New Book, Not on My Watch – Interview with author Alexandra Morton

Alexandra Morton, an orca communication and behavior scientist turned salmon activist, returns to the Whale Scout podcast to discuss her just-released new book, “Not on My Watch: How A Renegade Whale Biologist Took On Governments and Industry To Save Wild Salmon.” An engaging speaker and storyteller, Alexandra shares the emotional, dynamic ongoing struggle to remove Atlantic salmon farms out of the wild, rugged, and resilient waterways that support the communities of British Columbia, Canada, including First Nations. Led to Canada by the orcas, ultimately the work of Alexandra Morton continues to protect the whales through the protection of wild salmon so desperately needed by both the whales and people of the coast.

Purchase a copy of the book via Penguin Random House.

Learn more about Alexandra Morton’s work on her website.

Learn about the work lead by Wild Fish Conservancy in Washington State to remove salmon farms from Puget Sound.

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A New, Damless, Vision for the Lower Snake River and Columbia Basin

Executive Director of Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, Joseph Bogaard, shares promising news about the future of the Columbia Basin and lower Snake River dams. Idaho Republican Congressman Mike Simpson has proposed a plan to recover salmon with a free-flowing Snake River and ensure the prosperity of regional communities. As of today, the plan would be to remove the four lower Snake River dams by 2030 – would it be too late? Joseph Bogaard explains. Learn more about the plan and how you can help.

Read Simpson’s proposal, take action with SOS writing to Northwest Senators and House members) for OR, WA, ID, AK, and MT residents) asking them to work to improve and advance Rep. Simpson’s ‘Columbia Basin Fund’ initiative.

Learn more at: www.wildsalmon.org

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Let’s Talk Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales with Colleen Weiler from WDC

On this podcast we typically closely follow the story of the Southern Resident killer whales, but on this episode we talk with our friend Colleen Weiler from Whale and Dolphin Conservation about her work on North Atlantic Right whales. Join us on a trip to the Atlantic Ocean to learn about these large baleen whales, ropeless fishing gear, shipping traffic, and ways you can help.

For information about Whale and Dolphin Conservation visit: whales.org

For more video podcasts visit our YouTube channel or listen on iTunes.

FREAK OUT AND SAVE RIGHT WHALES – Sign the WDC petition by March 1st, 2021

Learn more and take action on the SAVE RIGHT WHALES ACT!

Learn more about ROPELESS/ON DEMAND FISHING

Sound Action’s New Underwater Orca Camera – Amy Carey

Learn all about Sound Action’s new project – an underwater camera! This video and audio live-stream will hopefully capture orcas at a popular whale watching spot, Point Robinson, which is also an aquatic reserve in south Puget Sound. Executive Director, Amy Carey shares her personal story coming to protect endangered orcas and the work that Sound Action does to protect the critical ecosystem foundations – salmon, forage fish, and nearshore habitats.

For more information on the orca camera project and the full scope of Sound Action’s work as a shoreline development watchdog organization, go to www.SoundAction.org.

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Restore Habitat in Bothell

Volunteer to improve habitat! Portions of Bothell’s largest park, the former Wayne Golf Course, are a migratory corridor for Chinook salmon in the Sammamish River and potential habitat for Coho at the confluence of Waynita Creek. As this amazing property transforms from a golf course into a public open space, volunteers are offered the opportunity to help improve the habitat. By controlling non-native and invasive weeds, and protecting native trees and vegetation, we’re able to improve water quality for salmon and down the line provide more prey for killer whales in Puget Sound!

Join us March 6th. We’re offering different shifts to ensure COVID-safe small groups (fewer than five people total). Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing.

Due to COVID precautions we ask all volunteers bring their own gloves, food and water, and wear mask. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent.

Shifts are 9:00am – 11:00am, 11:30am – 1:30pm, and 2:00 – 4:00pm.

To sign up, please email director@whalescout.org with your name, requested shift start time, number of people in your group, and phone number.

We’re asking for firm, committed RSVP’s only. Upon confirmation, your spot will be held ensuring the group size does not exceed five people. Work party windows are short, please arrive promptly and stay the full time unless arranged ahead of time. Thank you for your cooperation!

Restore Habitat in Bothell – February

Volunteer to improve habitat! Portions of Bothell’s largest park, the former Wayne Golf Course, are a migratory corridor for Chinook salmon in the Sammamish River and potential habitat for Coho at the confluence of Waynita Creek. As this amazing property transforms from a golf course into a public open space, volunteers are offered the opportunity to help improve the habitat. By controlling non-native and invasive weeds, and protecting native trees and vegetation, we’re able to improve water quality for salmon and down the line provide more prey for killer whales in Puget Sound!

