Bay Nature Hike: Dock Fouling

This event is inspired by Bay Nature's Fall 2025 piece by former Bay Nature editor Eric Simons, Finding Bugula

Join Bay Nature and Eric Simons for a dock fouling excursion at Jack London Square on Saturday, November 8 from 3pm - 5pm. This event is inspired by Eric's recent piece in Bay Nature's Fall Issue about Bugula, a difficult-to-identify bryozoan whose symbiotic bacteria pump out human medicine. Bugula and other marine life like nudibranchs, sponges, and more can be found by carefully inspecting docks and other submerged structures—like those at the docks at Jack London Square. Often, people will lie flat on their bellies to get a closer look at the diverse marine communities living at the water's edge. Join Eric to try dock fouling for yourself and explore the world that exists just below the surface! This event is free for Bay Nature Members. 

Meet Your Hike Leaders:

Eric Simons is a former digital editor at Bay Nature. He is author of The Secret Lives of Sports Fans and Darwin Slept Here, and is coauthor, with Tessa Hill, of At Every Depth: Our Growing Knowledge of the Changing Oceans.

Meet up location: We will gather at the docks just outside of Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar, 2 Broadway, Oakland, California 94607. Google Maps Link. 

Event difficulty: We'll be at the docks for the duration of the event. Please be prepared to stand, lean over, kneel, even lay down on your belly to look over the edge of docks during this event.

Parking: Please plan to use public transit or plan to find parking nearby our location. There are a number of parking garages near our location, for example Washington Garage, 101 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607 (Google Maps Link).

Weather Note: Be prepared for autumnal temperatures and unpredictable weather. We'll check in on weather closer to the event and notify attendees if conditions warrant rescheduling / cancelling the event. 

Access to restrooms and water: The closest public restroom may be at Jack London's World Market store located at 101 Clay St, Oakland, CA 94607. There are no restrooms directly at our meet up location, so please plan to go to the bathroom before or after the event.

Other notes: Bring water, a knee pad or something to lean on while looking for dock creatures, a towel for avoiding bird droppings, and hand lenses or water-proof cameras if you'd like. Comfortable, close-toed walking shoes are recommended. Wear clothing you are comfortable getting a bit wet. Please note that the docks can feel as though they are moving, so be aware if you easily get seasick. No dogs are allowed on Bay Nature hikes. All minors must be accompanied by a guardian for the duration of this event. 

Photo by Eric Simons.