Kitsap County Parks, the Kitsap Conservation District and partner organizations will host eight COVID-safe events as part of Orca Recovery Day, aimed at improving conditions for critically endangered southern resident orca whales and their main food source, salmon. Volunteers are invited to participate in stewardship action events on Oct. 9, 16 and 23 throughout the county.
The future of the three junior Orcas swimming the Puget Sound depends on healthy habitat, a sustained food source of salmon, and community care and stewardship of watersheds where their food sources come from. Orca Recovery Day (Oct 16) engages people in actions targeted at helping endangered local salmon and orcas.
Only 75 southern resident orca whales are left in the wild. It is our collective impacts on the environment that led to this crisis and our collective action is critical to recovery, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Providing clean waterways that support fish health and improved water quality helps make quality of life better for everyone.
Kitsap County Orca Recovery Day Events
- Kitsap County Parks: North Kitsap Heritage Park, 9 a.m. Oct. 9, Kingston. Meet at Miller Bay Road parking area. Bring sturdy shoes, gloves, pruning tools and water. Register here.
- Kitsap County Parks: Banner Forest Heritage Park, 9 a.m. Oct. 9, Port Orchard. Arrive at Banner Road parking area. Bring sturdy shoes, gloves, pruning tools and water. Group will be removing invasive plants. Register here.
- Kitsap County Parks: Newberry Hill Heritage Park, 10 a.m., Oct. 16, Silverdale. Arrive at Newberry Hill parking area at Klahowya Secondary School (park near kiosk). Bring sturdy shoes, gloves, pruning tools and water. Group will be removing invasive plant species. Register here.
- Kitsap County Parks: Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park, 9 a.m., Oct. 16, Port Gamble. Arrive at Port Gamble Bayview parking area. Bring sturdy shoes, gloves, pruning tool and water. Group will be removing invasive plant species. Register here.
- Kitsap Conservation District: Carpenter Creek Estuary restoration, 9 a.m., Oct. 16, Kingston. Bring weather-appropriate clothing, waterproof boots or shoes, snacks and water. Hand sanitizer, masks and sanitary gloves will be available. Register here.
- Shore Friendly Kitsap: Harper Park marine nearshore restoration, 10 a.m., Oct. 16, Port Orchard. Learn more and register here.
- Great Peninsula Conservancy: Klingel-Bryan-Beard Wildlife Refuge, 9 a.m., Oct. 16, Belfair (Mason County). Learn more and register here.
- Kitsap County Parks: Veterans Memorial Park, 9 a.m., Oct. 23, Port Orchard. Group will be removing large volumes of litter from the park. Bring gloves, sturdy shoes and water. Register here.
Find out more about Orca Recovery Day 2021 and ways to protect and improve orca and salmon habitat at BetterGround.org/ORD.
For details on Kitsap events listed above contact Jesse Adams, Kitsap County Orca Recovery Day coordinator of the Kitsap County Conservation District, 360-204-5529 ext. 128 or j-adams@kitsapcd.org.
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