Whale Scout

Mission

Protecting Pacific Northwest whales through land-based conservation experiences.

Description

Watching whales is truly a magical experience, and something we are so lucky to enjoy in Seattle's urban environment. However, many of the choices we've made in the past have endangered our killer whales and the Chinook salmon they prey upon. Whale Scout channels people's interest in orcas to improve the foundational components of the ecosystem which supports them.

Our main programs include:

Riparian restoration along the Sammamish River, Valhalla Creek, and Bear Creek

Volunteer engagement in salmon habitat restoration 

Outreach with low-income families

Inclusive community education programming 

Paid Student Internships and Leadership Programs

NEW: High School Job Training Program: Seeds to Sky!

Learn More About Our 2025 Priority Project

Endangered killer whales have captured the attention of the public, leaving a large audience asking how they can help. Whale Scout’s goal since 2013 has been to direct people towards individual actions that add up to meaningful benefits within our watersheds. Much of what needs to be done to recover orcas lies in our own backyards. The whales need more salmon and both need cleaner, cooler water to thrive. Killer whales act as a powerful lead-in to participation in water conservation and water quality actions. This project channels people’s energy to the former Wayne Golf Course as a place where the community is rebuilding connections to the Sammamish River.

At the time of Euro-American settlement, members of the Duwamish tribe lived, hunted, and traveled along the Sammamish river, including a village near the site. Beginning in the 1870’s, the area was logged and transitioned into agricultural use. In 1931 the site was developed as a golf course which operated until 2017. Due to navigational difficulties and flooding, the Army Corps of Engineers straightened and dredged much of the Sammamish River in the 1960s. Along with Lake Washington lowering from the creation of the Ballard Locks, these actions combined to disconnect the Sammamish River from its historic floodplain and create a more narrow and deep river. Land-use changes and riverbank management encouraged invasive species like Himalayan blackberry and reed canary grass to dominate riparian habitats along the Sammamish River. Today, the river is listed on the state 303(d) list for violation of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform bacteria, and pH standards. During the summer months when Chinook salmon migrate through the site, water temperatures exceed healthy thresholds.

This project proposes to remove invasive vegetation and replace it with native trees and shrubs directly on both banks of the river and along a tributary stream flowing between highway 522 and the river. Fast-growing willows combined with a mix of native trees will quickly add shade to the river and result in a long-term forested canopy. Planting on the left bank of the river is particularly important for water quality in terms of solar aspect and reducing temperature. Native vegetation will reduce erosion of the riverbank and mitigate flooding risk. Restored riparian habitat will also intercept stormwater runoff from highway 522, a major roadway connecting Bothell to Seattle. These plantings will help filter toxins such as 6PPD-quinone, which can be fatal for Coho salmon, fish also found in the Sammamish River. We'e grateful for the support of Bothell Parks and Recreation and our community for making this project possible.

Student Leadership

We know that the long term success of any stewardship project rests in the hands of local youth. There are also disparities in the field of conservation we actively work to address. Each year we partner with UW Bothell to host students working on capstone projects at our sites. Our Diverse Student Leadership program also pays students living wages while gaining real-world career experiences in restoration. In 2025, we aim to engage seven interns to lead the community in the restoration and maintenance of over two acres of riparian habitat, water quality testing, and environmental education. New for 2025, we're launching Seeds to Sky, a high school career training program for students to learn restoration science skills after school. Throughout the year, we also host local preschools up through high school clubs working to ensure everyone has the opportunity to lend a hand.