Now that the legislative session is over, where do the Orca Task Force recommendations stand? Has progress been made? The BOLD team has the answers in this easy-to-read scorecard.
Thank you to everyone who’s been following and engaging with their legislators to help critical bills get passed! There is still more work to be done in a lot of areas as you will find out in this report particularly in funding salmon habitat projects.
Join Whale Scout to help keep the newly planted trees and shrubs at the former Wayne Golf Course alive and thriving! This future riparian forest will help shade and cool and clean water in the Sammamish River which salmon use to migrate from spawning streams and back from the ocean. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of river banks and host insects young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell park. These events will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
To efficiently water plants, there are two sessions, 9 – 11 pm and 11am – 1pm. You can select one or both when you sign up. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
Important – this activity will require lifting and carrying buckets of water weighting approximately 25 pounds over uneven terrain. If you would like to participate in other activities, sign up for the June 10th event where a variety of weeding will be offered.
This project is a partnership with the City of Bothell with funds provided by a donation from the Trammell Crow Company.
Join Whale Scout to help keep the newly planted trees and shrubs at the former Wayne Golf Course alive and thriving! This future riparian forest will help shade and cool and clean water in the Sammamish River which salmon use to migrate from spawning streams and back from the ocean. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of river banks and host insects young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell park. These events will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
To efficiently water plants, there are two sessions, 9 – 11 pm and 11am – 1pm. You can select one or both when you sign up. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
Important – this activity will require lifting and carrying buckets of water weighting approximately 25 pounds over uneven terrain. If you would like to participate in other activities, sign up for the June 10th event where a variety of weeding will be offered.
This project is a partnership with the City of Bothell with funds provided by a donation from the Trammell Crow Company.
Join Whale Scout to help keep the newly planted trees and shrubs at the former Wayne Golf Course alive and thriving! This future riparian forest will help shade and cool and clean water in the Sammamish River which salmon use to migrate from spawning streams and back from the ocean. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of river banks and host insects young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell park. These events will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
To efficiently water plants, there are two sessions, 9 – 11 pm and 11am – 1pm. You can select one or both when you sign up. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
Important – this activity will require lifting and carrying buckets of water weighting approximately 25 pounds over uneven terrain. If you would like to participate in other activities, sign up for the June 10th event where a variety of weeding will be offered.
This project is a partnership with the City of Bothell with funds provided by a donation from the Trammell Crow Company.
June is Orca Action Month in the Pacific Northwest! Endangered Southern Resident killer whales depend on salmon as a critical prey resource from watersheds in Puget Sound and beyond. Salmon use the Sammamish River as a migratory corridor. Improving the water quality in the river will help both struggling salmon populations and orcas. Join us to prepare a new planting site at the former Wayne Golf Course. Vegetation will help shade and cool and clean a small stream emptying into the Sammamish River. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of river banks and host insects young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell park. Activities will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
Orca Action Month in June is a chance to celebrate one of the region’s most iconic wildlife species, but also an opportunity to take action to protect them and our shared waters. Join us for a month of educational and celebratory events to raise awareness of the threats facing the Southern Resident orca population and what we can do to protect them.
This year we’ll commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act with some success stories from the past half century and honor some legendary Southern Resident orcas who leave behind “Lasting Legacies”.
In-person, family friendly, and free events to kick off Orca Action Month will be held in Seattle, Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, Langley on Whidbey Island, and Sidney, British Columbia. A hybrid in-person/virtual event will be held 3 – 5 pm, with keynote speakers Florian Graner of Sealife Productions joining from the Whidbey Island event and Jay Julius of Se’si’le and the Lummi Nation joining from the San Juan Island event!
What: Orca Action Month Kick-Off Events on Sunday, June 4
When: Sunday, June 4th
Where:
Seattle
San Juan Island
Whidbey Island
Sidney, British Columbia
Virtual Event
Can’t make it to one of the kick- off events? See the full list of Orca Month events here.
Orca Action Month is brought to you by the Orca Salmon Alliance which is composed of multiple regional, national, and international groups with diverse interests and areas of focus. Our collaborative structure allows us to advocate on a variety of issues under our primary goal: to prevent the extinction of the Southern Resident killer whales by recovering the wild Chinook populations upon which the whales depend for their survival.
Happy Orca Action Month!
Take a salmon-eye view of the Sammamish River to learn more about orcas and the ways salmon use the river system to complete their life-cycle. Enjoy a morning of adventure, exploration, and fun kayaking along the Sammamish River in Bothell. Prior to setting off on a one-hour round trip tour, we’ll share a little about the history of the river and ways it’s being protected and restored.
Kayaks are included in the cost and provided by WhatsSup. When registering please indicate if you would like a single or a double boat. Space will be limited and we appreciate your flexibility. We will meet at the Park at Bothell Landing near the playground. Participants must be 18 years or older or accompanied by an adult. Life jackets will be provided. No experience necessary. Presented in partnership with Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group and Sno-King Watershed Council.
