People For Puget Sound

“Boaters have a unique opportunity to play a role in the southern residents’ recovery, simply by avoiding them while at sea and making it easier for the whales to find and catch their prey,” said Washington Conservation Action's Puget Sound Campaign Senior Manager, Rein Attemann.

Last year, the 2023 WA Legislature passed a law requiring recreational boaters in Washington to stay 1,000 yards back from the fish-eating southern residents. This law remains critical in maintaining and restoring the health of salmon runs and whales. Researchers predict that the population will go extinct without significant changes — such as increasing their food supply and enhancing their hunting success.

Make sure to stay 1,000 yards back when you're on a boat!

Recreational boaters play an important role in protecting endangered killer whales, officials say – Puget Sound Institute Endangered species k C E Recreational boaters play an important role in protecting endangered killer whales, officials say By Christopher DunaganPublished June 26, 2024 No Comments Noise and disturbance from boats can disrupt the normal hunting behaviors of killer whales, according to marine mammal....

Last week, the White House released the Tribal Circumstances Analysis, which addresses the many disparities and inequities placed on Tribal Nations in the Columbia Basin by implementation of dams throughout the region.

We would like to commend the Department of Interior for the completion of this critical report in such a timely fashion. The Columbia/Snake River Coalition supports the comments and sentiments of the Columbia Basin Tribes.

Please join us in showing your support for the Columbia Basin Tribes!

Nez Perce Tribe press release: https://bit.ly/NPTribalCircumstancesAnalysis
White House press release https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-releases-report-highlighting-historic-and-ongoing

Biden-Harris Administration Releases Report Highlighting Historic and Ongoing Negative Impacts of Federal Columbia River Dams on Tribal Communities | U.S. Department of the Interior As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s unprecedented agreement to restore wild salmon in the Columbia River Basin, the Department of the Interior today released a report documenting the historic, ongoing and cumulative impacts of federal Columbia River dams on Columbia River Basin Tribes.

For decades, the US Army Corp of Engineers used Bradford Island, part of the Bonneville dam complex, as a toxic dumping ground.

Because of this, resident fish in that area have the highest cancer-causing PCB contamination levels in the United States, making them too toxic to eat.

ACT NOW: Sign the petition to support the immediate and thorough cleanup of the Bradford Island Superfund Site: https://www.columbiariverkeeper.org/take-action/bradford-island

Take action to hold oil companies accountable now: https://wagreen.p2a.co/efpai2j

Overhaul WA laws so oil companies pay for spills | Op-Ed Proposed state regulations around who pays for oil spills are based on old data and need an overhaul to protect our waters.

📣 The Biden Administration is leaning in on Northwest salmon recovery in an unprecedented way!

The recent Presidential Memorandum, which directs federal agencies to take the necessary action to restore wild salmon and steelhead to healthy and abundant populations, is a critical step to securing a comprehensive solution for salmon recovery.

Learn more: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/27/fact-sheet-president-biden-takes-action-to-restore-healthy-and-abundant-wild-salmon-and-steelhead-in-the-columbia-river-basin/

Mark your calendars for two exciting events coming this fall!

We invite you for two evenings of Salish Sea trivia, conservation advocacy, and beer happening on Sept 27 and Oct 17. Both events are promoting the We Are Puget Sound campaign and book, which includes an educational exhibit now open at the Burke Museum.

Check out the poster below for details.

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August 18, 2023 WS Report: Tokitae has passed away; Js, Ks, & Ls off the west side of San Juan Island; T parties in the SJIs; T18s pursue a minke!; Plenty of humpbacks still around!; August 18, 2023 PHOTO OF THE DAY August 17 - A member of the L12s, Tokitae's family, passing by Lime Kiln State Park at sunset on the night before Tokitae passed away. photo by Rachel Haight, August 1

A breathtaking whale sighting is something us orca and whale lovers want to experience someday. But how can we have a moment with the whales without harming these majestic creatures and the environment?

Check out this column by the Seattle Times featuring Donna Sandstrom, founder and director of the Whale Trail detailing how you can whale watch responsibly on land or on boat!

Where to whale watch in Puget Sound Can you watch whales without disrupting them? Here’s what experts recommend for whale watching on land or by sea.

Send your comment by August 11! https://wagreen.p2a.co/gsq97vz

Action Alert ⚡️Tell EPA: Protect the health of the Duwamish River and the communities that depend on it!

Send your comment with one click here: https://wagreen.p2a.co/gsq97vz

The Columbia and Snake rivers were once the largest salmon-producing river system in the contiguous United States, but today these populations are on the brink of extinction.

ACT NOW: https://wagreen.p2a.co/9wcnjmg

Urge your Washington and Oregon Senators to support a comprehensive solution that will restore healthy and abundant salmon in the Columbia and Snake Rivers, fulfill treaty responsibilities to Northwest Tribes, and ensure a successful transition to a strong and robust future that works for all.

With numerous orcas in late-stage pregnancies this summer, a new emergency rule provides the vulnerable whales with extra space and further protection.

If you're on a boat this summer, help us ensure healthy and thriving conditions for the orcas -- especially the mommies and newborns!

For your next party trick!

So exciting! Join us next Thursday!

Cheers to Salmon-Safe beer!

WCA in partnership with Braided River, Washington Wild, Burke Museum, Yakima Chief Hops, and Salmon Safe Certified invites you to raise a glass of We Are Puget Sound Hazy Pale Ale with us at Lucky Envelope Brewing on June 15 in celebration of an awesome beer collaboration!

You don't want to miss this if you are in the area!

Mark your calendars for this upcoming event!

