UPDATE 1/20/12 11:50 a.m.: Saturday night’s ‘Moonlight Beach Walk’ has been canceled, “due to weather, unsafe roads, and the condition of Seahurst Park,” according to an email from our friends at the Environmental Science Center (ESC).

“ESC hopes to reschedule the event during the spring or summer,” the email adds. “Keep updated by checking the website: www.EnvScienceCenter.org.”

For more information about this event, contact Jennifer Dumlao at outreach@envsciencecenter.org.

Here’s more from a previous press release:

The Environmental Science Center (ESC) would like to remind our Readers about their free and family-friendly Moonlight Beach Walk, which will take place this Saturday, Jan. 21st from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Local naturalists are volunteering their time to help guide visitors in discovering the unique marine life that lives in the intertidal zone.  Considered a marine reserve, the rock strewn beach provides vital habitat for creatures such as purple sea stars, burrowing sea cucumbers, Dungeness crabs, moon snails, and aggregating sea anemones plus an abundance of seaweeds.  These walks are a unique opportunity to see Seahurst’s beach at low tide and in the dark. When the tide goes out during the day most of the creatures on the beach go with it or burrow under something.  But at night, they stay on the beach.  Visitors should bring reliable flashlights to explore the nooks and crannies of the large rocks.  Remember that you’re in their house, so tread gently. The goal is to Do No Harm.

This year’s walk promises a new treat to returning beach explorers- a brand new warm building!  Our new center is at Seahurst beach: 2400 SW 140th Street in Burien.  Park in the lower or upper lot and walk along the trail that runs north from the turning circle at the lower parking lot.  Visitors should check-in at the center for some pre-beach activities and cider, hot chocolate or coffee.  Activities include a Matisse themed art project on sea life and a microscope lab with plankton to identify.

Please make sure to dress warmly with hats, gloves, and warm coats.  Also, wear rubber shoes so that you can wade out into the ankle-deep water around the tide pools.  And please practice beach etiquette:

1. DO NO HARM
2. Be extra careful where you step so you don’t step on animals or their homes.
3. When you want to look more closely at a creature, bend over and look rather than picking it up. Leave animals where you find them. Don’t move them to a new home!
4. Touch plants and animals gently with one wet finger. Animals living on the beach and in the water are cold and wet, your fingers are warm and dry. Simply touching a plant or animal may be enough to injure or kill it.
5. If you want to look under a rock, be gentle. Turning over a rock can be like someone turning on a bright light in your bedroom in the middle of the night. Lift it slowly and gently. When you’re done the rock needs to be gently returned to its original position.
6. SAVE THE CHILDREN ?Leave all shells and animals on the beach rather than taking them home. Shells and rocks need to be left on the beach because they provide a home for the next generation, an animal’s children, to live on.

For more information about the Environmental Science Center visit: www.envsciencecenter.org

Burien Parks sent out the following Tweet Friday morning, Jan. 20, which included the photo above of a downed tree blocking the road to Seahurst Park:

Seahurst Park in #Burien is closed to the public today due to road conditions and downed trees.

This weekend marks the return of unusually high tides to the Washington coastline, including Burien’s own Seahurst Park.

These tides are called “king tides” and they happen during the winter months when the Earth is closest to the Sun.

This morning’s high tide was a 13.2 — high enough to obscure nearly all of the beach at Seahurst Park at its peak.

If you missed today’s high tide, you have another chance Sunday morning just after 9 a.m. with a 13.1 tide forecast.

BTB photog Michael Brunk was at Seahurst Park this morning and captured the following gallery of images. You can click the image above or the thumbnails below to view high-resolution photos.

What’s a photographer to do with a day of expected good weather? Get out and shoot photos of course!

And that’s exactly what BTB photog Michael Brunk did on Thursday evening.

Taking advantage of the unexpected clear skies he made his way to Burien’s Seahurst Park to capture his first sunset photos of the new year.

“I wouldn’t have minded a few more clouds. They reflect the color and make for a more dynamic sky.” said Michael. “But that just gives me a reason to come back and shoot again some other time.”

We certainly won’t complain!

You can click the image above or any of the thumbnails below to view high-resolution photos.

Burien’s Environmental Science Center (ESC) will be holding free and family-friendly Moonlight Beach Walks on Saturdays at Seahurst beach, starting Dec. 10th and again on Jan. 21st from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Here’s more from a press release:

Local naturalists are volunteering their time to help guide visitors in discovering the unique marine life that lives in the intertidal zone. Considered a marine reserve, the rock strewn beach provides vital habitat for creatures such as purple sea stars, burrowing sea cucumbers, Dungeness crabs, moon snails, and aggregating sea anemones plus an abundance of seaweeds. These walks are a unique opportunity to see Seahurst’s beach at low tide and in the dark. When the tide goes out during the day most of the creatures on the beach go with it or burrow under something. But at night, they stay on the beach. Visitors should bring reliable flashlights to explore the nooks and crannies of the large rocks.  Remember that you’re in their house, so tread gently. The goal is to Do No Harm.

