About this event

Join other members of our queer community for an afternoon of tide pooling and community science at the rocky Carmet Beach in Sonoma County. Explore the intertidal ecosystems and participate in community science efforts with the annual solstice sea star search! Participants can expect to walk for up to two miles on uneven, rocky, and slippery terrain to search for sea stars and other intertidal creatures!

Waivers/Registration: All participants must be registered individually and have approved the online waiver through this page.

Meeting Location: Carmet Beach Parking Lot

Carpooling: Carpooling is a great way to make friends and do better for the environment. Participants are encouraged to carpool and can use this carpool list to sign up.

Accessibility:

There is little to no cell service in the park or the roads leading to it. Please visit the preserve website for detailed information on what amenities are available. Participating will require hiking approximately 2 miles on sandy and rocky terrain. Tide pooling requires walking on surfaces that may be slippery, uneven, and wet. Rain boots with good traction are recommended for this event.

What to Bring:

We understand that not all participants may not have everything listed below and that is not a problem whatsoever! Our community has extra supplies, access to gear libraries, and are willing to share with one another. Please include what you may need to borrow in your registration.

Water bottle, filled with water.
Flashlight or head lamp
Clothes and shoes that you feel comfortable hiking in
Hat/sunscreen or rain gear/boots
Plan for potential exposure to sun, salt water, and ocean spray.
A cell phone with iNaturalist App downloaded and logged in

Cancellations:

In the event that we must cancel an adventure due to extreme weather conditions or poor air quality, the team will reach out via email no later than 5:00 PM, 2 days prior to this event.

Branching Out Adventures encourages people from all identities and backgrounds to participate in our programs. Many of our programs are outdoors and involve moving in a variety of landscapes. If you have accessibility concerns (e.g. allergies, limited mobility, learning differences), our events are flexible and we are happy to work with you. Please contact us at jaclyn.schneider@branchingoutadv.org.