Come to RI's Sixth Annual Horseshoe Crab Spawning Potluck this Sunday

[Alex Hornstein]

Howdy Folks,

This Sunday, I am putting on my yearly Horseshoe Crab Spawning Potluck.  I think a lot of folks on this list would enjoy it.  The way it works is, it's a potluck in the middle of an estuary in Warwick, timed to high tide on the full moon.  At the peak of the party, the tidewaters come up, and 2,000 horseshoe crabs come out of the depths and spawn around our ankles, as they have done since before there were trees on this planet.  

This is a highly intersectional party, full of kids, scientists, nature educators, artists, and weirdos.  The great thing about potlucks is that they are inherently scalable -- we just bring tables and trash bags, and people bring food for all the people.  There is no RSVP.  Please feel free to bring anyone you like.  

Details at this link

When:  Sunday, May 31 starting at 6:30pm with high tide at 9pm

Where:  Conimicut Estuary, in Warwick (go to the linked pin here, not the park)

FAQ

uh, what is this?  It is an experiment in human and horseshoe crab conviviality, man

Do you know Eli?  There are two horseshoe crab weirdos in this state, and I'm the other one.  Eli and I have been doing these parties together for the last three years.  We weirdly never met before I got THE CRAB OBSESSION.  Now we are crab friends!

Is this...ok?  I think it is.  Horseshoe crabs have been doing this ritual since before there were trees, and they will do it whether or not we are there.  We are not the main characters in this story, but if we are calm and respectful, and show up at the place and time on the nature calendar invite, we get to bear witness to this extraordinary event.

One of my hobbies is learning how to follow nature calendars, and I like to bring people out to natural events like this that are reminders of what natural abundance looks/looked like.  It is very hard to be an advocate for nature if you haven't experienced healthy nature.  I generally do this quietly, on my own or with a few other people, but every so often, I like to bring out a lot of people to a natural event.  This is the big one.

We don't interfere with crabs or their reproduction, we clean up our trash, and people leave the party intrigued by a species that they might have otherwise ignored.  That is a better outcome for the crabs than 99.999% of historical human-horseshoe crab interactions.

Happy to talk more offline if you have more thoughts.

What should I bring?  

• It's a potluck, so bring something delicious.  
• At this beach, the crabs generally hang out in ankle-knee deep water, so if you want to go in, wear clothes that are suitable.  
• I suggest wearing sandals in the water here -- there is some rubble.
• a flashlight is helpful.  Peak crab activity will be after sunset
• above all else, just bring yourself.  Nobody is checking tickets at the door, and if you show up without food/beach clothes/whatever, nobody will bat an eyelash.  It's cool when people are here, just come on out!

Rain or shine?  Yes!  we have some big tents that we will set up if necessary. The crabs are there rain or shine, and so are we.

Can I bring kids?  Yes!  In fact, I recommend it!  A number of Wild Lives students and their families will be here.  This water is in a shallow tidal basin that is a safe place for kids to go into the water, and there are lots of other nature-minded children who would love additional kids to explore with.

It's a late night but it's the most fun ever.  Totally worth it!

Can I bring a friend?  yes.  In fact, I recommend it.  The great thing about potlucks is that they are inherently scalable parties -- I just bring tables and trash bags

Is this a good party to invite a celebrity to?  Depends on the celebrity.  Use your best judgement

Will there be crabaoke?  um, doi!!!  Bring your singing voice and take a look here if you want to pre-game

Is there a graphic novel where I can learn more about this fascinating creature?  Funnily enough, there is!!!

Is it really your birthday?  Yes.  How did you know?

See you on the sandbar!

K-12 programs exploring the secret lives of wild animals outside the classroom door

Learn more at wildlives.world

Alex Hornstein

Founder, Teacher, Tracker

Email:  al...@wildlives.world

Phone/Whatsapp:  +1.401.688.0489