Do you know what a tardigrade is? If not, it’s time to find out! It could soon become Washington State’s official micro-animal thanks to a partnership between students at Friday Harbor High School, Riverday School in Spokane, Jefferson Middle School in Olympia, along with Lynn Bahrych from the San Juan Islands Conservation District, and Katie Fleming from Friends of the San Juans.

The tardigrade, also known as the water bear or moss piglet, is a microscopic animal that lives in virtually every habitat on Earth and can be found in every county in Washington. Tardigrades live in lichens and moss, as well as in marine and freshwater sediments, soil, sea water, fresh water, glaciers, hot springs, deserts, and rain forests. Tardigrades typically range in length from 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters, though some species may exceed one millimeter. They are a key component of healthy soil.

Read more by following the link below for San Juan Islands CD work with in recognizing soil health. 

Source: San Juan Islander| Friday Harbor High School students promote the Tardigrade as Washington’s Official Micro-Animal in Olympia