PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend Marine Science Center will kick off Orca Month and its 35th anniversary year with “The Day of the Orca” on Saturday.
Admission will be free to Fort Worden State Park and the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, 532 Battery Way, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
At “The Day of the Orca,” visitors can learn about the southern resident and transient orca populations that swim in area waters. The marine science center is home to Hope, one of only eight fully articulated orca skeletons in the world.
The skeleton “tells the orca’s story and how the community came together to have her remains inspire residents to take action for a healthier Salish Sea,” according to a news release.
Hope the skeleton
The skeleton of Hope, a transient female orca that beached and died locally in 2002, hangs in the natural History Building at the center. The exhibit includes information discovered about the toxic chemicals that contributed to the orca’s death.
Activities this Saturday will include:
• A welcome by Janine Boire, executive director of Port Townsend Marine Science Center and Jamestown S’Kallam tribal member and Chief Chetzemoka descendent Marlin Holden.
• “Introduction to Our Orcas” with Ken Balcomb, founder of the Center for Whale Research; Boire; and photographer and Puget Sound Express naturalist Bart Rulon. Seating for this event will be limited.
• “How to ID Orcas” with Rulon.
• A “Get to Know Your Orcas” session for children and families.
• Tours of Hope.
• Free boat tours on Puget Sound Express whale watching vessels.
• “Listen to Orcas”: Learn how orcas communicate and listen in via the hydrophone listening network.
• Family-oriented art projects throughout the day.
“The Day of the Orca” is part of the Port Townsend Orca Festival, sponsored by Puget Sound Express, the marine science center, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Thunderbull and the North Olympic Salmon Coalition.
Later this month, the marine science center will host a Summer Kick Off and Beach Party from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 24. Admission will be free to the marine science center. A Discover Pass will be needed to enter Fort Worden State Park.
Before the kickoff gets started, the center will host a low-tide walk at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Salish Sea blessing ceremony.
The center will offer tours of Hope, the sounds of sea creatures via the hydrophone listening network and free boat tours on Puget Sound Express whale watching vessels.
Visitors also can help piece together a gray whale skeleton and be part of a community art project of sand whale sculptures.
Live music, beach games, a community portrait and food and beverages are planned.
Throughout the month will be a J-Pod Scavenger Hunt.
The hunt begins at the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center at 2409 Jefferson St., Suite B in Port Townsend.
Participants can get to know the largest pod of southern resident orcas by following clues and collecting trading cards with members of the pod.
The first two participants to collect all of the cards will receive free whale watching tours from Puget Sound Express.
All other participants who complete the scavenger hunt will be entered into a raffle.
The drawing will take place at the Summer Kick Off and Beach Party.
“What better way to begin our 35th year and celebrate Orca Month than to partner with Puget Sound Express and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce to create Orca Fest, a monthlong learning opportunity of these remarkable animals?” said Boire.
For more information and other events celebrating Orca Month, go to http://ptorcafest.com.
