Digging for Dinner

Digging For Dinner

See the areas we’re working in

Check out our interactive map and get the big picture of where we’re making a difference across our shorelines

See the map

Clams digging classes

Project Metric

200+ People take this class every year See Our Impact
Groups of people on the beach in Double Bluff
Picture of volunteer Leigh Bloom digging for dinner

Learn to dig for clams in the popular Digging for Dinner class.

Classes are held at Double Bluff County Park (Getting to the Water’s Edge site #44), one of Whidbey Island’s best clamming beaches. You can learn how to dig clams, which clams are best for which recipes, how to harvest them safely and sustainably, and regulations that assure safe and delicious clams for this summer and the summers ahead. This education project has been a part of our organization for over a decade.

2022 Schedule: Not this year, based on the Shellfish Safety Map

See the video below recorded July 19, 2022: Jerry Borchert of Washington Department of Health (WDOH) explains why beaches are sometimes closed for shellfish harvest and details the shellfish testing program for three key toxins.

Recorded presentation

REMEMBER

  • A Group Shellfish License will be provided complimentary by Sound Water Stewards for the class and all registered participants. If you want to purchase a license for later use they are available for purchase at Ace Hardware in Freeland and Oak Harbor, Red Apple Market in Coupeville, Jim’s Hardware in Clinton, Sebo’s Do It Center in Bayview Corner or at www.fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov
    • Bring: shovel, bucket, boots, hat, sunscreen, drinking water, gloves and knee pads.
Person holding three clams in their hand

You might also enjoy these historical videos of SWS volunteer and clam digging guru, Eugene Thrasher