October 14 Orca Recovery Day
A graceful orca slicing through the Salish Sea - Photo by Author
October 14 is Orca Recovery Day!
There are 75 Southern Resident Orcas remaining. They’ve been listed on the Endangered Species List since 2007 - when there were 89 individuals.
Their biggest threats are - the loss of salmon (no fish no blackfish), pollution/degrading habitats, and marine traffic noise. While this is bad news the good news is, anything you do that helps with any of these topics, directly helps the Orca!
The Salish Sea, with its pristine waters and abundant marine life, has long been a haven for orcas – the magnificent creatures that grace our shores. However, over the years, these majestic animals have faced numerous threats, including pollution, habitat degradation, and declining prey populations.
Organized by local environmental organizations Orca Recovery Day aims to raise awareness about the challenges facing orcas while celebrating the inspiring initiatives being undertaken to protect and restore their populations.
Community involvement is a central aspect of Orca Recovery Day, and various volunteer activities are organized to empower individuals to contribute to the conservation efforts. Participants can engage in beach cleanups, restore critical salmon habitat, or even monitor water quality – all of which have a direct impact on the health of the orcas and their ecosystem.
Head over to BetterGround’s Orca Recovery Day page to find local events you can participate in.
We haven’t decided which activity we’ll be going to , but likely we’ll be up at Nooksack working with the fisheries to photograph their experience and learn more about the important role they play in saving these amazing creatures for the future.
If you have time, you can also visit Orca Conservancy- they have an event in Kent, WA, and a lot of information on their site.
Orca Network - based in Langley, on Whidbey, is starting an Online Auction on the 14th, and they also have a kid-friendly Orca Camp during the day.
The Snohomish Conservation District has two separate events in Mukilteo and Marysville. While the one in Mukilteo is geared more towards children and educational activities, Marysville will be about getting down and dirty to clear the waterways by Allen Creek.
And up further North the Skagit Marine Resources Committee has an exciting event planned on Oct 12 in Anacortes.
If you’re on Friday Harbor - head over to the Center for Whale Research and attend one of their talks, or scientific events.
These magnificent creatures are not just icons of our region but are also indicators of the overall health of our marine ecosystems. By embracing sustainable practices, reducing pollution, and advocating for healthy and abundant prey populations, we can create a positive future for both the orcas and the entire Salish Sea.
