Peninsula Daily News and news sources
NOW’S THE TIME to visit Olympic National Park if you’re looking for ways to save some money, and maybe do a public service by helping clean up the beaches, too.
Olympic National Park, together with National Park Service sites across the country, will waive entrance fees Saturday through April 29 in celebration of National Park Week.
Special events are also planned as part of this week, including the Washington Coast Cleanup on Saturday and National Junior Ranger Day at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center on Saturday, April 28.
Coast cleanup
Volunteers are invited to be part of the Washington Coast Cleanup by helping remove marine debris at one of approximately 40 sites along the coast, both inside and outside of park boundaries.
Volunteers may help with a variety of tasks, including running volunteer check-in tables, transporting collected debris to local dump sites, and even hosting barbecue celebrations after the coast cleanup.
“Olympic National Park is grateful to the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time to look after and protect our coastline,” said Olympic National Park Acting Superintendent Todd Suess.
To sign up for their favorite beach and learn more, residents should visit the Washington CoastSavers website at www.coastsavers.org/washington.
Junior Ranger Day
Children of all ages are invited to bring their favorite adult to Olympic’s celebration of National Junior Ranger Day celebration on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Junior Ranger Day celebration is free and is open to children of all ages accompanied by an adult.
It will be held at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center.
Junior Ranger Day activities are designed to be fun and enjoyable for adults, too.
“If you’re already a Junior Ranger, we hope you’ll wear your badge and be recognized for your achievements,” Suess said.
“For all other kids, we invite you to bring your families and join in the fun and become a Junior Ranger.”
Special activities are scheduled throughout the day, including 30-minute ranger-guided walks at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.
Space on these walks is limited and participants should sign up for them when they arrive at the visitor center.
Microscopes will be set up for up-close looks at insects and plants, the Children’s Discovery Room will be open for play and other activities will be offered.
Junior Rangers who complete enough activities can earn National Junior Ranger Day prizes.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., several of the park’s pack mules will make a special appearance.
Junior Rangers will have an opportunity to meet the mules and learn about the important jobs they do in keeping the park’s 300-mile trail system in good condition.
Olympic’s Junior Ranger program is a special year-round way for children and families to experience and enjoy the park.
Children complete Junior Ranger activity booklets, attend a ranger program and explore park nature trails to earn a Junior Ranger badge and certificate.
The Olympic National Park Visitor Center is located at 3002 Mount Angeles Road in Port Angeles.
For more information on Olympic’s Junior Ranger Day, call 360-565-3146.
Clam dig approved
State fishery managers approved a series of morning razor clam digs Saturday through Monday at several ocean beaches after the latest round of marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.
With the state’s razor clam season nearing an end, Long Beach and Twin Harbors will be open for digging all three days, while Copalis and Mocrocks will be open on Monday only.
No digging will be allowed on any beaches after noon.
“We have just enough clams available for harvest at Copalis and Mocrocks to offer one more weekday dig,” said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
“We’ll see where we are with the other beaches after this opening.”
Copalis Beach lies south of the Copalis River and includes Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis.
Mocrocks Beach is north of the Copalis River and includes Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Seabrook, Pacific Beach and Moclips.
Proposed beach openings for upcoming digs, along with morning low tides, are:
■ Saturday (7:28 a.m., -0.3 feet): Long Beach, Twin Harbors only.
■ Sunday (8:01 a.m., -0.4 feet): Long Beach and Twin Harbors only.
■ Monday (8:35 a.m., -0.4 feet): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks.
Under state law, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day, and are required to keep the first 15 they dig.
Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
Diggers need a valid 2012-13 fishing license to participate in the upcoming opening, since all 2011-12 licenses expired March 31.
The exception is young people under age 15, who may fish for free.
Licensing options range from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, which can be purchased on WDFW’s website (https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov) and from license vendors around the state.