People around the world are now keenly tuned into the plight of Puget Sound's endangered orcas. Last summer a mother orca carried her dead calf for an unprecedented 17 days and over 1,000 miles. This dramatic demonstration of grief and loss touched the hearts of millions. Southern Resident killer whales have struggled for decades due to a lack of prey, primarily Chinook salmon, toxins, and negative vessel interactions. With just 74 whales remaining in this population, people's attention has shifted to what can be done to save them.
J pod seen from Maury Island, Puget Sound
Since 2013, Whale Scout has offered opportunities for the public to directly get their hands dirty to help. We're now offering thirteen "Whale Scout Helpin' Out" salmon restoration events annually. By planting trees and strengthening the ecosystems that impact our rivers and streams, more salmon have a better chance of growing up to become 'orca food.' This native vegetation also plays a critical role in limiting harmful toxic stormwater from entering waterways. The Nature Conservancy recognized our work with an Urban Tree Canopy Grant in 2018, which is allowing us to tackle crucial projects on private lands in addition to the work we do with our partners.
In the next two years we will:
Plant 1,235 native plants and trees
Spread 70 cubic yards of mulch
Remove 60 cubic yards of invasive plants
Which will:
Restore 300 feet of shoreline along salmon streams on private property
Engage 180 individuals in participation at volunteer restoration events
Provide 1,700 hours of service
Newly planted native trees at North Creek Forest. Photo: Hannah
Letinich, TNC.
We continue to offer more ways for more people to connect with whales. Our growing team of 60 volunteer naturalists facilitates meaningful land-based whale watching experiences with the public throughout Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. We know these experiences can lead to powerful commitments to protect the whales and the salmon they depend upon.
This year and in 2019 we will continue our dedicated work at Governor Inslee's Orca Task Force meetings, advocating for ecosystem-level habitat restoration for salmon and orcas. We'll be persistent in encouraging full funding for salmon recovery programs.
Finally, we're working hard to finish PodMatch, an online tool to connect orcas and salmon at home. PodMatch acts like a dating site, connecting people to events, projects, and organizations which help salmon close to home. Together with our partners, this will allow anyone who cares about the whales to be engaged in direct habitat restoration in salmon-supporting watersheds.
Alpha Demo Version of PodMatch
Your financial contributions are critical to keeping our programs running and expanding to meet the urgent need of our Southern Resident orcas and the dwindling supply of salmon. We run on a lean budget supported almost entirely on volunteer commitment. Please help us purchase the shovels, plants, technology for PodMatch, and volunteer supplies and training materials that are critically needed. Your donation puts boots-on-the-ground where it matters most. Our work directly provides orcas more food by shading salmon streams, cleaning the water, and much more.
Special thanks to all the generous artists, supporters, and volunteers for offering PERKS for your donation. Have something to give? It's not too late! Email info@whalescout.org
Perks
With PodMatch Alpha complete, we're on to added user features for PodMatch which will be the Beta version. Our highly skilled web developer's hourly rate is $50 an hour. You can cover the cost of one hour and help PodMatch have the ability to integrate user accounts and be a much more powerful tool!
The training and educational materials each of our volunteer naturalists receive provides them with the tools needed to make a difference when talking with the public. These materials can illustrate ecosystem connectivity between the whales, our salmon, and watersheds even if there are no whales to watch from shore. Each volunteer naturalist gets updated materials each year. New naturalists receive guidebooks that are laminated and waterproof and can add up. On average, training and educational materials to equip each new volunteer cost about $60. By selecting this PERK, you are funding one volunteer to have supplies all year! Thank you!
Learn from board member and orca expert Juliana Houghton at your next scout group meeting, party, or special event! Must be within 30 miles of Snohomish, WA. Available select Fridays through 2019. Must coordinate with us ahead of time to set a date.
A private guided tour (1 hour) for up to six people of the Limekiln Lighthouse with FOLKS Executive Director, Erin Corra. Enjoy amazing views from whale watch park on San Juan Island and possibly see whales! WA Parks Discover Pass required for vehicle parking. Must contact Erin to schedule tour by 12/31/2019. 360-378-5154 Generously donated by FOLKS.
Invite Whale Scout Director, Whitney Neugebauer to give a lecture about Southern Resident killer whales, salmon, and ways to help. 1 hr long presentation. Must provide screen or wall space for slides. Within 30 miles of Seattle, Wa only. Must schedule at least two weeks ahead of time. Expires 12/31/2019.
Have Whitney or another great whale expert come to visit your kids group or class! We'll bring our presentation and hands-on felt board activity connecting backyard habitats, salmon, and ecosystems that support endangered salmon and orcas! Learn why and how planting trees helps orcas. 1 - 1.5 hour visit. Must be within 50 miles of Seattle, Wa. Expires 12/31/2019. Please schedule 2 weeks in advance. Subject to availability. Ages 5+
Practical, environmentally friendly, cup with a purpose. MiiR gives 3% of revenue to to organizations with sustainable methods of empowered. Show off your support for renewable energy and free-flowing rivers with this cup!
Two dozen cookies homemade by the amazing Bridget Verhei! Chose from: chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, peanut butter, chocolate with peanut butter M&M's, oatmeal raisin, and M&M cookies. We'll box em' up and send them your way. Hurry to get them before the holidays are over! Support Whale Scout by eating cookies! What could be better.
