Hikes, outings

Meandering on Marrowstone Island

Channel linking Kilisut Harbor and Oak Bay

Join the Natural History Society on Friday, October 18, from 1:00-3:00 pm for a visit to Marrowstone Island. First, we will gather at the entrance to Marrowstone with oceanographer Peter Rhines to review the restoration of the channel linking Kilisut Harbor and Oak Bay.

Then we will walk through a vernal pond and swamp system on a beautiful property owned by Kurt Steinbach, a recent graduate of the Land Trust’s Northwest Naturalist program. Kurt says these habitats are locally common but hold many secrets due to their inherent inaccessible nature.

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail fungus) on Kindbergia praelonga (Slender Beaked Moss)

We have timed this outing to coincide with the end of the dry season for easier access, and to take advantage of walking paths he maintains. Expect to see lichens, mushrooms, and mosses revived by the returning rains. We will look for species that have evolved to thrive in a dynamic system with such a variable water table.

RSVP to Ken at JLTnatural@saveland.org for meeting time and place, what to bring, and additional information about both projects.