Partner Events Throughout the Region
Together, let’s make a difference.
Pledge to Protect Southern Resident Orcas
Are you a boater? Boat noise and disturbance make it harder for Southern Residents to find and catch their prey. Pledge to stay 1,000 yards away from J, K and L pods, and give the whales the space they need to forage, rest and tend their young.
Snohomish Conservation District | Tree planting & family-friendly activities | Skykomish River Park, Monroe | October 19
Join us at Skykomish River Park to learn about our local Orca pod and how you can support Orca habitat! Plan on a fun family day at the park. We’ll have booths from local organizations with various educational materials, games, and activities including a watershed model and a poop toss game.
We’ll also be planting native trees at a nearby location to support watershed health! The Skykomish River connects to the Snohomish River and flows all the way to Puget Sound. The native trees we’ll plant near Skykomish River Park will have downstream impacts, helping our Southern Resident Orcas. Grab a bite to eat at the food trucks and take home some fun Orca Recovery Day swag.
Friends of North Creek Forest & City of Bothell | Invasive weed removal | Bothell | October 19
Join us at North Creek Forest for a Volunteer Stewardship Work Party! Meet at 20204 108th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011. Tools and work gloves will be provided. Dress for the weather. Closed-toed, sturdy shoes are required. Boots are highly recommended. Volunteers ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Tasks could include invasive species removal, spreading mulch, planting native species, watering young plants and more! Volunteer work parties provide great networking opportunities, an introduction to restoration ecology, and a fun way to spend time in the great outdoors!
Hazelwood Elementary School | Mini Warriors: Kids Unite Against Microplastics | Lynnwood | October 19
Hazelwood Elementary’s 4th Grade classes will be hosting a microplastic festival entitled Microplastic Matters: Dive into Knowledge!
Sound Salmon Solutions | Riparian restoration | West of Darrington | October 19
Our local southern resident orcas rely on the endangered chinook salmon as their main food source to survive. Due to habitat loss, climate change, and increased pollution, it has become even more difficult for migrating salmon to make the journey home to grow their population. In order to save our orcas, we must start with our salmon. Join Sound Salmon Solutions in celebration of Orca Recovery Day by planting native trees and shrubs along the North Fork Stillaguamish River to restore salmon spawning habitat which will in turn support the recovery of our southern resident orcas. Volunteers ages 5+ with parent/guardian are encouraged to join us. Exact location will be shared with registered participants.
Adopt A Stream Foundation | Streaming party of “Killer Whale Tales” | Everett | October 15
Join the Adopt A Stream Foundation community at the Northwest Stream Center on Saturday October 5th, at 1 PM to see Jeff Hogan and his presentation titled, “Killer Whale Tales.” “Jeff Hogan’s entertaining presentation is not only very educational, but fun for young and old.” says Adopt A Stream Foundation’s Tom Murdoch. “He is not only a great teacher and photographer, but a trained actor to boot. Jeff puts on a ‘whale of a show’!”
Thanks to amazing video photography by Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales (killerwhaletales.org), you will learn about the “Southern Pod.” They reside in waters around the San Juan Islands and make occasional trips south into Puget Sound. Jeff will teach you to recognize if the Orcas you see in Puget Sound are hunting for salmon, traveling from one area to another, or just playing as they leap and splash. You will also observe these magnificent whales sleeping….they sleep “on the move” by putting one-half of their extremely large brain to sleep while navigating with the other half!
Kitsap County Parks | Multiple Events
Invasive Weed Removal (October 5-19)
Please bring any tools you will need for the work. Some tools will be provided. We recommend long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy shoes/boots. Please also bring any water, snacks, or medication you may need for the duration of the event.
- October 5: Chico Salmon Park
- October 12: Banner Forest Heritage Park
- October 12: North Kitsap Heritage Park
- October 19: Coulter Creek Heritage Park
- October 19: Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park
- October 19: Newberry Hill Heritage Park
Chico Salmon Park | Guided in-stream chum and coho salmon viewing | October 26
Salmon docents (guides) will provide education about salmon, salmon habitat, and how we can all get involved in their protection. Join us in watching the salmon return to their spawning streams.
Kitsap Conservation District | Riparian Restoration | Port Orchard
Help us plant over 700 plants to restore the riparian area of a fish barrier removal project we just completed! Over a mile of habitat has just been made available to salmonids and now its time to further improve their habitat by installing plants to promote biodiversity, shade the stream, and provide material for future in-stream habitat.
Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group | Riparian Planting | Skagit River, South Mount Vernon | October 19
Join us for our first planting party of fall 2024! Help us celebrate Orca Recovery Day by planting trees to enhance habitat for Southern Resident Killer Whales’ favorite food: Chinook salmon.
When: October 19 from 9am-Noon at the Skagit River in South Mount Vernon.
Where: Located near the intersection of Dike and Hazel
Google Map Driving Directions from Mt Vernon: From Downtown Mount Vernon head west on W Kincaid St, toward the river, and turn south on Cleveland Ave. Continue down this road about 0.5miles and take a right (west) on W Hazel St. Follow W Hazel for about 0.3miles and as the road begins to bend left slow down and look for a ramp leading up to the dike, do not drive up, but note you will walk up this ramp to find our event. On the adjacent side of the road there is room for parking, but you may have to drive down the road and turn around.
Parking Instructions: We recommend finding a spot along a nearby street or on W Hazel St where space allows. Please be mindful when parking along W Hazel St and do not block folks’ driveways or take a home’s personal parking spot. Please carpool!
Mason Conservation District | Riparian restoration | Salish Roots Farm | October 19
Orca Recovery Day is Saturday, October 19th, at Salish Roots Farm from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join us as we plant native trees and shrubs to expand the buffer on Skookum Creek, improving the habitat for migrating salmon, the orca’s favorite food.
Clallam Conservation District | Riparian restoration | Port Angeles | October 17
Join us for educational and volunteer events designed to bring awareness to the plight of the southern resident orca whale.
Pierce Conservation District | Multiple events
Urban tree planting in Orting | October 19
Join PCD’s habitat team as we celebrate Orca Recovery Day at South Prairie Creek Preserve! We will be planting a mix of trees and shrubs throughout the site to enhance salmon habitat along the creek. South Prairie Creek Preserve is one of the most productive salmon runs in the area and greatly contribute to our resident orcas primary food source.
Invasive weed removal in Puyallup | October 19
Volunteer with PCD by spending 3 hours at Bradley Lake Park in Puyallup. Activities include caring for existing plants and removing invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry and thistle. This work supports water quality, our local wildlife, and pollinators. Exact meeting location will be provided after signing up.
Trash pick-up & urban tree planting in Tacoma | October 19
Join your neighbors as we plant this depaved space in Hilltop. Volunteers depaved this area in May this year, and now we need to green it up. Come help install native and pollinator-friendly plants, meet neighbors, and make new friends!
Urban tree planting in Puyallup | October 19
Volunteer with us for Orca Recovery Day by spending 3 hours at the Peck Property in Puyallup attached to Decoursey Park. Come enjoy music, games, and help to protect and restore your local ecosystem for things like Salmon, Birds, and yes, even Orcas. Activities include caring for existing plants and removing invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry, English ivy and thistle as well as installing new native plants on site.
Metro Parks Tacoma | Riparian restoration | Titlow Park | October 19
Join Metro Parks Tacoma at Titlow Park for #OrcaRecoveryDay 2024! Volunteers will be planting native shrubs and trees to support our Southern Resident Orcas and environment.
EarthCorps | Riparian restoration | Tahoma Salt Marsh, Tacoma | October 19
Orca Recovery Day is an opportunity to join EarthCorps and Pierce Conservation District to work to recover critically endangered Orca Whales and restore Salmon Habitat. EarthCorps will be hosting a native tree and shrub planting even at Tahoma Salt Marsh in Tacoma as part of the Commencement Bay Stewardship Collaborative’s mission to restore ecological integrity and salmon habitat.
Whidbey Island Conservation District | Riparian restoration | Cornet Bay, Deception Pass State Park | October 19
Save the date for this year’s Orca Recovery Day celebration at Cornet Bay! Several walk and talk events through out the day will be intermingled with volunteering at shoreline restoration plantings. Featuring: Island County Marine Resources Committee, Northwest Straits Foundation, Sound Water Stewards, and Orca Network.
The Salish Sea School | Educational booth at Anacortes Farmers Market | October 12
Education and outreach at our booth at the Anacortes Farmers Market including a book about Tokitae written by a local teenager, inspired by Tokitae’s story.
