Summary
Organization name
The Whale Trail
Tax id (EIN)
27-3093674
Category
Environment
Address
6523 California AveSeattle, WA 98136
WA, US
CA, US
OR, US
BC, CA
Our Mission
The Whale Trail is a series of sites to watch orcas and other marine mammals from shore. Our mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship for whales, dolphins and their habitat. Our goals are to increase awareness, build community, and promote land-based whale watching. Our overarching goal is to recover the endangered southern resident orcas (J, K and L pods) from the threat of extinction.
About The Whale Trail
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Whale Trail sites are in city, county, state, and national parks, Tribal lands and First Nations. We work closely with site hosts, agencies, community members and researchers to identify potential sites, and design and install our signs. Our signs reach a broad and diverse general public—people out for a walk, or riding a ferry. Every minute of every day, someone is reading a Whale Trail sign, learning about the place they are at and the animals they might see. Organization and Leadership. The Whale Trail was founded by a team of partners including NOAA Fisheries, National Marine Sanctuaries, WDFW, Seattle Aquarium, the Whale Museum and People for Puget Sound. Ocean Wise is our lead partner in Canada. The organization is led by Donna Sandstrom, and headquartered in West Seattle. |
Community Engagement
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We've hosted a long-running lecture series called Orca Talks, produced transboundary Orca Tours, and played Orca Bingo with hundreds of students aboard Washington State Ferries.
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Leaders in Orca Recovery
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The Whale Trail leads successful efforts to recover endangered southern resident orcas by reducing noise and disturbance around them. Director Donna Sandstrom served as a member of Governor Inslee's Orca Recovery Task Force, where she championed a recommendation to licensing commercial whale-watching. The recommendation became law in 2019, with distance regulations that were updated in 2023.
A sea change is underway, against great odds. We can all be proud of a public process that worked - on both sides of the border! Together we have made a tangible difference in the lives of these vulnerable pods.
And best of all, the whales show signs of responding.
It is not too late for the southern residents, yet. Please support our work to protect these vulnerable and iconic pods, and give them a chance to go on. |
Your Support Matters
The Whale Trail turned 18 this year! We are so grateful to the donors, site hosts, partners, and volunteers who have shared our vision and made it come true.
Whether you are a long-time supporter or brand new, please consider Giving Big to The Whale Trail. As we enter a new season, we need your help more than ever. With your support, in the the coming year we will:
- Add new sites and signs, and make it easier for people to find and follow The Whale Trail. Help us design and print downloadable brochures, and update our website to plan itineraries.
- Celebrate Springer 2027! Next year marks the 25th anniversary of Springer's rescue - the only successful orca reunion in history! Help us celebrate her success, honor the team who made it happen, and inspire a next generation to become involved. Donate today to help us plan and prepare for this milestone year across Washington and beyond.
- Whale Trail 2.0. We have come to the end of our first chapters, and are laser-focused on building resilience and capacity for the next. Help us get the tactical help we need to chart a new course—a sustainable future for The Whale Trail, and the whales!
Thank you so much from the bottom of our orca-loving hearts!
(P.S If you want to support a specific initiative, please note that with your donation.)
Giving Activity
Media gallery
Organization Data
Seattle, WA 98136