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MacKerricher Environmental Education Outreach Program

Dear Educator,
Every year, student field study groups from all over California visit the various State Parks located in Mendocino County. While these students typically enjoy their experience, they sometimes leave without gaining an understanding and appreciation of the unique environments they have visited.

The MacKerricher Environmental Education Program is intended to assist educators in fostering a better understanding by their students of the natural dynamics of these areas while protecting this resource for future groups.

This material is provided by the California Department of Parks and Recreation incooperation with the MacKerricher Volunteer Council and Mendocino Area Parks Association.

contents

• School Group Reservations
• Tide Pool Guidelines
• Preparing For Your Field trip
• • Planning
  • Safety
  • Techniques and Tips

• Lesson Plans
• • Lesson #1: Intertidal Habitats
  • Lesson #2:The Rocky Shore Community
  • Lesson #3: Rocky Shores Zonation
  • Lesson #4: The Sandy Beach Community
  • Lesson #5: Sandy Beach Zonation
  • Lesson #6: Marine Algae: the Primary Producers of the Oceans

• Links to Environmetal Education Sites

School Field Trip Reservations

The California Park Service interacts with the educational community through its support of park field trips as a means of interpreting the natural and cultural history of California. To protect the resources of MacKerricher State Park, a completed School Group Reservation Request Form must be received and approved prior to arrival at the park.

Please note that Park Naturalists may be available to lead educational programs covering a variety of subjects. Please submit reservations in advance to minimize scheduling conflicts.

Request a form by telephoning (707)937-5804 or by writing to:

MacKerricher State Park
School Group Reservation
P.O. Box 440
Mendocino, CA 95460

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tidepool guidelines

NOTE TO TEACHERS

All persons entering the intertidal study area are expected to comply with these guidelines. Upon arrival at the park, and prior to entering the intertidal environment, please explain and discuss these guidelines with your students. Remember:

1. Avoid crushing animals by walking on them. EXAMPLE - Walking on aggregating sea anemones exposed during low tides causes loss of body fluids which anemones need to survive exposure during low tide.
2. Intertidal organisms may not be removed from their habitats for study, but must be studied in place. The use of collection tubs or buckets is not allowed. Thoughtless collection of specimens has dramatically reduced the richness of California's intertidal flora and fauna.
3. Do not turn over rocks or dig creatures out of sand, mud or rock.
4. Fish and Game law CCR T14 protect tidal invertebrates within units of the California State Parks. Section 29.05(b)(1). The collection or gathering of tidal invertebrates for study without a valid California Department of Fish and Game Collection Permit is unlawful.

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planning your field trip

Plan your field trip by consulting guides, maps, and local contacts such as State Park Staff. Use a current tide table to determine times and height of tides. Plan to arrive well before the incoming tide so that there will be plenty of time to safely observe the intertidal. Generally, any tide predicted at 0.0 ft. or lower will provide excellent exposure. Large ocean swells or storm wave conditions will negate the benefits of a good minus tide. Spring and summer months generally provide a greater overall abundance of animals and plants than winter.

Student Safety

Safety is always a key issue. Consider assigning students in field study teams, which makes it easier to monitor activities. Always keep a watchful eye on tide and surf conditions. Wave height is unpredictable at any time, so avoid exposed rock outcroppings or steep wave slopes on beaches. This is especially important during rough seas or periods of large swells. Be aware of the dangers of undermining erosion when walking along the edge of coastal bluffs.

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techniques and tips

You can easily overlook shore life until you learn to look with care and patience. Many intertidal animals display cryptic coloration or are very secretive in behavior, especially during low tide. At first glance the shore may appear to be an array of dull greens and browns. Look beyond the large and highly visible animals. Exploration of the intertidal is most successful when the students get close to the level of the water or rock surface.

Each team of student naturalists should have a notepad (waterproofed if possible), a pencil, a pair of binoculars, and a handheld magnifying glass. Teams should maintain a record of observations which should include date and time, weather conditions, location, the organism's behavior, the type of environment where the organism was found, and physical description (size, color, unique features). A simple sketch will prove extremely helpful in later classroom identification. If possible, a photograph of organisms can be incorporated into a classroom identification flip chart.

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