Join us on June 14 or 22 for a webinar on how can boaters champion orca recovery! With recently passed legislation, boaters are now required to give orcas more space! Tune into this webinar to learn more about how you can support orca recovery and specific actions boaters can take on the water to help. More info and register: https://www.orcamonth.com/event

Orca Action Month is here!

See you at the kick-off party happening June 4! orcamonth.com

We could not have achieved this win without your support and activism! 🥰

Orca Action Month is coming up in June. There will be events and more opportunities to take action for orcas next month: orcamonth.com!

The We Are Puget Sound exhibit is back in town! Now at the Burke Museum 🌸

Mark your calendars and get your tickets soon!

We Are Puget Sound at Burke Museum in Seattle, WA - Tuesdays–Sundays, from June 3–December 31 - EverOut Seattle The Burke Museum is excited to announce its latest special exhibit We Are Puget Sound, opening to the public Saturday, June 3. Visitors will experience the wonder of Puget Sound through the unique wildlife and living cultures that call the Salish Sea home. From Southern resident orcas and Chino...

Today is Endangered Species Day, a day where people around the globe participate in celebrating, learning about, and taking action to protect threatened and endangered species. This global day of action and celebration was created and founded by David Robinson and the Endangered Species Coalition in 2006, and has continued ever since.

Along with the 18th annual Endangered Species Day, 2023 also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. This act is a landmark piece of legislation that institutionalized our national commitment to the conservation of fish, plants and wildlife and the places they call home.

As of 2023, there are currently 73 Southern Resident orcas left in the Pacific Northwest, who face challenges from reduced Chinook salmon numbers, pollutants in the water, higher risk for oil spills, and noise and disturbance. In order to help save the Southern Resident orcas, Orca Month has created a ‘Take Action’ page on our website, where you can get involved in orca recovery efforts, during Orca Action Month and throughout the year!

Artwork by Sara Hysong-Shimazu.

June is Orca Action Month!

Save the date for the kickoff event on June 4! Join us for an in-person event near you or virtually!

Check out the schedule and activities happening throughout the month: https://www.orcamonth.com/

ICYMI: The legislature passed SB5371, a bill to give orcas more space (1,000 yards to be exact) from boaters!

This is a huge win for the orcas and a significant progress to restoring endangered species in Washington. Thank you to everyone who took action to make this happen!

To protect orcas, boats in Puget Sound must stay 1,000 yards away SB 5371 expands the buffer zone for endangered southern resident killer whales, who depend on sonar to hunt and communicate in the Salish Sea.

It’s time to hold the Biden Administration accountable to developing a comprehensive strategy that recovers endangered salmon and orca populations, upholds their legal obligations to Northwest tribes, removes the four lower Snake River dams, and invests in clean energy and transportation alternatives.

Show your support! REGISTER TODAY using the link provided below and include "Stop Salmon Extinction" as your affiliation and show where you stand. https://bit.ly/3YLFSmx

ACTION ALERT: ESSB 5371 is a bill that will increase protections around Southern Resident Killer Whales. We need your Reps to vote YES to move this bill forward.

Urge your lawmakers support now >>> https://wagreen.p2a.co/9HpoFin

📣ACTION ALERT: Washington State residents, your state legislators need to hear from you on behalf of endangered Snake River salmon and steelhead! 🐟

This legislative session, WA State can make investments that:
✅ Lead efforts to recover endangered salmon and steelhead
✅Honor promises to Tribal Nations
✅ Modernize transportation, irrigation, and clean energy infrastructure
✅ Address decades-long salmon recovery litigation
✅ Feed endangered orcas
✅Enhance economic opportunities for every corner of our state.

🚨Time is running out for endangered salmon🚨Sign the petition urging WA State legislators to and support critical investments to our region: https://p2a.co/aNQSqvf

Sign Today: Petition to Washington State Legislators—Take Action to Stop Salmon Extinction Enter your information to take action now!

📣ACTION ALERT: Washington State residents, your state legislators need to hear from you on behalf of endangered Snake River salmon and steelhead! 🐟

This legislative session, WA State can make investments that:
✅ Lead efforts to recover endangered salmon and steelhead
✅Honor promises to Tribal Nations
✅ Modernize transportation, irrigation, and clean energy infrastructure
✅ Address decades-long salmon recovery litigation
✅ Feed endangered orcas
✅Enhance economic opportunities for every corner of our state.

🚨Time is running out for endangered salmon🚨Sign the petition urging WA State legislators to and support critical investments to our region: https://p2a.co/aNQSqvf

The Elwha River and its salmon are healing at incredible rates now that they run free again. Now, four dams on the Klamath River are set to be removed.

Learn more about this growing movement by saving the date for a virtual screening and panel discussion of “Our Sacred Obligation” by on Feb. 23, 6:30-8 PM PT.

RSVP now! >>> https://bit.ly/3K4PUf2

UPDATE: SB5371 passed the committee last night and is now moving forward! Thank you for your support and stay tuned for more updates

Legislators have the opportunity to right-size funding for salmon restoration efforts this legislative session.

They need to hear from you on how important salmon restoration is to:
✅Protect our Northwest identity
✅Ensure our orcas thrive
✅Uphold tribal sovereignty
✅Ensure resources for future generations

Send an email now >> https://wagreen.p2a.co/jUng5mj 💪

Our orcas need more space!

SB 5371 is a bill that establishes a 1,000-yard buffer for Southern Resident Killer Whales for all boaters, giving them more space to live and thrive.

Sign-in PRO for SB 5371 here: tinyurl.com/sb5371