News Flash

City of Bothell News

Posted on: October 10, 2022

Bothell and Kenmore Celebrate Orca Recovery Day

Bothell, WA – Community members are invited to participate in the 5^th annual Orca Recovery Day – a series of restoration-related volunteer events happening in Bothell and Kenmore on October 15 and 16. This is an intentional day of action to restore habitat, reduce stormwater pollution, and educate the public about simple things you can do every day to help one of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic species. Each event will offer families of all ages a variety of hands-on stewardship and educational activities.

October 15, 10 am – 1 pm, Former Wayne Golf Course, Bothell
October 15, 11 am – 2 pm, Wallace Swamp Creek Park, Kenmore
October 16, 10 am – 12:30 pm, Shelton View Forest, Bothell

"Water connects all of us and it couldn’t be truer here in the Pacific Northwest," said Whitney Neugebauer, Director of Whale Scout, a Puget Sound nonprofit working to protect Pacific Northwest whales. “Rain that falls in our neighborhoods finds its way to the nearest stream or river, which then flows to the ocean. Here in the Bothell/Kenmore area, the Sammamish River and streams like Swamp Creek and North Creek are home to Pacific salmon. Right now, these fish are returning from the ocean to spawn. Salmon are also extremely important to tribes both for cultural reasons and for subsistence."

The direct impact local communities have on the health and vitality of salmon and orcas is why events like Orca Recovery Day are so important. Initially born out of the fallout from the tragic story of Tahlequah and her dead newborn orca calf, whom she carried for 17 days and over 1,000 miles, Orca Recovery Day has engaged thousands of people each year in on-the-ground projects.

Bothell/Kenmore events are hosted by Whale Scout, OneBothell, Orca Conservancy, Friends of North Creek Forest, City of Bothell, Sno-King Watershed Council, and Shelton View Forest Stewardship Association with support from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, King County Flood Control District, King County Wastewater Treatment Division, Puget Sound Conservation Districts, City of Kenmore, and the Trammell Crow Company.