Bay Nature Summer Dock Fouling Series #1: Jack London Square

Join Bay Nature and writer and naturalist Eric Simons for a dock fouling excursion at Jack London Square on Friday, June 19 from 3:00–5:00pm. Inspired by Bay Nature’s Fall 2025 story “Finding Bugula,” this event invites participants to explore the strange and surprisingly colorful marine communities living just below the Bay’s docks and floating structures.

By carefully peering over the edge of the docks—or even lying flat on your stomach for a closer look—we’ll search for bryozoans, nudibranchs, sponges, tunicates, anemones, and other marine life thriving at the water’s edge. This event is the first in a series of four Friday evening dock fouling outings taking place around the Bay Area this year, each offering a different mix of habitat, marine organisms, and waterfront atmosphere. Following the event, attendees are welcome to continue socializing informally at nearby bars and restaurants in Jack London Square.

Details

• Location: Docks outside Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar (Map: 2 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607)
• Duration: ~2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy; participants should be comfortable standing, kneeling, leaning over docks, or sitting near the water’s edge
• Parking: Public transit strongly encouraged. Paid parking garages and street parking available nearby.
• Restrooms: Public restrooms available nearby in Jack London Square

What to bring: Water, a towel or knee pad for leaning on the dock, hand lenses or waterproof cameras if desired, and comfortable close-toed shoes. Wear clothing you are comfortable getting slightly wet or dirty.

Weather note: Conditions along the waterfront can be windy and cool, even in summer. Please dress in layers.

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

Tickets: This event is free for Bay Nature members. Registration is limited.

Additional information

• All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
• Dogs are not allowed on Bay Nature events
• Participants should be aware that floating docks may feel unstable or in motion
• Please use caution around the water’s edge and wear shoes with good traction

Photo by Eric Simons.