2010 Sustainable San Juans

Sunday, May 2, 2010 Field Trips

 

Yellow Island Wildflowers - by Kayak!  

Time: 11:00 am to 3:30 pm
When: Sunday, May 2
Where: Meet at the Deer Harbor Marina
Reservations: Call Shearwater Kayak Adventures at
    360-376-4699
Minimum age 12. Space limited to 6 people; reserve soon!
Cost: $68 + tax person. This is a great deal at 20% off the regular Shearwater price.

 

Explore Yellow Island with its carpet of spring wildflowers! Paddle in stable 2-person kayaks from Deer Harbor Marina. We will paddle through the Wasp Islands, stopping to enjoy a picnic lunch. (Pack your own.) Then we will have time to explore the trails of Yellow Island, with its abundance of native wildflowers. Lilies, shooting stars, camas, stonecrop, and even cactus are just a few of the species which bloom each spring on this Nature Conservancy preserve. No kayak experience required. 

 

The Creatures of Indian Island        

Time: 1:00 to 2:30 pm
When: Sunday, May 2
Where: Eastsound Waterfront Park (corner of Orcas Road and Main Street, Eastsound)
Reservations: None needed. Just meet at the park
Details: Wear footwear appropriate for walking to the island (wet sand, gravel and shallow water)

 

What lives on and around Indian Island? A fascinating presentation about Indian Island and it’s environs by Russel Barsh and Madrona Murphy of Kwiaht. Dubbed the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory, local WSU Beachwatchers, Orcas Island students and Kwiaht have been working together to protect the Eastsound marine environment through research and education. Enjoy an afternoon with Russel and Madrona checking out the fascinating sea and island creatures just off our shores in Eastsound!

 

Bullock’s Permaculture Homestead Tour

Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
When: Sunday, May 2
Reservations:  To sign up, visit or call the Orcas Island Library.  Phone: 360.376.4985
Where: Channel Road, near Deer Harbor. Directions and carpool information available at the Library and the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce booth at the May 1 Fair.
Cost: $12 per person (that’s 20% off the usual cost!) Ten person minimum.

 

Winners of the 2009 “Finnie” for Farmland Stewardship, the Bullock Permaculture Homestead will hold a tour of their permaculture site. The brothers founded the Permaculture Homestead, near Deer Harbor on Orcas Island, in the early 1980s Pursuing the three ethics central to permaculture design — care for the earth, care for people and fair share for all — the brothers grow vegetables, flowers and livestock in a manner that is in harmony with their surrounding environment. The tour ends at 1:00, just in time for the Bullock’s weekly potluck. Bring a dish, stay for lunch!

 

Turtleback Mountain Hike

When: Sunday, May 2
Times/Meeting Places:: For details on departure times and meeting places,  please call Kathleen Foley at the San Juan Preservation Trust at 378-2461
Reservations: Call Kathleen Foley at 378-2461
Cost: Free!

 

Join Kathleen Foley and Dean Dougherty from the San Juan Preservation Trust for a hike on Turtleback Mountain. Visible from throughout the islands, the mountain is especially well-known for providing dramatic views over the San Juan archipelago, the Canadian Gulf Islands, the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, and numerous waterways in between. The mountain has a wide variety of habitats and is home to an intriguing variety of plants and animals. 

 

Geology of Sucia, a boating and hiking tour

Time: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
When: Sunday, May 2
Where: Meet at Enzo’s Gallery Caffe (corner of North Beach and “A” Streets, Eastsound)
Reservations: To register for the tour, please contact the San Juan Nature Institute at 1-360-378-3646 or email science@sjnature.org.
Minimum age 12. Space limited to 6 people; reserve soon!
Cost: $45 includes lunch and transportation

 

Details: This class will involve hiking a total of approximately two miles over level ground.  Participants should wear clothing suitable for travel in an open boat and good hiking shoes with ankle support for walking over stony beaches.

This short course will cover the tectonic evolution of the Pacific NW focusing on the intriguing geology of Sucia Island.  Participants will convene at Enzo’s for a brief overview before heading out to board transport to the island. Michael will lead a hike to several geologic outcrops on Sucia including colorful Protection Formation and return to the dock for a light lunch at 1 p.m.  We will explore some local geologic features and then take a short cruise around the south end of the island, before returning to Orcas at about 3:30 p.m.