“I really enjoyed watching it and it is hard not to be inspired and energized by Mark.”
– Jeffrey G. Dorman, Ph.D, Executive Director | Farallon Institute
Mark Nolan: Tide Pools
Total run time: 4:04 minutes
Tide pools are extremely important to our ocean ecosystem. A whole new world is discovered as the tide moves out along the coast of California. Mark Nolan takes the viewer to the tide pools near Pigeon Point Lighthouse in San Mateo California. While exploring these tide pools, a group of Mark Nolan’s students discover the wonder of the intertidal zone.
Producer / Director: Cynthia Abbott & Andrea Leland
Camera, Sound, Color: Fabián Aguirre
2nd Camera: Maya Pisciotto
Editors: Corey Ohama & Maya Pisciotto
Photo Credits: Rachael Williams, Elizabeth Seacord, Laura Anderson, UC Santa Cruz, Long Marine Lab
Additional Film: Gary Yost
Music: “Tide Pool Boogie” Banana Slug String Band with “Marine Mark” Nolan, “Solar Steve” Van Zandt, “Airy Larry” Graff and “Doug Dirt” Greenfield
And participants in the Pigeon Point Environmental Education Program through the San Mateo County Outdoor Education
Study Resources
iNaturalist: Connect with nature and scientists around the globe. Explore and share your observations from the natural world. Use your phone and the free app when tide pooling and participate in citizen science. Snapshot Cal Coast is an annual bio blitz encouraging people to document their findings while tide pooling.
The Farallones Institute in California offers local walks/talks events featuring sanctuary environments including intertidal zone. Click here to explore the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary with this story map and learn about wildlife viewing locations and recreational spots to enjoy the sanctuary.
Ocean Currents podcast featuring seaweed harvester Heidi Hermann. Learn that Seaweed and Algae is edible!
For Educators:
- Tide pool lessons for PreK – 2.
- Teachers guide with fun classroom activities and background information on sea stars.
- For the more advanced class take a look at these exercises.
- Marine Educators Association for all things marine science education.
- LIMPETS (Long-term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students) is a citizen science program for students, educators and volunteer groups. Citizen scientists monitor the coastal ecosystems of California’s national marine sanctuaries, increasing awareness and stewardship of these important areas. The statewide program connects over 6,000 citizens annually to the ocean, involves them directly in a hands-on scientific endeavor and increases their knowledge of the marine environment, creating a new generation of informed and engaged ocean stewards.
Tips to Explore the Tide Pools with Care
- Step Gently – Avoid crushing the animals and plants
- Look Closely
- Only keep sea-life out of the water a short time
- Return animals where you found them
C. Abbott