People will have more opportunities to learn about the marine life in Puget Sound as Metro Parks Tacoma expands its pier peer program.
Saturday is the first of five pier peers to be held at two locations in Tacoma running through early spring.
This is an opportunity to bring the family on a aquatic nighttime adventure. Underwater lights will be used to attract sea creatures that call Puget Sound home.
Participants will have the chance to see and touch creatures brought up from the deep by local divers, and take part in a plankton tow. Afterwards, the group will go inside to warm up, drink hot cocoa and discuss what they saw.
The pier peer schedule is:
Point Defiance Marina: Saturday, Feb. 11 and March 10.
Foss Waterway Seaport: Feb. 25 and March 24.
Participants should dress for the weather and be prepared for wet docks. Also, be sure to bring your own flashlights. Metro Parks will provide scoops to catch sea creatures as well as life jackets. All participants must wear a life jacket. Bring your own life jacket if you have one.
The programs are intended for people ages 8 and older. An adult is needed to supervise each child who attends. The cost is $6 per person.
Pre-registration required. You can do so at metroparkstacoma.org or by calling the Tacoma Nature Center at 253-591-6439.
People for Puget Sound also holds pier peers at locations around the Sound, including Olympia and Hoodsport. To check for upcoming events, go to pugetsound.org.
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