Duxbury Docents 2026 Training Registration

Thank you for your interest in the Duxbury Docent program!

The Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC), in collaboration with Marin County Parks and Open Space and a variety of individuals and organizations, is pleased to offer our volunteer training for the Duxbury Docent program at Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area, at Agate Beach County Park.

Visitors come to Duxbury Reef to observe and learn about fascinating and incredibly diverse sea life that exists there, and to find deeper connection with our coast and ocean along the western edge of Marin County. Visitation (including trampling, handling, and taking) has an impact on the reef, and not all visitors are aware of California MPA (Marine Protected Area) and other regulations in place, or of how they can best practice tidepooling to minimize their impact. The purpose of the volunteer docent program is to help protect the health of Duxbury Reef through education. Docents engage with and educate visitors about the reef's rocky intertidal ecosystem, California's marine protected areas (MPAs) and tidepooling stewardship practices that align with the MPA regulations at Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA).

This 5-day training session will take place in January and February, 2026 (see the dates below). This training will provide in-depth instruction, informative materials including a comprehensive manual and Duxbury Species ID chart, uniform items, and other program items needed for serving on shifts and coordinating with the team. 

We are so glad of your interest in helping to protect the rocky intertidal sea life and habitat at Duxbury Reef! However, please be aware that taking part in the training, as well as serving as a docent, requires hours of time spent outdoors along the Marin shore, in very variable weather that may include wind, sun, fog, potentially rain, and warm and cold temperatures. Additionally, the rocky surface on the reef is uneven, wet, and slippery. We welcome everyone to register who are interested, but please contact us if you have any concerns about your participation in these conditions.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING DATES INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

•    FRIDAY January 9
•    SATURDAY January 17
•    SATURDAY January 31
•    SUNDAY February 1
•    SUNDAY February 8

"RAIN" DATES:
January 18, February 28, March 1 

Docent trainees must attend each session date. Each training day will be 6-7 hours long and held both inside in a classroom setting and at Duxbury Reef. The first day of training on January 9th will be held in-person in a community room in Bolinas (TBA). Topics for the full 5-day training will focus on Duxbury Reef flora and fauna, intertidal zonation, Duxbury geology and ecology, human impacts, tidepool etiquette, California Marine Protected Areas and relevant regulations, MPA Watch community science, docent skills and program expectations (including shift scheduling & shift reports). Local experts in their field and guest speakers will instruct the classes.

Fully trained docents on the team will have access to resources distributed during the training, an opportunity for docent mentorship during their first couple of months of service, as well as enrichment sessions on relevant topics each year.

PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Commit to at least 6 months of volunteer service with two scheduled shifts per month (low tides in daylight, 2-4 hours each).
• Complete shift reports that contribute to community science data.
• Attend each scheduled training date and at least one team check-in per year.
• Be able to physically move about comfortably on the slippery and uneven surface of the intertidal area. *This is an important safety requirement. If you don't feel confident in your balance, strength, or footing, consider becoming a trailhead volunteer on our Tabling Team at Duxbury Reef. (Reg link on our webpage)

Also, please consider becoming a member of EAC.

 You will receive a confirmation email after your registration.