Children ARE Our Future.... Meet Lita Howard:

When a 10-year old girl is able to show intelligence, passion, and desire for another living creature, and in this case, the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, all we can do is reward her hard work and efforts.~Meet Lita Howard~Orca Conservancy: "Hi Lita, can you tell everyone a little bit about who you are?"Lita Howard: "Sure! I’m 10 years old and a fifth grader at View Ridge Elementary.  I’m a jewelry designer and will be selling my orca necklaces on the Orca Conservancy’s website to help raise money for the organization.I first got interested in orca whales while working on a small classroom project.  I decided to do more research and ended up putting together a tri-fold educational poster that I presented to my classroom."Orca Conservancy: " You did an exceptional job on the educational poster! Can you tell us why the endangered Southern Resident killer whales matter to you?"Lita: "They’re just really cool and they’re suffering because of humans and global warming.  It’s important that we help them."Orca Conservancy: What do you want to do (be) when you grow up?"Lita: "A Marine Biologist."Orca Conservancy: After three attempts, we finally got you out there to see whales (!!!). What did you take away from this trip, and what was your most favorite moment?"Lita: "I learned about bailene whales for the first time.My favorite moment was when the orca whales came up right next to the boat.  I was able to take a photo series of one of the babies coming out of the water!"  Lita was given the opportunity to shadow a naturalist, Renee Beitzel, aboard Puget Sound Express - Seattle/Edmonds, and assist her with her presentations.A professional photographer, Janine Harles, taught her how to take nature photographs and loaned her a camera.  Lita took about 2,000 pictures!During the tour there were three humpbacks, and multiple visits of orca pods making it a truly magical day.  It was Lita’s third trip out, and I guess “three time’s the charm” because they saw endless orcas and they even surprised them by coming within 15 yards away from the fully shut down whale watch boat!Orca Conservancy realizes that this type of experience empowers kids to be the earth’s stewards.  Why? Because they learn, share, teach, and are inspired by both adults, and the orcas.Lita has expressed the desire to be a marine biologist when she grows up, and we hope that we can give her every opportunity to succeed!