In celebration of Orca Month this June, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities and Moondance Sea Kayak Adventures invite the public to join a kayak tour of Bellingham’s waterfront from 6:00 – 8:30 PM on Monday, June 25th.
Tour leaders will show kayakers a perspective of Bellingham Bay that can’t be seen from land, and visit sites that illuminate the history of Bellingham Bay, its historic contamination, cleanup and habitat improvement opportunities, and how our local bay plays a role in the health of the Salish Sea and its endangered orca population.
“The Bay has long suffered from a history of pollution and habitat destruction, which harms our orcas and the fish they rely on for food,” said Eleanor Hines, North Sound Baykeeper and Lead Scientist at RE Sources. “This evening adventure will give folks a better sense of our Bay’s history from a unique perspective — from Bellingham Bay itself — plus a chance to see firsthand cleanup sites and what’s being done to remedy the past.”
“Orca Month in June is a chance to celebrate one of our region’s most iconic wildlife species, but also an opportunity to reflect on the plight of these fragile creatures,” according to the Orca Awareness Month website. During Orca Month, organizations and individuals from across the Salish Sea host educational and celebratory events to raise awareness of the threats facing the Southern Resident orca population, and opportunities to engage in protection efforts.
The tour costs $50 per person including a tandem kayak rental, or $35 per person for those who bring their own kayak. No experience is needed for those renting kayaks, but participants must be physically fit to paddle, and those under the age of 18 must be with a parent or guardian. Participants must register in advance by contacting Moondance Sea Kayak Adventures, at info@moondancekayak.com, or (360) 738-7664 or by signing up directly online at http://bit.ly/orcamonthpaddle.
Media Contact: Eleanor Hines, North Sound Baykeeper/Lead Scientist, EleanorH@re-sources.org, 360-733-8307 ext. 213
