The second annual Orca Recovery Day will be observed on Saturday, October 19, with more than 70 conservation events scheduled to take place across the region.
The events, hosted by local conservation districts in Washington, British Columbia, Oregon and Northern California, are intended to restore habitat, reduce stormwater pollution and educate the public about things everyone can do to help improve conditions for the endangered southern resident orca population.
“Our goal for 2019 was to double the number of events and volunteers engaged from 2018,” said Ryan Mello, executive director of the Pierce Conservation District. “Now with over 70 events, we’ve nearly quadrupled the participation from last year, growing it from a Puget Sound event to a Pacific Northwest-wide phenomenon.”
For this year’s Orca Recovery Day, one event is scheduled to take place in Whatcom County: a native planting event along the lower Nooksack River to restore floodplain habitat to benefit Chinook and other salmon. Chinook salmon are the southern resident orcas’ primary food source.
Hosted by the Whatcom Conservation District, the event will take place from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, October 19. Those who wish to attend the event are instructed to park at Northwest Indian College, 2522 Kwina Road, Bellingham where a shuttle will transport them to the river.
The goal is to plant more than 600 plants including deciduous trees, shrubs and evergreens. “We will provide water, snacks, warm drinks, shovels, gloves and everything else to do the actual work,” said Aneka Sweeney, education and outreach coordinator with the Whatcom Conservation District. “Just remember to wear sturdy shoes and bring rain gear.”
For more information about this event and others in the region, visit betterground.org/ORD.
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