Get Involved

Everyone can help with salmon recovery. Together we have the power to protect Washington salmon for our economy, our culture and, most importantly, our kids.

Become a salmon warrior.

Celebrated in June, this month features a broad range of activities to celebrate orcas and an opportunity to reflect on the plight of these fragile creatures.

Watch this website for event details.

Sponsored by the Puget Sound conservation districts, this statewide event in the fall mobilizes dozens of organizations and thousands of people to engage in hands-on activities to restore habitat for orca recovery.

Watch this website for event details.

All mariners and members of the public are encouraged to report whale sightings as soon as possible through the WhaleReport app (available on Apple or Google devices).

Photograph by Paul Cottrel, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

If you spot an orca or other marine mammal on shore that is unable to return to the water under its own power, report the stranding to the West Coast Region stranding hotline: 1-866-767-6114.

Learn more at the West Coast Marine Stranding Network.

Find a volunteer opportunity on the Web site podmatch.com

The fisheries enhancement groups create partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies; tribes; local businesses; community members; and landowners. Volunteers can learn about salmon habitat, plant trees, count returning salmon, perform habitat assessments, conduct water quality monitoring, teach others about salmon habitat, and much more.

Find opportunities in your community to see how you might volunteer to help increase salmon populations, the orcas’ main source of food.

Photograph by Norbert Woloszyn

Visit the State of Salmon in Watersheds Web site to learn more about what you can do as an individual to improve salmon habitat.

Join the movement to protect Washington’s salmon. We can envision salmon populations that coexist with a growing population of people. To realize this future, we can make small changes every day to support salmon in our community. What is good for salmon ultimately will benefit every living thing in this special place we share. We can’t imagine a Washington without salmon. Can you? Become a salmon steward.

The pledge has 10 simple steps you can take to help protect our waters. Check off the items you can do on this Washington Department of Ecology pledge.

From taking care of your yard in an environmentally friendly way, to picking up your dog’s poop, the Washington State Department of Ecology provides a list of things you can do easily in your own neighborhood to help protect the environment the orcas need.

Be Whale Wise provides information about the marine mammal laws and guidance to help you boat more safely and take care of our natural resources. Understand the different laws in the United States and Canada.

Photograph by Jeanne Hyde

The flag warns boaters when whales are near so they can slow down, be prepared to change course, and follow Be Whale Wise guidelines. Read more about the Whale Warning Flag Program.

Studies show that getting closer than a half nautical mile (1,000 yards) to endangered Southern Residents disturbs these vulnerable animals, interrupting their ability to find food, rest, and tend their young. Give Them Space and take a voluntary pledge to not get close to J, K and L pods in the Salish Sea. Give them Space is a joint initiative led by The Whale Trail, Seattle Aquarium, Washington Environmental Council, Center for Biological Diversity, and Friends of the San Juans.

The Soundwatch Boater Education Program is aimed at preventing boats from disturbing orcas and other marine wildlife in the central Salish Sea.

Oil spills are toxic and can cause both acute and chronic health problems to whales. The Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program works with stakeholders, communities, and tribes to create programs that decrease the effect of potential oil spills on endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Vessels of Opportunity may be local commercial or recreational vessels identified to help respond to large oil spills in Washington, a rare but potentially devastating occurrence. Vessel owners who volunteer will supplement the system of organized, professional spill responders already in place throughout the state.