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Winter hours:

Saturday and Sunday 10:00-4:00

185 S. First St. Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

CWR is currently recruiting VOLUNTEERS for the 2019 season

Email us for an application:
  • If you live on or near San Juan Island
  • Have good knowledge of Southern Resident orcas
  • Enjoy talking with people
Please consider becoming a VOLUNTEER!​

Southern Resident orcas are critically endangered with only 75 whales in the population. The Center for Whale Research and our supporters need to speak out with a louder voice now than ever before on behalf of the whales.   

 

To address the need for effective public outreach the Center for Whale Research has opened the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, Washington.  

 

The mission of the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center is to educate and give back to the public the information and knowledge that we, and our colleagues, have gathered during 40+ years of research of killer whales (orcas) in the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands.

 

In order for the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center to be successful, we need YOUR help! The Center for Whale Research is currently recruiting volunteers for the 2019 season to help us spread the word regarding the plight of Southern Resident killer whales. We are excited to bring people and orcas face to face in new and innovative ways, including big screen video footage of the whales in the wild as experienced from our research boats and many fun and educational displays. Our trained CWR staff and volunteers will engage with visitors and answer questions regarding these beloved whales. We will also be recruiting supporters for our membership program.

If you live on or near San Juan Island, have good knowledge of Southern Resident orcas, and enjoy talking with people, please consider becoming a volunteer at the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center!

 

You can email us at volunteer@whaleresearch.com and we will forward you a volunteer application. All ages are welcome and volunteer training sessions will be held in the Spring (date(s) to be determined)!

 

Thank you for your support!

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Merci beaucoup pour le soutien de la France!

YouTube producers Morgane (Little Gypsy) and Lea presented Ken Balcomb and the Center For Whale Research with a donation as a result of their successful #WeAreTheOrca crowdfunding campaign in France. The funds raised for CWR will go directly towards continued research. We are extremely grateful to Morgane, Lea and all of their supporters in France that care about helping the endangered resident whales. Merci!​ See YouTube video

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The #WeAreTheOrca team from France launched a new bracelet today to raise awareness and funds for the Center for Whale Research, as well as two other regional organizations supporting the Southern Resident Killer Whales and Chinook Salmon.

 

With the sale of each bracelet, #WeAreTheOrca donates 3 euros (approx. $3.40 US) to CWR for continued research on the Southern Resident Killer Whales, as well as 3 euros each to Alexandra Morten project and The Whale Museum. The bracelets are made in France with sustainable products by people with disabilities.

 

Here is the link to order: 

#wearetheorca

The Center For Whale Research team members are proudly wearing their bracelets. As Morgane Trussardi, founder of #wearetheorca stated, “We will all be linked ❤️”

It was a fun and educational weekend at the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center!
October 20, 2018

Girl Scout Troops from Bellevue/Eastside, along with their families, visited San Juan Island to learn more about Southern Resident Killer Whales and ways that they can help the endangered orcas. Katie Jones, Outreach & Education Manager presented the group with fascinating information which was well received triggering engaging questions, responses, and brainstorming by troop members ages 6 -12. The troops then participated in hands on activities with staff and volunteers, learning more about salmon, orcas, and the Salish Sea. We are very proud of these young ambassadors that are so eager to help improve conditions for Southern Resident Whales. Thank you for your dedication.

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It was a great evening. Thank you, Astrid, for sharing your wonderful stories.

Dr. Astrid van Ginneken has worked with the Center for Whale Research since 1987. She is co-principle investigator for CWR's Orca Survey and has published both scientific and popular articles in addition to a book about killer whales. Astrid has great enthusiasm for Southern Resident orcas and her stories about these wonderful creatures are beautifully told.

A few images from our recent Grand Opening, August 21, 2018.

Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center

We are very excited to announce the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center is officially open! 

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185 S. First St., Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

The mission of the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center is to educate and give back to the public the information and knowledge that we, and our colleagues, have gathered during 42 years of research of killer whales (orcas) in the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands.

Our Southern Resident orca population is at an all-time low of 75 whales. The Center for Whale Research and our supporters need to speak out with a louder voice now than ever before on behalf of the whales.   

 

To address the need for effective public outreach the Center for Whale Research is VERY excited to announce that we have opened Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island.  

 

The mission of the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center is to educate and give back to the public the information and knowledge that we, and our colleagues, have gathered during 42 years of research of killer whales (orcas) in the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands.

 

We are excited to bring people and orcas face to face in new and innovative ways, including big screen video footage of the whales in the wild as experienced from our research boats and many fun and educational displays. Our trained CWR staff and volunteers will engage with visitors and answer questions regarding our beloved local whales. 

 

We will encourage our visitors to learn as much as they can and to join us in speaking out on behalf of the whales. We will continue to emphasize the fact that the only way to ensure a future for the Southern Resident orcas is to secure a healthy, abundant, and sustainable source of their primary food: Chinook salmon. Quantity and quality of food will be a critical component in our communication efforts and our face-to-face discussions at the new Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center.  

 

The information that we provide at the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center is free to the public. We very much appreciate your considering becoming a member of our non-profit organization, to help spread the truth about what is needed for the orcas to survive. Stay tuned here and on our social media pages as we develop this new space and share photos of our progress. As always your support of these efforts is much appreciated.

 

Together we will do all that we can to help the Southern Resident orca community survive. 

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