Whidbey Camano Land Trust | Multiple Events | October 2-26
Riparian restoration | Dugualla Heights Conservation, Oak Harbor | October 2
Thistle and blackberry–oh my! Come remove weeds at this restoration site next to Skagit Bay.
Guided nature tour | Camano Ridge, Camano Island | October 5
Join us for a tour of one of the largest contiguous properties on Camano Island an, as such, provides critical wildlife habitat.
Invasive weed removal | Keystone Farm and Forest Preserve, Coupeville | October 17
Come celebrate Orcas by working on this preserve along Admiralty Bay. Assist with weed removal, trail building, and other restoration projects!
Trash pick-up | Keystone Farm and Forest Preserve, Coupeville | October 26
Come clean up the beach for the Orcas. We are partnering Puget Soundkeepers of International Coastal Cleanups to clean up 2/3 mile of coastline along Admiralty Bay
Sound Water Stewards of Island County | Trash pick-up | Camano Island State Park | October 15
Grab a pail, save a whale! Join Sound Water Stewards as we cleanup the beaches and forest of Camano Island State Park. Partnering with WSU Waste Wise, we repurposed plastic plant pots to be used at this event…youth sizes as well! Play a part in the protection of the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area…home to threatened salmon and orca. Sea you there!
Jefferson County Conservation District & North Olympic Salmon Coalition | Riparian Planting | Port Townsend, WA | October 19
Come join us again in celebrating Orca Recovery Day as the Jefferson County Conservation District and the North Olympic Salmon Coalition team up for a planting event at Salmon Creek! This is important habitat for Endangered Hood Canal summer chum salmon. Recent studies have shown that when Chinook salmon, the preferred prey of Southern Resident Orcas, is in short supply, they’ll supplement their diet with other species, including chum salmon.
Duwamish Alive Coalition | Trash clean-up, riparian plantings, & more | Duwamish Watershed | October 19
Join our efforts throughout the watershed and on the river removing debris, caring for vital salmon habitat and our upland forests — it’s all connected to our Puget Sound and Orcas. The Duwamish Watershed supports all 5 salmon species including the critical Chinook which Orca need to survive.
World Relief Western WA | Cover crop planting | Kent | October 19
Join us at Paradise Parking Plots Community Garden on Saturday, Oct 19th from 9am-12pm to help prepare our garden for winter! Now that the growing season has ended, our garden plots are ready to be prepped for the winter. We need your help to amend our soil with healthy compost and plant protective winter cover crop in our 50 growing beds. These actions will prevent winter erosion of our soil, capture nutrients for next season, and ensure we’re set up for a productive 2024 harvest!
Puget Soundkeeper Alliance | Kayak clean up | Ha’apus/T107 Park, Seattle | October 19
Puget Soundkeeper will be working with the River Access Paddle Program to provide several kayak cleanup opportunities during the fall Duwamish Alive! event at Ha’apus/T701 Park.
Weed Warriors Nature Stewards Program | Invasive weed removal | October 19
Volunteers welcome and needed for the demonstration rain garden restoration at the New Start community garden. Weed Warriors provide the tools and the gloves. Come and have fun celebrating Orca Recovery Day with like-minded environmentalists! 10 AM to noon. Location: 614 SW 120th St. Burien, WA
Whale Scout | Riparian restoration | Former Wayne Golf Course | October 19
Join Whale Scout to restore salmon habitat along the Sammamish River in Bothell.
Friends of North Creek Forest & City of Bothell | Invasive weed removal | Bothell | October 19
Join us at North Creek Forest for a Volunteer Stewardship Work Party! Meet at 20204 108th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011. Tools and work gloves will be provided. Dress for the weather. Closed-toed, sturdy shoes are required. Boots are highly recommended. Volunteers ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Tasks could include invasive species removal, spreading mulch, planting native species, watering young plants and more! Volunteer work parties provide great networking opportunities, an introduction to restoration ecology, and a fun way to spend time in the great outdoors!
King Conservation District | Private Event | Kirkland
This year KCD will celebrate our seventh annual Orca Recovery Day at Eastside Preparatory School! During this volunteer event we’ll be beginning to restore a section of Cochran Springs Creek by removing invasive blackberry. Cochran Springs Creek is accessible to multiple species of salmon, and is connected to the Yarrow Bay Wetlands adjacent to Lake Washington. Removing blackberry will help us clear the area in preparation for installing native plants, which will improve the water and habitat quality of the creek. Improving the conditions of King County’s freshwater streams helps our local salmon, which in turn feed our endangered Southern Resident Orcas!