Join us February 7th. We’re offering different shifts to ensure COVID-safe small groups (fewer than five people total). Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing.

Due to COVID precautions we ask all volunteers bring their own gloves, food and water, and wear mask. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent.

Shifts are 9:00am – 11:00am, 11:30am – 1:30pm, and 2:00 – 4:00pm.

To sign up, please email director@whalescout.org with your name, requested shift start time, number of people in your group, and phone number.

We’re asking for firm, committed RSVP’s only. Upon confirmation, your spot will be held ensuring the group size does not exceed five people. Work party windows are short, please arrive promptly and stay the full time unless arranged ahead of time. Thank you for your cooperation!

Restore Habitat in Bothell

Volunteer to improve habitat! Portions of Bothell’s largest park, the former Wayne Golf Course, are a migratory corridor for Chinook salmon in the Sammamish River and potential habitat for Coho at the confluence of Waynita Creek. As this amazing property transforms from a golf course into a public open space, volunteers are offered the opportunity to help improve the habitat. By controlling non-native and invasive weeds, and protecting native trees and vegetation, we’re able to improve water quality for salmon and down the line provide more prey for killer whales in Puget Sound!

Join us January 23rd. We’re offering different shifts to ensure COVID-safe small groups (fewer than five people total). Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing.

Due to COVID precautions we ask all volunteers bring their own gloves, food and water, and wear mask. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent.

Shifts are 9:00am – 11:00am, 11:30am – 1:30pm, and 2:00 – 4:00pm.

To sign up, please email director@whalescout.org with your name, requested shift start time, number of people in your group, and phone number.

We’re asking for firm, committed RSVP’s only. Upon confirmation, your spot will be held ensuring the group size does not exceed five people. Work party windows are short, please arrive promptly and stay the full time unless arranged ahead of time. Thank you for your cooperation!

Upcoming Film, Searching for Chinook with Alexandra Johnston

Executive Producer and Presenter Alexandra Johnston joins the Whale Scout podcast to share an update on the upcoming film, Searching for Chinook. Footage was captured during the dramatic summer of 2018 on San Juan Island when J35 Tahlequah lost and carried her dead calf on a “tour of grief” and J50 Scarlet slowly and tragically perished despite an unprecedented rescue effort. Alexandra and the small team including Maisie Williams and Marina Nangle now work to complete the film during a challenging year. You can support their work by visiting their website and purchasing merchandise including sunglasses made from recycled marine debris.

Website: https://searchingforchinook.com/

Instagram: @SearchingforChinook

Please subscribe for more video podcasts on YouTube and iTunes! www.whalescout.org

Celebrate Orca Recovery Day!

Volunteer to improve habitat! Portions of Bothell’s largest park, the former Wayne Golf Course, are a migratory corridor for Chinook salmon in the Sammamish River and potential habitat for Coho at the confluence of Waynita Creek. As this amazing property transforms from a golf course into a public open space, volunteers are offered the opportunity to help improve the habitat. By controlling non-native and invasive weeds, and protecting native trees and vegetation, we’re able to improve water quality for salmon and down the line provide more prey for killer whales in Puget Sound!

Join us in to celebrate Orca Recovery Day, October 17th! We’re offering different shifts to ensure COVID-safe small groups (fewer than five people total). Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing.

Due to COVID precautions we ask all volunteers bring their own gloves, food and water, and wear mask. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent.

Shifts are 9:00am – 11:00am, 11:30am – 1:30pm, and 2:00 – 4:00pm.

To sign up, please email director@whalescout.org with your name, requested shift start time, number of people in your group, and phone number. We’re asking for firm, committed RSVP’s only. Upon confirmation, your RSVP will hold your spot ensuring the group size does not exceed five people. Thank you for your cooperation!

Feds Won’t Remove Snake River Dams for Salmon, Orcas – Now What? Next steps with Joseph Bogaard

The federal government decided in July of 2020 to keep the four lower Snake River dams in place, knowingly turning against the best option for salmon recovery and for the benefit of endangered Southern Resident killer whales in desperate need of additional prey resources. With this long-awaited and expensive federal already decision made, where do we go from here? What steps can be taken to recover salmon in the Columbia and Snake River? We talk with Joseph Bogaard of Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition to hear what he has to say about the federal decision and what steps can be taken today to influence decision-makers for a better outcome tomorrow.

To learn more about Save Our Wild Salmon visit: www.wildsalmon.org

Check out their upcoming webinar about orcas and Columbia River salmon.

Talking to your elected officials is an important first step. Contact Washington State Governor Inslee, Senator Patty Murray, and Senator Maria Cantwell.

Read Whale Scout’s letter to Governor Inslee following the federal decision.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and on iTunes for more!