Signed Rebecca Pillsbury! Native Northwest cultures have long believed whales to be spiritual guides, capable of leading humans to the meaning of life. These ancient and intelligent giants of the sea do, in fact, instill many with an awe so deep that it changes their life’s direction. That is what happened to the twenty-two individuals featured in this book. Guided by Whales is an exploration of career paths and passion projects undertaken by people who saw a whale…and were never again the same. Here are the stories of artists, activists, authors, filmmakers, marine biologists, naturalists, nonprofit administrators, and more who have dedicated their lives to advocating for cetaceans. Their inspirational stories segue into messages of conservation, education, and Native wisdom. Collectively, these stories demonstrate what Native cultures have known all along: whales have a lot to teach us about how to be better human beings. Donated by Rebecca Pillsbury.
Signed by author Mark Leiren-Young. Hardcover. Killer whales had always been seen as bloodthirsty sea monsters. That all changed when a young killer whale was captured off the west coast of North America and displayed to the public in 1964. Moby Doll — as the whale became known — was an instant celebrity, drawing 20,000 visitors on the one and only day he was exhibited. He died within a few months, but his famous gentleness sparked a worldwide crusade that transformed how people understood and appreciated orcas. Because of Moby Doll, we stopped fearing “killers” and grew to love and respect “orcas.”
Laurie Gogic's famous double chocolate bundt cake! She'll make it and deliver it to you! Must be within 25 miles of Kirkland, Washington. Check out a photo of the cake in the gallery section. It's black and white, like an orca. Created and donated by Laurie Gogic.
Beautiful handmade small cup with unique salmon design. Inspired by large "June Hog" Chinook salmon commonly seen in the Elwha River prior to the construction of the dams. Hand painted porcelain with opal sky glaze. Created and donated by Thorly James. Instagram: thorlyj
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With PodMatch Alpha complete, we're on to added user features for PodMatch which will be the Beta version. Our highly skilled web developer's hourly rate is $50 an hour. You can cover the cost of one hour and help PodMatch have the ability to integrate user accounts and be a much more powerful tool!
The training and educational materials each of our volunteer naturalists receive provides them with the tools needed to make a difference when talking with the public. These materials can illustrate ecosystem connectivity between the whales, our salmon, and watersheds even if there are no whales to watch from shore. Each volunteer naturalist gets updated materials each year. New naturalists receive guidebooks that are laminated and waterproof and can add up. On average, training and educational materials to equip each new volunteer cost about $60. By selecting this PERK, you are funding one volunteer to have supplies all year! Thank you!
Learn from board member and orca expert Juliana Houghton at your next scout group meeting, party, or special event! Must be within 30 miles of Snohomish, WA. Available select Fridays through 2019. Must coordinate with us ahead of time to set a date.
A private guided tour (1 hour) for up to six people of the Limekiln Lighthouse with FOLKS Executive Director, Erin Corra. Enjoy amazing views from whale watch park on San Juan Island and possibly see whales! WA Parks Discover Pass required for vehicle parking. Must contact Erin to schedule tour by 12/31/2019. 360-378-5154 Generously donated by FOLKS.
Invite Whale Scout Director, Whitney Neugebauer to give a lecture about Southern Resident killer whales, salmon, and ways to help. 1 hr long presentation. Must provide screen or wall space for slides. Within 30 miles of Seattle, Wa only. Must schedule at least two weeks ahead of time. Expires 12/31/2019.
Have Whitney or another great whale expert come to visit your kids group or class! We'll bring our presentation and hands-on felt board activity connecting backyard habitats, salmon, and ecosystems that support endangered salmon and orcas! Learn why and how planting trees helps orcas. 1 - 1.5 hour visit. Must be within 50 miles of Seattle, Wa. Expires 12/31/2019. Please schedule 2 weeks in advance. Subject to availability. Ages 5+
Practical, environmentally friendly, cup with a purpose. MiiR gives 3% of revenue to to organizations with sustainable methods of empowered. Show off your support for renewable energy and free-flowing rivers with this cup!
Two dozen cookies homemade by the amazing Bridget Verhei! Chose from: chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, peanut butter, chocolate with peanut butter M&M's, oatmeal raisin, and M&M cookies. We'll box em' up and send them your way. Hurry to get them before the holidays are over! Support Whale Scout by eating cookies! What could be better.
Signed Rebecca Pillsbury! Native Northwest cultures have long believed whales to be spiritual guides, capable of leading humans to the meaning of life. These ancient and intelligent giants of the sea do, in fact, instill many with an awe so deep that it changes their life’s direction. That is what happened to the twenty-two individuals featured in this book. Guided by Whales is an exploration of career paths and passion projects undertaken by people who saw a whale…and were never again the same. Here are the stories of artists, activists, authors, filmmakers, marine biologists, naturalists, nonprofit administrators, and more who have dedicated their lives to advocating for cetaceans. Their inspirational stories segue into messages of conservation, education, and Native wisdom. Collectively, these stories demonstrate what Native cultures have known all along: whales have a lot to teach us about how to be better human beings. Donated by Rebecca Pillsbury.
Signed by author Mark Leiren-Young. Hardcover. Killer whales had always been seen as bloodthirsty sea monsters. That all changed when a young killer whale was captured off the west coast of North America and displayed to the public in 1964. Moby Doll — as the whale became known — was an instant celebrity, drawing 20,000 visitors on the one and only day he was exhibited. He died within a few months, but his famous gentleness sparked a worldwide crusade that transformed how people understood and appreciated orcas. Because of Moby Doll, we stopped fearing “killers” and grew to love and respect “orcas.”
Laurie Gogic's famous double chocolate bundt cake! She'll make it and deliver it to you! Must be within 25 miles of Kirkland, Washington. Check out a photo of the cake in the gallery section. It's black and white, like an orca. Created and donated by Laurie Gogic.
Beautiful handmade small cup with unique salmon design. Inspired by large "June Hog" Chinook salmon commonly seen in the Elwha River prior to the construction of the dams. Hand painted porcelain with opal sky glaze. Created and donated by Thorly James. Instagram: thorlyj