The City of Kent & Green River Coalition | Riparian restoration | Riverview Park | October 19
Help our orca population by restoring riparian habitat along the Green River! By removing invasive species and planting native plants, you’ll help improve conditions for salmon, which are a food source for orcas. Orca Recovery Day is Co-Hosted with our Conservation Partner, Green River Coalition!
San Juan Islands Conservation District | Garry Oak Maintenance | Shooting Star Meadow Preserve | October 19
Join us for a day of hands-on conservation with the San Juan Preservation Trust, focusing on weeding, Garry oak maintenance, and an insightful discussion on how upland water processes impact the Salish Sea and its marine life, especially in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Thurston Conservation District | Garry Oak Maintenance | Squaxin Park | October 19
Join Thurston Conservation District and City of Olympia at Squaxin Park (Formerly Priest Point Park) for our annual Orca Recovery Day! Volunteers are invited to be a part of the solution for our endangered Southern Resident orca whales. During this restoration event, we will work together to restore forested habitats to their intended state by removing non-indigenous vegetation and planting Pacific Northwest trees and shrubs. The day will also include a guided shore walk, refreshments, and a chance to learn about other organizations helping to better our orcas! Being a part of Orca Recovery Day is an opportunity for you to make a difference for our endangered Southern Resident orca whales!
Palouse Conservation District | Riparian restoration | Paradise Creek | October 19
Join Palouse Conservation District for a volunteer planting event to celebrate Orca Recovery Day, a statewide campaign to restore vital habitat for the orca’s food source, Chinook salmon, and work to create better ocean conditions for the orcas. Far from ocean waters, surrounded by a sea of rolling hills, you can be part of the solution on Saturday, October 19th from 9am-12pm. Volunteers will be participating in a stream restoration project along a waterway in the Palouse River Watershed to address water quality issues. This is a family-friendly event. The water quality of creeks and rivers of the Palouse have a direct impact on the bodies of water downstream. Urban development, agricultural runoff, and soil erosion have changed our creeks creating degraded water conditions. Restoration efforts including planting native plants along stream banks, improves soil and water quality and creates habitat for wildlife. Site selection is currently in progress, but will be between Moscow and Pullman. The exact location will be provided to participants prior to the event.
Whatcom Conservation District | Riparian restoration | Blaine | October 19
Join Whatcom Conservation District, Whatcom Land Trust, and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association for a day of Chinook salmon habitat restoration along California Creek. We’ll build upon past years’ restoration of other stretches of the creek to help the food source of our Southern Resident Orcas.
Orca Network | Virtual Talks
Orca-Salmon Month webinar – “Uncovering Recovery”. It has been almost 20 years since Southern Resident orcas were listed as endangered, but their numbers are not increasing. Join us as we discuss what needs to be done differently in order to see real recovery.
Killer Whale Tales | Learn about salmon and their impact on orca!
Ever wondered what Southern Resident whale diets reveal about marine ecosystems? Join us for a fascinating online hands-on activity where you’ll step into the shoes of a marine scientist. In this interactive event, you’ll examine fish scales collected from predation events, analyzing the data to uncover crucial information about whale feeding patterns. What You’ll Do: Analyze fish scales to determine the types of fish consumed by whales. Chart and record data on the timing and locations of these feeding events. Trace the origins of the fish to their spawning streams. The session will culminate in a thought-provoking discussion on the importance of protecting the spawning habitats of salmon and their impact on marine life. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to marine science from the comfort of your home! Sign up now at Eventbrite to reserve your spot and dive into the depths of marine research!
MidCoast Watersheds Council | Starr Creek Preserve, Newport | October 18
Join MidCoast Watersheds Council for a volunteer riparian planting day at Starr Creek, in support of Orca recovery. Earlier this year, Starr Creek Preserve saw a major restoration effort, with over 200 logs strategically placed in the stream and floodplain to create complex, healthy habitat for salmon. Now, we’re working to restore native vegetation to enhance these efforts and support long-term ecosystem health. All are welcome—come help us bring native plants back to this special site!
