Coos County CoastWatch is hosting a free workshop on Saturday, April 28, to teach local residents about introduced species that are invading our beaches, docks and estuaries.

The workshop, “Xenodiversity: A Global Proliferation of Non-Native Species” will be presented by Dr. Cynthia Trowbridge, Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, is scheduled from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology Boathouse Auditorium, in Charleston. The workshop will be followed by a field trip to the Charleston docks.

Introduced species of seaweed and invertebrates are increasing on marine shores and estuaries throughout the world. This workshop will:

€ highlight how to recognize and respond to introduced species,

€ review some of Oregon's nonnative species and possible new arrivals,

€ discuss methods of introduction, and

€ provide Internet resources.

Information about Coast-Watch's Adopt-a-Mile Program also will be presented, and those interested in joining CoastWatch are encouraged to attend. For further information, those interested can call Diane and Dave Bilderback at 347-1335, or e-mail them at dbilderback@mycom-span.com.

To get to the Boathouse Auditorium, travel to Charleston and turn on Boat Basin Drive (between Davey Jones Locker and Chuck's Seafood). Take this road to the U.S. Coast Guard compound. Park along the bay and then walk on the road through the Coast Guard compound down the road to the auditorium.