The WSU Island County Extension Beach Watchers will offer a full staff of naturalists at the Coupeville Wharf during the Mussel Festival, March 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

On Saturday, the scheduled topics are “Plastics Trashing Our Environment,” and “Gray Whales — They’re Baaaack!” from 10 a.m. to noon.

From noon to 2 p.m. there will be an open discussion period for the public, plus a second session about plastics. From 2 to 4 p.m., learn about “Orcas, Icons of the Pacific Northwest.”

Sunday’s schedule includes more on plastics and gray whales from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by “What Bird is That?” the “Importance of Eelgrass” and “What is the Marine Mammal Stranding Network?” From 2 to 4 p.m. there will be another session on orcas.

These talks are loosely structured, not lectures. The naturalists are there for open discussion and to address the public’s questions and concerns about our marine environment.

Stop by the Coupeville Wharf to meet the naturalists, see the skeletons of Rosie and Rudy and other various displays, including a marine mammals bone and pelt collection for “up close and personal” examination.