Friends of North Creek Forest & City of Bothell | Invasive weed removal | Bothell | October 19
Join us at North Creek Forest for a Volunteer Stewardship Work Party! Meet at 20204 108th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011. Tools and work gloves will be provided. Dress for the weather. Closed-toed, sturdy shoes are required. Boots are highly recommended. Volunteers ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Tasks could include invasive species removal, spreading mulch, planting native species, watering young plants and more! Volunteer work parties provide great networking opportunities, an introduction to restoration ecology, and a fun way to spend time in the great outdoors!
Hazelwood Elementary School | Mini Warriors: Kids Unite Against Microplastics | Lynnwood | October 19
Hazelwood Elementary’s 4th Grade classes will be hosting a microplastic festival entitled Microplastic Matters: Dive into Knowledge!
Sound Salmon Solutions | Riparian restoration | West of Darrington | October 19
Our local southern resident orcas rely on the endangered chinook salmon as their main food source to survive. Due to habitat loss, climate change, and increased pollution, it has become even more difficult for migrating salmon to make the journey home to grow their population. In order to save our orcas, we must start with our salmon. Join Sound Salmon Solutions in celebration of Orca Recovery Day by planting native trees and shrubs along the North Fork Stillaguamish River to restore salmon spawning habitat which will in turn support the recovery of our southern resident orcas. Volunteers ages 5+ with parent/guardian are encouraged to join us. Exact location will be shared with registered participants.
Whale Scout | Riparian restoration | Former Wayne Golf Course | October 19
Join Whale Scout to restore salmon habitat along the Sammamish River in Bothell.
Adopt A Stream Foundation | Streaming party of “Killer Whale Tales” | Everett | October 15
Join the Adopt A Stream Foundation community at the Northwest Stream Center on Saturday October 5th, at 1 PM to see Jeff Hogan and his presentation titled, “Killer Whale Tales.” “Jeff Hogan’s entertaining presentation is not only very educational, but fun for young and old.” says Adopt A Stream Foundation’s Tom Murdoch. “He is not only a great teacher and photographer, but a trained actor to boot. Jeff puts on a ‘whale of a show’!”
Thanks to amazing video photography by Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales (killerwhaletales.org), you will learn about the “Southern Pod.” They reside in waters around the San Juan Islands and make occasional trips south into Puget Sound. Jeff will teach you to recognize if the Orcas you see in Puget Sound are hunting for salmon, traveling from one area to another, or just playing as they leap and splash. You will also observe these magnificent whales sleeping….they sleep “on the move” by putting one-half of their extremely large brain to sleep while navigating with the other half!
Kitsap County Parks | Multiple Events
Invasive Weed Removal (October 5-19)
Please bring any tools you will need for the work. Some tools will be provided. We recommend long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy shoes/boots. Please also bring any water, snacks, or medication you may need for the duration of the event.
- October 5: Chico Salmon Park
- October 12: Banner Forest Heritage Park
- October 12: North Kitsap Heritage Park
- October 19: Coulter Creek Heritage Park
- October 19: Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park
- October 19: Newberry Hill Heritage Park
Chico Salmon Park | Guided in-stream chum and coho salmon viewing | October 26
Salmon docents (guides) will provide education about salmon, salmon habitat, and how we can all get involved in their protection. Join us in watching the salmon return to their spawning streams.
Whidbey Island Conservation District | Riparian restoration | Cornet Bay, Deception Pass State Park | October 19
Save the date for this year’s Orca Recovery Day celebration at Cornet Bay! Several walk and talk events through out the day will be intermingled with volunteering at shoreline restoration plantings. Featuring: Island County Marine Resources Committee, Northwest Straits Foundation, Sound Water Stewards, and Orca Network.
The Salish Sea School | Educational booth at Anacortes Farmers Market | October 12
Education and outreach at our booth at the Anacortes Farmers Market including a book about Tokitae written by a local teenager, inspired by Tokitae’s story.
Whidbey Camano Land Trust | Multiple Events | October 2-26
Riparian restoration | Dugualla Heights Conservation, Oak Harbor | October 2
Thistle and blackberry–oh my! Come remove weeds at this restoration site next to Skagit Bay.
Guided nature tour | Camano Ridge, Camano Island | October 5
Join us for a tour of one of the largest contiguous properties on Camano Island an, as such, provides critical wildlife habitat.
Invasive weed removal | Keystone Farm and Forest Preserve, Coupeville | October 17
Come celebrate Orcas by working on this preserve along Admiralty Bay. Assist with weed removal, trail building, and other restoration projects!
