Orca Conservancy's Commitment to Education: Our Endangered Southern Residents' Future Belongs to Our Youth
There is no doubt, we have seen the power of what our youth can do in the wake of the March for our Lives, and seeing up close, how exceptional they can be when they stand together for a cause. Here at Orca Conservancy, we have always believed that YES, there are things we can do today to increase the chances for our iconic orcas — but bottom line — the future of our Endangered Southern Residents lies in the hands of our youth. This year, Orca Conservancy is putting a stronger emphasis into educational programs with three strong initiatives for the upcoming year. We have collaborated with some of the top experts and organizations in the industry to bring about a new awareness for our children to live their lives being mindful of how their behaviors can affect marine life.
National Biodiversity Teach-In
Started by students for students, the National Biodiversity Teach-In is a virtual webinar where classrooms from across the world join in for special educational programs surrounding our environment and ecosystem.On February 3rd, Orca Conservancy, with our Education Director Kelly Hayward, sponsored a full day of education where over 13,000 students worldwide immersed themselves in learning about our orca’s critical habitat, and ways they can adapt their habits to make a difference in their future. Participants learned various aspects of how they can advocate for our marine life and had an opportunity to learn from some of the top experts in the USA. They included:
- Dr. Alexandra Morton: The Ugly Truth about Canada’s open-net Atlantic Salmon Farms
- Dr. David Bain: Why Endangered Killer Whales Need our Help, and What Can We Do
- Konrad Fisher: Water for Rivers, Dam Removal & Citizen Engagement
- Rick Wood: Wildlife Poaching
- Gary Sutton & Tasli Shaw: Tales of Wild Killer Whales
- Carter & Olivia Ries: OneLessStraw and Pangolin Awareness
- Dr. Deborah Giles: Southern Resident Killer Whale Research Topics and Techniques
- Lindsay Hirt: Hooray for Humpbacks
High School Education Programs 2018-2019
Orca Conservancy’s ultimate goal is to create a strong educational blueprint that can be integrated into additional schools in upcoming years. As we begin this program we are excited to announce a brand-new relationship with Nathan Hale High School, located near Lake Forest Park/Shoreline in King County. With Orca Conservancy’s Vice President, Dr. David Bain in the lead, we are now in ongoing collaboration with Nathan Hale’s co-principal, Jolene Grimes-Edwards, and various department head leaders. Our mission? To create an intensive Next Generation Learning and Study Program for Nathan Hale students. Together, we will co-design learning programs that will bring our Southern Resident Orcas, scientific research, outreach and best practices into the spotlight throughout the 2018-2019 school year.Because part of a thorough education is a sincere desire to give students an opportunity to see orcas in their native habitat, we have reached out to the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) and their U.S. President Jeff Friedman of Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching to partner with us. “We look forward to working as Orca Conservancy’s partner in this effort in creating ways to give students this opportunity and are excited to be a part of the early planning and implementation of this program”, said Friedman. “We at the PWWA agree that education is a critical piece of saving our Southern Residents.”The Nathan Hale program will be integrated through several departments and areas of learning, and will adapt to students with different learning styles, abilities, interests and strengths. This includes:
- Boater Awareness Programs: Understanding the 200-yard rule, and measuring distance
- Water Quality Testing: Understanding the quality of sound, and how toxins effect our marine life
- Restoration of Salmon and Marine Life: Education on Atlantic salmon net pens, and their harm to our ecosystem. Working towards tangible measures to restore our salmon population
- Understanding Legislative Policies and Processes: Developing knowledge of the legislative process and what steps are necessary as it moves through various stages
- Outreach: Development of posters, campaigns, media, and community involvement to encourage best practices
WE Day 2019
The WE Charity is a program that inspires youth to lift themselves up through community service and action. With hundreds of schools in Washington State, and many thousands participating nationwide, it is a year-long program throughout the school season that provides a way to earn a celebration and become inspired through a large event, including celebrities and Students can’t buy a ticket to WE Day. They have to earn it through Outreach.Orca Conservancy has been selected to collaborate with Nathan Hale students on a program that we have had on the shelf wanting to implement for quite some time. A program called OrcaStars; that acknowledges local businesses that utilize best practices in their day to day operations, or “orca friendly” standards.Nathan Hale students will work with Dr. Bain to come up with established criteria to meet these standards, depending on the category and type of business. Students will provide outreach, education, canvassing and work with established businesses in their community. Once businesses are enrolled in the program, they will be commemorated through various ways and receive an “OrcaStar” certificate to hang in their establishment.Nathan Hale students will be presenting this program to over 15,000 students who attend the big WE Day event in Key Arena in 2019, providing a great way for them to bring awareness throughout Greater Puget Sound.This year our Educational Programs are truly an “all hands-on-deck” priority for us, for the students, the community and our Board of Directors. There has never a better time to volunteer to get involved for all who are interested! There are many ways that you can contribute to these programs. We look forward working in collaboration with the North King County area, businesses, students, and organizations like the Pacific Whale Watch Association, to create a blueprint of success moving forward.Take action and get involved in this program! Volunteer for Orca Conservancy’s educational activities by contacting us at: OrcaConservancy@gmail.com.