After years of advocacy, coordination and planning, we have completed training our first group of locally-based volunteers to serve as docents at Duxbury Reef.
Docents were trained over five days by marine ecology experts including Kathy Ann Miller (UC Berkeley), Rebecca Johnson (California Academy of Sciences), Joe Mueller (College of Marin), Kent Khtikian (Cal Academy trained docent and MPA Watch volunteer) and Leslie Adler-Ivanbrook (EAC). We enjoyed excellent weather while observing and learning about many of the common algae and invertebrates that cling to the reef as the tide ebbs and flows. Did you know that one of the reasons why Duxbury Reef is so abundant and diverse in marine life is because the soft shale rock that comprises the reef easily allows for holes, nooks and crannies for intertidal species to hide and grip onto?
Our wonderful new team of 11 volunteer docents have been busy observing and studying the Duxbury marine life. Our first cohort of trained docents are locally based, care deeply about the ecological health of the reef and dedicate their time, knowledge and experience to educate visitors. When taking shifts on the reef, the docents enjoy teaching visitors about the amazing marine life found there, about rocky intertidal ecology, how Duxbury Reef marine life is protected by regulations, and how visitors can also help protect the reef as they explore. Docents also contribute to community science by conducting an MPA Watch survey during their docent shift as well as a shift report.
Docents completed 60 shift reports through November 2022, have engaged with over 975 visitors, and have helped to prevent over 30 instances of harmful activities that do not comply with MPA no-take regulatory protections.
Duxbury Docents’ continually learn about the reef’s marine organisms every time they visit, and from the docent resources and enrichment training provided by the Duxbury Docents program, including through partnerships with other tidepool docent groups in California.
Look for a Duxbury Docent when you visit. They’ll be wearing a tan cap with a Duxbury Docent logo, featuring the intelligent octopus, reflective of our fabulous docents!