Trash pick-up | Keystone Farm and Forest Preserve, Coupeville | October 26
Come clean up the beach for the Orcas. We are partnering Puget Soundkeepers of International Coastal Cleanups to clean up 2/3 mile of coastline along Admiralty Bay
Sound Water Stewards of Island County | Trash pick-up | Camano Island State Park | October 15
Grab a pail, save a whale! Join Sound Water Stewards as we cleanup the beaches and forest of Camano Island State Park. Partnering with WSU Waste Wise, we repurposed plastic plant pots to be used at this event…youth sizes as well! Play a part in the protection of the Saratoga Passage Marine Stewardship Area…home to threatened salmon and orca. Sea you there!
San Juan Islands Conservation District | Garry Oak Maintenance | Shooting Star Meadow Preserve | October 19
Join us for a day of hands-on conservation with the San Juan Preservation Trust, focusing on weeding, Garry oak maintenance, and an insightful discussion on how upland water processes impact the Salish Sea and its marine life, especially in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Orca Network | Virtual Talks
Orca-Salmon Month webinar – “Uncovering Recovery”. It has been almost 20 years since Southern Resident orcas were listed as endangered, but their numbers are not increasing. Join us as we discuss what needs to be done differently in order to see real recovery.
Killer Whale Tales | Learn about salmon and their impact on orca!
Ever wondered what Southern Resident whale diets reveal about marine ecosystems? Join us for a fascinating online hands-on activity where you’ll step into the shoes of a marine scientist. In this interactive event, you’ll examine fish scales collected from predation events, analyzing the data to uncover crucial information about whale feeding patterns. What You’ll Do: Analyze fish scales to determine the types of fish consumed by whales. Chart and record data on the timing and locations of these feeding events. Trace the origins of the fish to their spawning streams. The session will culminate in a thought-provoking discussion on the importance of protecting the spawning habitats of salmon and their impact on marine life. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to marine science from the comfort of your home! Sign up now at Eventbrite to reserve your spot and dive into the depths of marine research!
Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group | Riparian Planting | Skagit River, South Mount Vernon | October 19
Join us for our first planting party of fall 2024! Help us celebrate Orca Recovery Day by planting trees to enhance habitat for Southern Resident Killer Whales’ favorite food: Chinook salmon.
When: October 19 from 9am-Noon at the Skagit River in South Mount Vernon.
Where: Located near the intersection of Dike and Hazel
Google Map Driving Directions from Mt Vernon: From Downtown Mount Vernon head west on W Kincaid St, toward the river, and turn south on Cleveland Ave. Continue down this road about 0.5miles and take a right (west) on W Hazel St. Follow W Hazel for about 0.3miles and as the road begins to bend left slow down and look for a ramp leading up to the dike, do not drive up, but note you will walk up this ramp to find our event. On the adjacent side of the road there is room for parking, but you may have to drive down the road and turn around.
Parking Instructions: We recommend finding a spot along a nearby street or on W Hazel St where space allows. Please be mindful when parking along W Hazel St and do not block folks’ driveways or take a home’s personal parking spot. Please carpool!
Mason Conservation District | Riparian restoration | Salish Roots Farm | October 19
Orca Recovery Day is Saturday, October 19th, at Salish Roots Farm from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join us as we plant native trees and shrubs to expand the buffer on Skookum Creek, improving the habitat for migrating salmon, the orca’s favorite food.
Jefferson County Conservation District & North Olympic Salmon Coalition | Riparian Planting | Port Townsend, WA | October 19
Come join us again in celebrating Orca Recovery Day as the Jefferson County Conservation District and the North Olympic Salmon Coalition team up for a planting event at Salmon Creek! This is important habitat for Endangered Hood Canal summer chum salmon. Recent studies have shown that when Chinook salmon, the preferred prey of Southern Resident Orcas, is in short supply, they’ll supplement their diet with other species, including chum salmon.
Thurston Conservation District | Garry Oak Maintenance | Squaxin Park | October 19
Join Thurston Conservation District and City of Olympia at Squaxin Park (Formerly Priest Point Park) for our annual Orca Recovery Day! Volunteers are invited to be a part of the solution for our endangered Southern Resident orca whales. During this restoration event, we will work together to restore forested habitats to their intended state by removing non-indigenous vegetation and planting Pacific Northwest trees and shrubs. The day will also include a guided shore walk, refreshments, and a chance to learn about other organizations helping to better our orcas! Being a part of Orca Recovery Day is an opportunity for you to make a difference for our endangered Southern Resident orca whales!