Dress for the weather and bring sunscreen!
Note – Basic kayak instruction will be provided by WhatsSup with participation at your own risk. This is an individually guided tour, not with a professional guide.
Location: Park at Bothell Landing, 9919 NE 180 St, Bothell
Time: 9am – 11am
Cost: $30 per person
Sign up here!
Content coming soon!
Whale Scout, a nonprofit organization based in King County, Washington is looking for student interns for spring and summer sessions to assist with salmon habitat restoration and outreach and education activities with diverse audiences. Dedicated to protecting Pacific Northwest whales through land-based conservation experiences, Whale Scout takes a boots-on-the-ground approach to recovering endangered Southern Resident killer whales and the salmon they rely upon. We acknowledge that we are on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people, and recognize that certain local communities of color are disproportionately impacted by lack of salmon, poor water quality, and access to outdoor environmental experiences and education. Our programs, including this internship, work to address these issues. We are seeking applicants whose backgrounds, experiences, language skills, and interests align with environmental justice goals related to Puget Sound. This internship will offer students the opportunity to learn about killer whales, salmon habitat, native vegetation, communication, community building, non-profit organizational management, and become certified water quality monitors. It will offer those 17 and older field experience educating the public including diverse families. The internship may also include opportunities to participate in field trips to San Juan Island. No prior experience is required. Students are invited to apply for spring and/or summer sessions. Compensation is $18/hr. Applications are due April 11th for consideration for the spring session and April 30th for consideration for the summer session.
Description of Responsibilities
Spring session: Approximately 6 hrs per week. Fieldwork at alternating locations (Bear Creek in Redmond and the former Wayne Golf Course in Bothell) on Fridays and independent study. Includes some weekend days for community volunteer and special events.
Dates: Mid April – June
Summer session: Approximately 15 hours per week.
Dates: July 6th – August 31st
Watering, weeding, maintenance, and monitoring of newly planted native vegetation at restoration sites within north King County
Riparian and water quality monitoring at our Bear Creek site
Outreach performing educational activities working with kids and families throughout King County
Leading volunteer work parties
Data entry for the PodMatch website and some administrative tasks
Independent reading, learning and research
Possible field trip(s) to San Juan Island
Benefits
$18/hr compensation
Field experience
Continuing educational opportunities
Networking opportunities
Experience working with diverse communities
Experience learning about salmon habitat restoration and water quality testing techniques
Upon successful completion of internship, letter(s) of recommendation for future positions
Commitment
Commitment 6 hours per week for spring and 15 hours per week for summer (approx).
Schedule can vary and include some weekends and evenings. We encourage students to take advantage of time off and vacations and just ask for written notice to ensure coverage in scheduling.
Skills and Qualifications
Open mind and willingness to explore other points of view
Computer skills – use of Google products such as Google calendar, Google docs, Google sheets/excel and Zoom. Access to a computer/internet/email is particularly helpful
Be able to lift 40 lbs
Interest in teaching a diverse group of students both in and out of the classroom
Proven personal initiative and ability to multitask, prioritize, use good judgement, problem solve, and work effectively both independently and as a team in a fast-paced environment
Ability to hike several miles outdoors in all weather conditions
Demonstrated written and oral communication skills and detail-oriented organizational skills
Must be at least 17 years old on first day of internship
Must provide transportation to sites across King County
Must successfully pass a criminal history background check
Must be legally able to work in the United States
Willingness to store and/or transport materials to and from home
Willingness to learn more about the threats and science regarding Southern Resident killer whales
Housing not provided
We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA2S+, people living with disabilities, and veterans. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.
We consider the “whole applicant,” working to develop a cohort of interns with unique perspectives each year. Typically we receive far more applicants than available positions.
To apply, please complete this application.
Program Support
This program is funded with support from: WRIA 8, King County Flood Control District, King County Wastewater Treatment Division, NOAA Fisheries, Keta Legacy Foundation, and King County Parks
Celebrate Earth Day by helping remove invasive plants along the edge of the forest at the Former Wayne Golf Course! Healthy riparian forests are essential for absorbing excess rain and controlling erosion of river banks, which helps protect young salmon. Activities will take place in the Back Nine of the park.
All are welcome! Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent.
Please sign up! There is a participation limit for safety. You’ll receive a confirmation email 2-3 days prior to the event.
Lear more about other exciting events all month long through the City of Bothell.
This event is full! Please consider joining Sunday’s event here.
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by volunteering a day of service in our community. Join the City of Bothell and Whale Scout to plant trees and shrubs at the former Wayne Golf Course. Vegetation will help shade and cool and clean water in the Sammamish River which salmon use to migrate from spawning streams and back from the ocean. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of river banks and host insects young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell park. Planting will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
This project is a partnership with the City of Bothell with funds provided by a donation from the Trammell Crow Company.
