Intertidal walk on the last undeveloped beach in Vancouver: Jericho Beach to Trafalgar

We are at one of the lowest tides of the year following the new moon in April for this exploration of the foreshore and intertidal habitats at this largely undisturbed & undeveloped beach. Because the tide is super low, the beach is very wide, and we will be able to find a greater diversity of intertidal flora and fauna and geological formations than at other times of the month. A proposal has been made by the City to extend the seawall along this stretch of beach, (with much local opposition because of the many natural features present which would be destroyed), so plan to see it now.

On the walk you will discover ecological interactions of organisms, understand the geology of why the beach is sloped, and touch pebbles brought there by the ancient glaciers that once covered Vancouver. Bring your magnifying glass to view the beautiful diatoms, seaweeds, and the rare find of fossils. You will even see an ancient volcanic dyke that might be 32 million years old, as well as coal outcroppings—a reminder that here were once ancient trees.

For a more detailed description of this great hike, go to The Kitsilano Natural Foreshore.

Date: Saturday April 13th 2013
Time: 12:00-2:30 PM
Location: Kitsilano Foreshore. The  meeting place is at east Jericho Beach itself, at the Jericho Concession building. This is located at the very west end of Point Grey Road, 3 blocks west of Alma. The parking lot at east Jericho Beach is free until May, and there is also street parking. (View map)

SPEAKERS:

Terry Taylor is a UBC Research Associate and expert in mycology (fungus family). He has studied local botany and mycology for 40 years and is a founding member of the Vancouver Mycological Society.

Sheila Byers is a marine invertebrate taxonomist & biologist and a Past-Chair of the Marine Biology Section of Nature Vancouver. She often leads beach walks in the Lower Mainland to explore intertidal ecology.

David Cook is the Chair of the Nature Vancouver’s Geology Section and has been leading geology field trips for several years. He is in the process of writing several Self Guided Geology Tours.

THINGS TO BRING – waterproof boots that you don’t mind getting wet, muddy or sandy. Be prepared for wind or rain.

EVENT PERKS – Three knowledgeable naturalists will lead this hike – each with his or her own specialty: Terry Taylor, a plant expert, Sheila Byers, a marine biologist, and Dave Cook, a biologist and geologist. Terry was our intrepid leader on the mycology walk in Pacific Spirit Park that was so well-attended.