Better Ground

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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. 

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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

Learn more

Whale Scout | Riparian restoration | Former Wayne Golf Course | October 19

Join Whale Scout to restore salmon habitat along the Sammamish River in Bothell.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

Whale Scout | Riparian restoration | Former Wayne Golf Course | October 19

Join Whale Scout to restore salmon habitat along the Sammamish River in Bothell.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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. 

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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!

Learn more