Join The Whale Museum and the Salish Sea Association of Marine Naturalists for two special events on Earth Weekend. On Saturday April 23rd we will host our annual Marine Naturalist Gear-Up. This one-day workshop will be held at the San Juan Island Grange in Friday Harbor from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. The schedule for the day includes a presentation about shipping noise by Dr. Jason Wood of SMRU Limited, an introduction to the Harbor Porpoise Project by Cindy Elliser of the Pacific Biodiversity Institute, a discussion about the effects on salmon from increased shipping and higher temperatures by Michael O’Leary of the National Wildlife Federation, and a talk about shoreline restoration projects in San Juan County by Tina Whitman of Friends of the San Juans. The registration fee is $25 with a 20% discount for Whale Museum or SSAMN members.

On Sunday April 24th, The Whale Museum, SSAMN, Orca Network, Center for Whale Research, Pacific Whale Watch Association, American Cetacean Society, and Whale Scout invite you to attend the Southern Resident Orca C.A.L.F. (Community Action – Look Forward) workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. We will begin at the San Juan Community Theatre with a screening of the film Sonic Sea by NRDC and IFAW, followed by keynote addresses by Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research and Michael Jasny of NRDC. We will then meet at the San Juan Island Grange for a facilitated discussion on how we as a community can become more involved in the recovery of Southern Resident orcas and reducing ocean noise. The participant fee of $15 will help offset costs. Participants of both workshops will receive a $5 discount. Lunch for either or both workshops can be pre-ordered and delivered by Spring Street Deli for an additional $10 per day, or you can bring your own. Please pre-register for one or both events at: http://whalemuseum.org/products/earth-weekend-member for Whale Museum or SSAMN members; http://whalemuseum.org/products/earth-weekend-non-member for non-members.

Questions about either workshop or registrations can be directed to Cindy Hansen, Education Curator at The Whale Museum: 360 378-4710 ext. 23 or cindy@whalemuseum.org. We look forward to seeing you there!