Action, Hope, and The Next Generation – Orca Recovery Day 2026

Eight years ago, a mother orca (J35) shared her grief with the world, carrying her dead calf for 17 days. As people asked, “What can we do?” Conservation Districts across the Salish Sea organized Orca Recovery Day as a collective day of action to support our Endangered Southern Resident orcas and spread awareness of the challenges they face. Their decline is due to a lack of their primary prey (Chinook salmon), vessel noise that impacts their ability to catch Chinook, and pollutants that impact their ability to give birth. The impacts of these pollutants are exacerbated by a lack of food.

In Whatcom County alone, 127 people joined Whatcom CD, Whatcom Land Trust (WLT), and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) to plant 601 plants and remove 5 cubic yards of invasive blackberries as a part of the 8^th Annual Orca Recovery Day. Kenney Creek, the site of this year’s Whatcom Orca Recovery Day restoration, is home to Spring Chinook, coho, steelhead, and pink salmon. This specific site is in view of the confluence of Kenney Creek and the North Fork Nooksack River, home to all five Pacific salmon species. This year’s planting site had extra significance to many of the staff and volunteers who came to Orca Recovery Day. It is directly across the creek from last year’s Orca Recovery Day planting, is adjacent to a recently completed fish passage barrier removal project, an in-stream restoration project, and used to belong to the family of Whatcom CD’s recently retired, salmon habitat restoration manager. The houses that stood on both sides of the creek were removed only a week prior to the planting. Family members stopped by and expressed their gratitude for the care and restoration happening to the land that is so special to their family. After volunteers planted all the available trees, volunteers were able to walk the stream with representatives from the different partnering agencies to see the previous plantings, invasive species removal, in-stream restoration, and fish passage barrier removal work that make up the larger story of restoration at Kenney Creek.

Today, a new, healthy calf swims at J35’s side, potentially born on the day of action inspired by her mourning. These volunteers and the volunteers at over 35 events across the Salish Sea all play a small part in making that possible. As of 2025, 11,528 volunteers participated at 334 Orca Recovery Day events planting 54,706 Native Trees and Shrubs and restoring 134 acres of critical habitat.

Our staff walked away from Orca Recovery Day with feelings of hope and empowerment, especially with the announcement of J35’s newest calf. Restoring habitat is one way we can leave our community a little better than when we found it. Everything that happens upstream impacts those further down. Our actions are part of supporting a new generation of orcas off our coastlines.

How to Help Orcas:

At Home:

• Properly dispose of litter, pet waste, medicines, and hazardous waste

• Plant native plants

• Use non-toxic yard products and household cleaners

If You Own a Car:

• Properly align and inflate car tires regularly

• Keep your car maintained to avoid leaks

If You Own a Boat:

• Practice Whale Wise boating habits

• Keep your boat properly maintained

• Use pump out stations

If You Live Near the Sea:

• Plant native plants

• Apply shore-friendly practices to your property

If You Live on a Stream:

• Restore riparian (stream side) habitat

• Whatcom CD has funding to do this at no cost to the landowner

• Remove fish passage barriers

• Whatcom CD has funding to do this at no cost to the landowner

In Other Ways:

• Attend Restoration Parties - like Orca Recovery Day

  • NSEA Work Parties

  • WLT Work Parties

• Support funding, legislation, and organizations helping orcas and salmon

Thank you to the amazing volunteers who joined us for Orca Recovery Day!

Thank you to Better Ground for hosting and organizing the regional Orca Recovery Day efforts.

Thank you to Flax4Life Tony’s Coffee, and the Bagelry for keeping our volunteers fed throughout the event.

Thank you to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board who funded this planting, last year’s planting, and the instream salmon work happening at Kenney Creek.