After Tahlequah, a southern resident killer whale, carried her recent newborn’s dead body last month just like when she made global headlines for doing so in 2018, a big message for this year’s Ways of Whales Workshop presented by Orca Network is hope.
“We went through this tour of grief again, with Tahlequah carrying another calf that has died, and a lot of people are feeling really upset about that,” said Cindy Hansen, advocacy coordinator. “(We’re) just trying to give people a sense of hope that there are still things we can do to help these whales, and the more we all work together on that, the better chance we have of getting some things accomplished.”
The annual workshop will take place Saturday, January 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Coupeville High School’s Performing Arts Center with an option for virtual attendance.
The Ways of Whales workshop, which has recurred annually on Whidbey for about 20 years, brings together researchers, advocates, educators and whale lovers. It’s an event of presentations, a silent auction, socialization and food.
Michael Weiss, research director at the Center for Whale Research, will provide updated data and show new drone footage of southern residents.
John Calambokidis from Cascadia Research Collective will present on blue whales, especially the “52 Hertz Whale,” an individual whale of an unknown species that calls at the unusual frequency of 52 hertz.
The workshop will also host a question-and-answer session about salmon habitat restoration and how attendees can become more involved.
Presenters include Orca Network co-founders Howard Garrett and Susan Berta, Thomas Quinn on salmon behavior, Eric Crawford on the Snake River dams, Lee First on Chehalis River dam, Holly Henderson on fish passage in the Skagit and Shane Anderson on the Klamath River dam removals.
The workshop offers more than education, Hansen said.
“One of the great things about it is not just the educational content, but also the networking that takes place,” she said. “People can learn how to get involved and (have a chance to) get together and network and talk and come up with some things that they’d like to work on together.”
Along with the newest research, attendees will hear from Rosie Cayou James, a Coast Salish Elder, who will also offer a traditional Coast Salish lunch. Nateli Sanderson, a student activist and author, will talk about youth engagement.
To register, visit givebutter.com/c/jW1pNG. Registration is $40 for general admission with a discount for seniors and students. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available for those who need them. For more information, email cindy@orcanetwork.org.