No longer are our famous field trips just for school groups.  You can discover the wonders of Dauphin Island with a Sea Lab Summer Excursion!  Bring your friends or family and enjoy a hands-on exploration of coastal habitats with a Dauphin Island Sea Lab professional educator.  Visit the salt marsh and learn why these mucky habitats are so vital.  Or walk along the beach and in the maritime forest and learn the value of these increasingly threatened environments.

All for only $10 per person (adults and children) – snacks included! Payment is due the morning of the excursion. Children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult; adults are responsible for their children. Space is limited so reservations are recommended. Please note that excursion costs DO NOT include the cost of Estuarium admission.  DISL reserves the right to cancel if there is insufficient participation.

For more information on these trips or to make your reservation, call
(251)861-2141 x7545 , or email summerexcursions@disl.org. 

Salt Marsh Field Excursion
Dates: June 21, June 27, July 5, July 9,
July 16, and August 1, 2013
Time: 9:45 am to 12:15 pm

Salt marshes may not be as beautiful as a beach to some, but they are a fascinating coastal wetland and a critical part of the estuarine ecosystem.  After meeting outside the Estuarium, we’ll travel by bus from the Estuarium to the Dauphin Island salt marsh to explore the salt marsh ecosystem.

You’ll learn about nature’s needle, oysters and oyster drill, the unusual chemistry of marsh muds, the role marshes play in producing seafood for us to enjoy and more.  You’ll also have the opportunity to use seine nets, yabby pumps and sieve boxes just like a marine scientist! (Please no collecting as we want our marsh to stay healthy.)

Because of the danger posed by sharp oyster shells, participants need to wear closed-toe shoes that tie or strap on, such as old tennis shoes. Please no flip-flops, Crocs or rubber boots as they get ‘eaten’ by the marsh mud.  Showers and changing facilities will be available after the marsh trip.  We also recommend sunscreen, a hat, water to drink camera (if you like), binoculars (if you like), extra dry clothes to change into afterwards, a towel, and a plastic bag for muddy items. Due to sharp shells, pointy plants, and other potential dangers, we do not recommend this trip for pre-school children.

Recommended items: sunscreen, hat, dry clothes, towel, plastic bag for muddy shoes/clothes, water
Suggested items: camera, binoculars

You will learn about worms that live in the beach sand, clams that burrow using water jets, plants that Indians used for medicines, the benefits of an intact dune system and more. We’ll bring hand lenses, critter containers and hand nets, so we can get up close and personal with the flora and fauna.

We’ll walk about a mile and a half, and feet may get wet, so participants should wear comfortable walking shoes they don’t mind getting wet.  We also recommend sunscreen, a hat, camera (if you like), binoculars (if you like), bug spray and water to drink.

Recommended items: sunscreen, hat, bug spray, water
Suggested items: camera, binoculars