Thursday, June 3, 2010

Announcing Orca Day 2010 - Saturday, July 24


One of the best things about summer on Pender Island is the chance to view Orcas, up close and personal as they swim past the island . . . sometimes within a metre of shoreline viewers. Last July, to celebrate these magnificent animals, Pender Island hosted it’s first-ever Orca Day. For a first-time event, the educational, fun and family-oriented Orca Day 2009 was a resounding success!

We are pleased to be able to confirm that Orca Day 2010 will be held on Saturday, July 24, at Thieves Bay Community Park. In addition, on Friday, July 23, Dr. Peter Ross, Toxicology Specialist at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), will give a special presentation on what he has learned from these fascinating mammals at the Anglican Parish Hall at 7:30 pm.

The Saturday program at Thieves Bay is scheduled from 1-5 pm, and will include presentations by The Whale Museum (Friday Harbor, San Juan Island), the Vancouver Aquarium, Center for Whale Research (Friday Harbor, San Juan Island), Paul Cottrell (Marine Mammal Coordinator) and Harald Jurk (Orca Acoustics Specialist) from DFO, and others. In addition to new speakers and exhibitors, this year a covered area will provide a seminar-like setting for those interested in hearing the keynote speakers, as well as offer an escape from the elements. The spectacularly popular children’s program will be back and expanded, as will the live and local entertainment program. There will also be plenty of free time to wander through the exhibits of research, education and conservation organizations who will be set up in the park and who have a tie to the local Orcas.

Saturday’s Thieves Bay events will be followed by a picnic at the park, where many of the guest speakers will participate in a question and answer period, and be available for further conversation. These speakers and presenters are among the most knowledgeable Orca experts in the world.

You will never have a better or more entertaining opportunity to get to know your local whales. Attendance is free. Should anyone attending wish to make a donation towards the cost of staging this free event, containers will be located throughout the park.

Last year’s Orca Day attracted 300 to 400 people. As new details regarding other speakers and topics for Orca Day 2010 become available, they will be posted here.

For further information please call 250-629-6137

No comments:

Post a Comment