Submitted by San Juan Island Conservation District

San Juan Island Conservation District, in partnership with San Juan County Land Bank, are joining conservation districts and partner organizations across the Pacific Northwest on Oct. 16 for Orca Recovery Day. This day of action is aimed at improving conditions for critically endangered Southern Resident Orca Whales where organizations across the Pacific Northwest will host outdoor activities enabling people to take action.

What: The San Juan Islands Conservation District and San Juan County Land Bank will be holding a volunteer planting event on Turtleback Mountain Preserve on Orcas Island and a virtual speaker series highlighting local orca, eelgrass, and salmon recovery efforts via Zoom.

Why: How does planting trees and listening to a speaker series help our Southern Resident orcas? Although this event seeks to raise awareness about this incredible endangered species, it also highlights the critical ecological connections between land and sea and the importance of supporting natural systems.

When: Virtual Speaker series, Oct. 12-14, every evening at 5:30 p.m. Orca Recovery Day Planting event, Saturday, Oct. 16. Event details and volunteer registration can be found at https://www.sanjuanislandscd.org/ord2021

Who: This is a family-friendly event designed for anyone to volunteer and learn in their local community.

State and county COVID-19 safety protocols are in place. For more information: Event details, volunteer & speaker series registration, and more information can be found at https://www.sanjuanislandscd.org/ord2021.

Orca Recovery Day is sponsored by Puget Sound Energy, Promise the Pod, One Tree Planted, and the Puget Sound Conservation District Caucus.