Palouse Conservation District | Riparian restoration | Paradise Creek | October 19
Join Palouse Conservation District for a volunteer planting event to celebrate Orca Recovery Day, a statewide campaign to restore vital habitat for the orca’s food source, Chinook salmon, and work to create better ocean conditions for the orcas. Far from ocean waters, surrounded by a sea of rolling hills, you can be part of the solution on Saturday, October 19th from 9am-12pm. Volunteers will be participating in a stream restoration project along a waterway in the Palouse River Watershed to address water quality issues. This is a family-friendly event. The water quality of creeks and rivers of the Palouse have a direct impact on the bodies of water downstream. Urban development, agricultural runoff, and soil erosion have changed our creeks creating degraded water conditions. Restoration efforts including planting native plants along stream banks, improves soil and water quality and creates habitat for wildlife. Site selection is currently in progress, but will be between Moscow and Pullman. The exact location will be provided to participants prior to the event.
Clallam Conservation District | Riparian restoration | Port Angeles | October 17
Join us for educational and volunteer events designed to bring awareness to the plight of the southern resident orca whale.
Pierce Conservation District | Multiple events
Urban tree planting in Orting | October 19
Join PCD’s habitat team as we celebrate Orca Recovery Day at South Prairie Creek Preserve! We will be planting a mix of trees and shrubs throughout the site to enhance salmon habitat along the creek. South Prairie Creek Preserve is one of the most productive salmon runs in the area and greatly contribute to our resident orcas primary food source.
Invasive weed removal in Puyallup | October 19
Volunteer with PCD by spending 3 hours at Bradley Lake Park in Puyallup. Activities include caring for existing plants and removing invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry and thistle. This work supports water quality, our local wildlife, and pollinators. Exact meeting location will be provided after signing up.
Trash pick-up & urban tree planting in Tacoma | October 19
Join your neighbors as we plant this depaved space in Hilltop. Volunteers depaved this area in May this year, and now we need to green it up. Come help install native and pollinator-friendly plants, meet neighbors, and make new friends!
Duwamish Alive Coalition | Trash clean-up, riparian plantings, & more | Duwamish Watershed | October 19
Join our efforts throughout the watershed and on the river removing debris, caring for vital salmon habitat and our upland forests — it’s all connected to our Puget Sound and Orcas. The Duwamish Watershed supports all 5 salmon species including the critical Chinook which Orca need to survive.
World Relief Western WA | Cover crop planting | Kent | October 19
Join us at Paradise Parking Plots Community Garden on Saturday, Oct 19th from 9am-12pm to help prepare our garden for winter! Now that the growing season has ended, our garden plots are ready to be prepped for the winter. We need your help to amend our soil with healthy compost and plant protective winter cover crop in our 50 growing beds. These actions will prevent winter erosion of our soil, capture nutrients for next season, and ensure we’re set up for a productive 2024 harvest!
Puget Soundkeeper Alliance | Kayak clean up | Ha’apus/T107 Park, Seattle | October 19
Puget Soundkeeper will be working with the River Access Paddle Program to provide several kayak cleanup opportunities during the fall Duwamish Alive! event at Ha’apus/T701 Park.
Weed Warriors Nature Stewards Program | Invasive weed removal | October 19
Volunteers welcome and needed for the demonstration rain garden restoration at the New Start community garden. Weed Warriors provide the tools and the gloves. Come and have fun celebrating Orca Recovery Day with like-minded environmentalists! 10 AM to noon. Location: 614 SW 120th St. Burien, WA
Whatcom Conservation District | Riparian restoration | Blaine | October 19
Join Whatcom Conservation District, Whatcom Land Trust, and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association for a day of Chinook salmon habitat restoration along California Creek. We’ll build upon past years’ restoration of other stretches of the creek to help the food source of our Southern Resident Orcas.
MidCoast Watersheds Council | Starr Creek Preserve, Newport | October 18
Join MidCoast Watersheds Council for a volunteer riparian planting day at Starr Creek, in support of Orca recovery. Earlier this year, Starr Creek Preserve saw a major restoration effort, with over 200 logs strategically placed in the stream and floodplain to create complex, healthy habitat for salmon. Now, we’re working to restore native vegetation to enhance these efforts and support long-term ecosystem health. All are welcome—come help us bring native plants back to this special site!
