June 4, 5:30 PM - The Whale Museum's Response Program Volunteer Training - Lopez Island Library
Interested in volunteer with The Whale Museum's Response Program? Attend this volunteer training at the Lopez Island Library on Thursday, June 4th, at 5:30!
June 8, 6:00 PM - Community Conversation with The Nature Record - Brickworks Event Center
The Whale Museum, UW Friday Harbor Laboratories, Friends of the San Juans and San Juan County Department of Environmental Stewardship are excited to announce a public engagement event with leaders and authors from The Nature Record, the first-ever comprehensive, independent, evidence-based assessment of how nature is doing in the United States, and how changes in nature are shaping our lives, communities, and economy. Their organization works with hundreds of scientists to shape key messages, analyze data, debate evidence, and their assessment continues to be shaped by public input.
The evening will include presentations by chapter authors, a poetry reading, and an opportunity to discuss and shape the report. This event is free and open to the public! Learn more about The Nature Record, or read the current version of the report at: https://naturerecord.org/.
June 9, 6:00 PM - Summer Lecture Series: Eelgrass Restoration through Youth Conservation with Mike Rosekrans and Sage Enright
Catch this lecture in-person at The Whale Museum or streaming on YouTube!
Eelgrass plays a vital role in the Salish Sea providing critical species habitat, preventing coastal erosion, improving water quality, and contributing to shellfish and human health by reducing pathogens in seawater. While the San Juan Islands historically had robust eelgrass meadows, the islands have recently experienced alarming local declines, with near-total losses in some areas. the San Juan Islands Conservation District (SJICD) YCC programs leads seed-based eelgrass restoration efforts, which focus on collecting eelgrass seeds from natural meadows and planting them in priority restoration sites. Learn about the efforts our YCC crew members are engaged with and how our local youth are contributing to a healthier marine ecosystem.
June 12, 7:00 PM - Free Films Screening + Q&A: "Elwha River Salmon Recovery", "Kelp Lifeways"
On June 12th The Whale Museum will be hosting a free film screening of two short films: "Elwha River Salmon Recovery" and "Kelp Lifeways" and a Q&A with producer Dr. Florian Graner from the Sound Water Stewards! This event is free for anyone to attend, though a $5 donation is encouraged!
June 16, 7:00 PM - Summer Lecture Series: Government of Canada’s Efforts to Protect Southern Resident killer whales from vessel-related disturbance
Catch this remote lecture on Zoom! Join the event live here!
Representatives from the Government of Canada will be present to discuss current and upcoming vessel management measures to protect the Southern Resident killer whale population in Canadian waters!
July - Summer Marine Naturalist Training
Registration is now open for the 2026 summer sessions of the Marine Naturalist Training Program! There are currently only spots remaining for our hybrid Summer Session, with virtual classes from July 7 to July 11, and optional in-person field trips from July 24 to July 26.
Summer Lecture Archives:
The Whale Museum's Summer Lecture series has concluded, but archived lectures are available on our YouTube channel:
Dr. Shawn Larson, The Seattle Aquarium: Sea Otter Conservation and Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration. Watch a recording of Dr. Larson's talk here.
Dr. Rob Williams, Oceans Initiative: Bright Extinction and a Vision of Hope: Signs of an accelerating decline in Southern Resident killer whales, and what we can do now to start turning it around. Catch a recording of it on this YouTube Link.
Dr. Mike Kuperberg, The Whale Museum: A Tale of Two Cities (Tallahassee to Washington DC to Friday Harbor). You can catch a recording of this talk here.
Note: all times are listed in Pacific Time.