CONNECT AND PROTECT – OCEAN TOOLKIT
June 5
SALISH SEA ORCAS
It’s been really inspiring to connect with so many people and organizations, working hard to protect Howe Sound and The Salish Sea.
This openness in sharing resources, ideas and passion for our Oceans has been truly incredible.
And what better time, than now, to all step forward and speak up for a threatened and iconic species.
FOR THE 72 SALISH SEA ORCAS, LEFT ON OUR PLANET.
We all share a responsibility, to protect them.
Their home is in these waterways.
They belong here. Not in the pages of history books.
Norm Hann pictured, P: Kelsey Thompson
Oceans of Gratitude to all, who are raising awareness and fighting the good fight, to protect.
Thanks to each of you, for being here, tuning in, and taking action, at home and in your classroom.
A HUGE and special thanks to Kirsten Mathison, of Georgia Strait Alliance for collating and sharing this plethora of Orca Friday knowledge for our Squamish Wave of Change.
Please take the opportunity to delve deeper in learning about them, and about ways to help protect these magical beings of the Salish Sea.
The content is inspiring, empowering and easy to access and understand for all ages.
Seas the Day – Happy Orca Friday!
Minna
Georgia Strait Alliance is an organization, working hard to care for our Coastal Waters.
“Southern Resident orcas are a symbol of everything we value about this region – their beauty, power and fragility are the inspiration for our desire to protect this beautiful inland sea.”
Georgia Strait Alliance
ORCA FRIDAY!
Hosted By Georgia Strait Alliance
www.georgiastrait.org
WELCOME – INSPIRE & EMPOWER
KIRSTEN MATHISON
https://georgiastrait.org/kirsten-mathison/
EXPERT INFORMATION
Podcasts below - mature content
WHALE SCOUT
A series of podcasts to explore: https://www.whalescout.org/podcasts
KURT RUSSO on the People Under the Sea (ENCORE/127)
(Be sure to read the page too – this one is heart wrenching)
For the Wild Podcast: The People Under the Sea (1:01:19)
OCEAN INSPIRATION
VIDEO (11:46)
Protect the Orca: A Story About Whales, Fish, & Trees | One Tree Planted (FULL FILM)
Full Film - 75. A Story About Whales, Fish, and Trees. The endangered Orcas of the Pacific Northwest rely on the West Coast Chinook salmon for food. However, salmon stocks are diminishing due to loss of habitat and increasing pollution - ultimately impacting the Orca. Interestingly, reforestation is one of the best ways to help restore salmon habitats. Trees help reduce runoff into the rivers, cool water temperatures, and add beneficial woody debris to the water that help salmon develop, ultimately increasing food supply for Orca whales.
RECOMMENDED READING
Orcas of the Pacific Northwest
“Orcas have been a symbol of the West Coast for many thousands of years. They are an important part of the culture of many Indigenous peoples, belief systems, symbolism, art and storytelling.
The orca is a symbol often centered around luck, compassion and family. Orcas are known to some Indigenous communities as the guardians of the sea. To some people, orcas represent the strength of love and the bonds of family because of their strong group behaviour.”
Georgia Strait Alliance
Threats to the Southern Resident Orcas
“As of May 2020, the Southern Resident population numbers only 72 individuals. Extensive research shows that the population is at high risk of extinction if immediate actions are not taken to address the threats that face them.”
WOW! Check these out.
Everyday Actions to Protect Southern Resident Orcas
There are 77 here – which ones will you take?
Live Orca Story time with Orca Month: 11am
Friday June 5th, 11-11:30 am
https://www.facebook.com/events/2667474090198455
It’s Orca Story Time! Get the kids and join us online for our Orca Month Orca Story Time Series!
Listen and watch as members of the Orca Salmon Alliance read aloud kids books that involve or relate to the orcas each Friday at 11am. Also a little fishy told us Dana Lyons will be joining us to sing a few family friendly kids songs about the orcas after Story Time. It's a "swell" time for the whole family! :)
ACTIVITIES
Many more activities on the Orca Month website
“On this page you will find some fun educational resources for all ages to enjoy. We will continue to update the page with more resources so please keep checking back! Also be sure to stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram accounts for daily orca updates, fun videos, photos, and resources.”
(And when Georgia Strait Alliance says ‘many’, they are talking Orca’tastic . . . Check out the activities)
Raising awareness & celebrating the Orcas of the Salish sea
MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
https://georgiastrait.org/a-rare-chance-for-a-healthier-salish-sea/
Demand tertiary treatment at the Iona Wastewater Plant and reduce contaminants in the Salish Sea that harm orcas!
Tell the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson that the $2-billion Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project in Delta, B.C. is too detrimental to Southern Resident orcas and too disruptive to the migration patterns of Chinook salmon.
AMAZING AND THANK YOU GEORGIA STRAIT ALLIANCE!
CELEBRATE!
ORCA BINGO (June 1st – 25th)
Orca Action Month Bingo - pdf
Let’s all join together in learning, celebration and protection –
This Orca Friday
Orca Month
And for Many Orcas to Come. . .
Here in Squamish, we celebrated with gratitude as My Sea to Sky, gathered us together, to form a beautiful Orca and Ocean Waves.
My Sea to Sky, #OrcaCelebration (1:13)
WOW!!!
What a Week. . .
MONDAY JUNE 8TH–
JOIN THIS SQUAMISH WAVE OF CHANGE
FOR A GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF WORLD OCEANS DAY!
Remember, to get into the Groove.
Keep working on your Playlist.
Ask your friends to share some tunes.
And then on Monday, Bust a Move. . .
Bobs & LoLo - Ocean Blue
Powerful Video – Watch to the End
Amongst the Waves - Backspacer - Pearl Jam
PS.
REALLY CONNECT TO THE OCEAN – AND STEP OUTSIDE WHEREVER YOU ARE.
PLEASE STEP OUT IN AIR.
IT NEEDN'T BE FAR.
BUT YOU MUST TAKE GOOD CARE.
CHECK OUT THE SUN. SPLASH IN THE RAIN.
BE SURE TO REPEAT, AGAIN AND AGAIN.
If you can visit a river or a stream, that is fab.
Look all around, and see what is rad.
If the ocean does call, and you really can go.
Please go there and breathe.
Saltwater For the Soul.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, IN A SQUAMISH WAVE OF CHANGE.
SEE YOU ON MONDAY, FOR WORLD OCEANS DAY – 2020
PLEASE JOIN US IN DIVING DEEPER
You are invited to a Zoom webinar hosted by Jackie Hildering.
When: Jun 8, 2020 09:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Ocean Wonders
Moderated by Ruth Simons (Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative) and Bridget John (Howe Sound Átl'ka7tsem Marine Reference Guide)