Submitted by Orca Network
Orca Network’s annual Ways of Whales Workshop will take place Saturday, Jan. 20, from 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., at Coupeville High School’s Performing Arts Center on Whidbey Island with an option for virtual attendance.
This year’s workshop features a dynamic program of speakers from all aspects of whale research and advocacy. Orca Network’s Co-founder and Board President Howard Garrett will debut Toki’s Legacy, a partnership between the many different groups who worked for decades to return the captive orca Tokitae/Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut/Lolita to her home waters, before her tragic death last August.
“Tokitae – Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut – showed the world the strength of her courage, and the kindness of her empathy. Under the guise of a well-trained performer, she was always a member of her family: J, K, and L pods of the Southern Resident orcas,” said Garrett.
Toki’s Legacy seeks to generate awareness and foster action on behalf of Tokitae/Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s family to restore the habitats they rely upon to survive, as well as promoting benign research to further understand the highly evolved intelligence, family relationships, cultural traditions, and communicative capabilities of Orcinus orca.
And speaking of whales’ communicative capabilities, Dr. Fred Sharpe of The Templeton WhaleSETI Team will give a presentation about “Humpback Whales and the Search for Life in the Universe,” outlining his efforts to communicate with whales as a model for contact with extra terrestrial intelligence, and a breakthrough encounter with a humpback whale called Twain.
Jared Towers, joining remotely from Vancouver Island, will present about Biggs’ Orcas, the marine mammal-eating population that has become increasingly common in the waters of the Salish Sea in recent years. His presentation will cover the transition from film to artificial intelligence in tracking Bigg’s killer whales, highlight recent trends in their population, and showcase emerging behaviors and rescue operations.
An expert panel examining the complexities of recovering Pacific salmon populations to support the critically endangered Southern Resident Orca Population rounds out the program, with Brad Hanson of NOAA, Darren Croft with the Center for Whale Research, Tara Galuska, Washington Orca Recovery Coordinator; and Kayeloni Scott of the Nez Perce Tribe & American Rivers.
The Ways of Whales workshop brings together researchers, advocates, educators and whale lovers for continuing education and networking. In addition to fascinating presentations by experts in their field, the day offers our popular silent auction, an opportunity to socialize with fellow whale enthusiasts, and the chance to visit the Learning Lobby and learn about the great work being done by Orca Network’s Pod Partners.
Find more information and register at https://orcanetwork.regfox.com/ways-of-whales-2024
Registration is $40 general admission, $30 seniors and students. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available for those who need them. Teacher clock hours are also available through the Heritage Institute (https://www.hol.edu/). Please email cindy@orcanetwork.org for more information.
Please contact Orca Network with any questions at cindy@orcanetwork.org or 360 223-5666.
