The Whale Trail

Mission

The Whale Trail is a series of places to watch orcas or other marine mammals from shore. Our mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship for orcas and other marine mammals and their environment. Our founding and overarching goal is to recover the endangered southern resident orcas (J, K and L pods) from the threat of extinction.

Description

The Whale Trail is a series of sites to watch orcas or other marine mammals from shore. From 16 inaugural locations in Washington state, there are now more than 130 spanning the west coast from California to British Columbia. Each site has a page on our website, and many features interpretive panels. Whale Trail sites are in city, county, state and national parks and Tribal lands. The Whale Trail is headquartered in Seattle.

The Whale Trail is a simple, powerful way to connect people to whales, dolphins and their ocean home, without disturbing the animals that are being watched. Watching whales from shore is fun, free, and accessible to all. We reach a broad and diverse general public through our sites, signs and programs.

• We've played Orca Bingo with hundreds of students, hosted Orca Talks in West Seattle and Orca Tours across four states, and Welcomed the Orcas from Alki Beach in the Fall. 
• When whales are near our volunteers hand out binoculars so everyone can spot them, and educate about the whales we are seeing. There's nothing so satisfying as helping someone see a whale for the first time!

Leadership in SRKW Recovery. Whale Trail Director Donna Sandstrom served as a member of Governor Inslee's Task Force on Southern Resident Orca Recovery. In that role she envisioned and championed a recommendation to license commercial whale-watching as one way to reduce noise and disturbance around the orcas. The recommendation became law in 2019, and new rules to protect the southern residents took effect in 2021.

• When the southern residents return to the Salish Sea it is quieter, and they have more acoustic space to forage and rest and tend their young.
• Together we have made a tangible difference in the lives of these vulnerable pods.  A sea change is underway, against great odds. 

During the 2023 legislative session we championed a bill to establish a 1,000 yard buffer around the southern residents for all boaters. This is milestone legislation based on best available science, population need, and the need to harmonize existing rules. The bill is on its way to becoming law! 

• On the long road to orca recovery, this was a big next step. The Whale Trail is leading the way forward. Take the next steps with us!

Organization and Leadership. The Whale Trail was founded in 2008 by a core team of partners including NOAA Fisheries, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, WDFW, Seattle Aquarium, and the Whale Museum. Our lead partner in Canada is Oceanwise' BC Cetacean Sighting Network. The Whale Trail was founded and is led by Donna Sandstrom, whose background includes 14 years as a team and project manager at Adobe Systems.

History of Success. The Whale Trail has its roots in a rare conservation success--the rescue and return of the orphaned orca Springer. To get Springer home, we had to learn how to work together. Above all, we put the whale's best interest first. The Whale Trail was founded in that spirt, and by many of the same team members.

Global Impact. The Whale Trail is pioneering a new way to experience and view marine mammals. As the harmful impacts of ocean noise become more clear, we are inspiring similar efforts around the world. 

Your Support Matters. The Whale Trail turns 15 this year! Help us build resilience and capacity to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.

• With your support we'll add new sites and signs, and create new tools  that make it easy for people to know where and when to watch whales from shore. 
• We'll produce educational programs that bring communities together to learn about whales. 
• And we'll continue speaking up for the southern residents when it matters. With seven calves under five years old, the future of the population is here. Their ability to thrive and survive into adulthood depends on actions that we take today.
• Give BIG to The Whale Trail today and help us take the next steps forward, and give the whales a chance to go on. 
• Thank you from the bottom of our orca-loving hearts!