​Program summary:

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Take a deep dive with us to learn all about the orcas of the Salish Sea!  

 

This is a six-month (Jan.-Jun.) experiential learning series that will get you on the Salish Sea six times, build a deeper knowledge about the orcas of the Salish Sea, connect you with local organizations studying orcas of the Salish Sea, introduce you to environmental issues affecting local marine life, connect you with a community of other adults passionate about orcas, and provide ideas about the ways you can help!

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The class begins with a fun Orca Art evening!

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In the months to follow, there will be six in-person discussions before or after we launch for the boat field trips. These lessons occur on the same day as the boat trip to limit commuting.

 

Topics covered will include Orca Basic Biology, Orca Communities and Culture, The Environment and Orca Health, Brief Overview of Orcas of the World, Orca Diets, Southern Resident orcas, Bigg's orcas, and Actions we can take to help orcas.

Additionally, students will meet local researchers during scheduled Zoom meetings (Dr. Deborah Giles of Wild Orca, whale biologist Monika Wieland Shields of Orca Behavior Institute), and attend an in-person field trip to the Orca Survey Center in Friday Harbor.

 

Students will also have access to a private Discord channel to build community connections. 

 

We purposefully curate a small, in-person, community learning experience (up to 6 participants per group). There are no virtual enrollment options for this course. All lessons and boat trips will launch from Skyline Marina in Anacortes, Washington.