This year’s walk promises a new treat to returning beach explorers – a brand new warm building! Our new center is at Seahurst beach: 2400 Southwest 140th Street in Burien. Park in the lower or upper lot and walk along the trail that runs north from the turning circle at the lower parking lot. Visitors should check-in at the center for some pre-beach activities and cider, hot chocolate or coffee. Activities include a Matisse themed art project on sea life and a microscope lab with plankton to identify.

Please make sure to dress warmly with hats, gloves, and warm coats. Also, wear rubber shoes so that you can wade out into the ankle-deep water around the tide pools. And please practice beach etiquette:

DO NO HARM

1. Be extra careful where you step so you don’t step on animals or their homes.
2. When you want to look more closely at a creature, bend over and look rather than picking it up. Leave animals where you find them. Don’t move them to a new home!
3. Touch plants and animals gently with one wet finger. Animals living on the beach and in the water are cold and wet, your fingers are warm and dry. Simply touching a plant or animal may be enough to injure or kill it.
4. If you want to look under a rock, be gentle. Turning over a rock can be like someone turning on a bright light in your bedroom in the middle of the night. Lift it slowly and gently. When you’re done the rock needs to be gently returned to its original position.

SAVE THE CHILDREN
Leave all shells and animals on the beach rather than taking them home. Shells and rocks need to be left on the beach because they provide a home for the next generation, an animal’s children, to live on.

For more information about this event, contact Jennifer Dumlao at outreach@envsciencecenter.org or call 206-248-4266.

For more information about the Environmental Science Center visit www.envsciencecenter.org.

This new facility is located on the beach, north of the turning circle in Seahurst Park.

As indicated in our previous coverage, the remodeled caretaker’s building will provide a dedicated, educational facility for the Environmental Science Center (ESC).

The open house this past weekend featured an array of educational activities, fun and games and walking tours of Seahurst Park.

BTB photog Michael Brunk stopped by and shot the following photos. You can click individual images to view them larger.

Photographer Michael Brunk jumped at this chance to visit one of his favorite locales — Burien’s Seahurst Park — in search of a little fall color. He wound up capturing another beautiful Pacific Northwest sunset.

You can click individual images to view them larger.

REMINDER: The Environmental Science Center at Seahurst Park will be holding its Grand Opening this Sunday, Oct. 23rd from Noon – 4 p.m.

Adults and children of all ages are invited to experience this fabulous new facility at Seahurst Beach!

There will be hot cider, snacks and a fun roster of activities, including:

• Tour the rain-garden and learn about the building’s green features
• Check out the microscope displays and scientific drawing lab
• Explore the beach and forest at Seahurst with a naturalist
• Win prizes at the game stations!

Seahurst Park is located at 2400 SW 140th Street in Burien; the Environmental Science Center is located on the beach north of the turning circle at Seahurst Park.

For more information about the Environmental Science Center visit www.EnvScienceCenter.org.

Since their founding in 2000, the Environmental Science Center (ESC) has partnered with schools in South King County and organizations such as New Futures and Para Los Niños to provide hands-on learning at local beaches, forests and streams. Last year the ESC engaged more than 9,000 students.

The new ESC facility at Seahurst Park is the culmination of the organization’s goal to establish a natural learning center where students can participate in hands-on environmental projects and field experiences. The City of Burien’s plan for Seahurst Park includes a focus on environmental education and stewardship for the north end of the 169 acre park.

To achieve this shared vision, the ESC and city signed a cooperative agreement in 2002 that provided the ESC with a 30-year renewable lease on the Seahurst Park Caretaker’s Cottage. The agreement allowed the ESC to remodel the building and operate it as an environmental learning center.

The construction included installation of an ADA-compliant lift and bathrooms, a mudroom at the entrance, and the use of environmentally friendly materials such as bamboo flooring and counter tops made from recycled glass.

With the completion of this new facility, the ESC’s naturalists will finally have their own physical classroom with microscopes, a hydrophone, science displays and a Smart Board.

The Environmental Science Center at Seahurst Park will host the public at a grand opening on October 23 from noon to 4:00 pm. The ESC building is located on the beach north of the turning circle at Seahurst Park.

BTB photographer Michael Brunk recently visited the ESC and shot the following behind-the-scenes photos. You can click individual thumbnails to view them larger.

According to the state:

“Sample results show bacteria concentrations have dropped to background levels.

The swimming beach was previously closed on September 16, 2011 due to a sewage spill.”

For more info on area beach closures, visit http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/beach/