Estuary trails get docents

Walkers in Belfair's Union Estuary can now find out what bird or animal they've spotted, identify trees and plants and learn more about the landscape without leaving the trails.

Starting on Friday, AmeriCorps environmental educators will be on the Mary E. Theler Wetlands Nature Preserve and adjacent area paths to engage with visitors.

Look for the blaze orange vests.

The docent program, started by the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, hopes to have educators on the trails several days a week, with a set schedule later in the year.

"We're in a really busy education season with field trips," HCSEG Education and Outreach Coordinator Whitney McDaniel told the Journal.

"We're hoping to be out there at least once or twice a week," she said.

One of the main goals of the program is to "leave visitors with a more meaningful experience," according to McDaniel.

The docents will carry backpacks with binoculars, field guides and educational materials.

At a walk on the Theler trails Friday, AmeriCorps members Erika Lottsfeldt and Kelsey Borland, who will have the inaugural shift, showed some items they'll share with visitors.

Vials with preserved salmon showing early growth stages and a giant stuffed salmon will be traveling with the educators.

Docents are available for kids and adults and they plan to have kid-friendly activities such as scavenger hunts and activity sheets, according to McDaniel.

HCSEG Director Mendy Harlow said the docents will also help educate people about the wetlands.

"It's important to remember it's a wildlife area. No dogs allowed," she said.

"There's a lot of nesting birds and it is a wildlife unit exclusively for humans.

Not for their pets," Harlow said.

Docents can also point out native and nonnative plants and "educate folks about why that's important," she said.

"We've been working really hard to improve the vegetation along trail system and move it from some invasives into more native plants," Harlow said.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2024, HCSEG volunteers and AmeriCorps members removed invasive Himalayan blackberries along the trails.

Some trails in the estuary are managed by different entities, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harlow said.

"We want folks to notice the habitat changes, not the change in management," she said.

The nonprofit is working to reconnect a disrupted trail network by removing a breached levy and installing an elevated boardwalk.

"People won't have to walk on the road," Harlow said.

HCSEG relies on volunteers and donations to accomplish the work, and AmeriCorps workers are also a huge asset, Harlow and McDaniel said.

AmeriCorps is a national service program that provides stipends for volunteers, who typically work full time for one year.

Harlow said she started as an AmeriCorps member working for HCSEG.

"It's a great way for people to get involved with different organizations, to learn a lot and get some experience," Harlow said.

"They help us tremendously," McDaniel agreed.