and the sea life within them when the tidepools are most exposed. They also provide education about the MPA and its rules. The program has been very effective and patrons and visitors from around the world have walked away with a fuller understanding of the rocky intertidal environment. The Educators provide on-site resource interpretation and love to share their knowledge and joy of the local ecosystem, flora and fauna. Educators are at the tidepools year around when the tide is below 2.5 feet and the weather is enjoyable.

Tidepool Educators keep record of how many individuals visit the area, how many visitors we contact, the number of incidents observed that are inconsistent with the MPA regulations, and the weather and sea conditions.

In June 2009, Laguna Ocean Foundation received the Whale Tail Grant from the California Coastal Commission in order to launch a new professional tidepool education program at Heisler Park State Marine Reserve. The program is modeled after the Treasure program where Educators provide on-site resource interpretation to visitors. An annual anonymous grant allows the program at Heisler to continue to provide Educators are at the tidepools on weekends year around when the tide is below 2.5 feet and the weather is enjoyable.

Created in 2003, the Volunteer Docent is the bedrock of our Foundation.

In the intervening years, it has enjoyed robust community support and the program has expanded to serve 5 coves in Laguna Beach with tidepool interpretation from trained volunteers. The program has over 100 volunteers who commit to at least one 3-hour shift per month, educating visitors about the unique ecology in the intertidal and about our Marine Protected Areas.

Volunteer Docents receive free training over three days that introduces them to intertidal life and the Marine Protected Area system in California. They are led by a Docent Coordinator and all work in close coordination with the Laguna Beach Department of Marine Safety and Laguna’s Marine Protection Officer. Volunteer Docents have the option to work at Crescent Bay, North or South Shaw’s Cove, Woods Cove or Goff Island throughout the year during low tides when the intertidal zone is most vulnerable.

To learn more about the Volunteer Docent Program and how to get involved, please keep reading.