Volunteer, education events set for Orca Recovery Week

The Clallam Conservation District is teaming up with several partners, including the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Quileute Tribe, and Clallam County, to host nine free educational events and volunteer restoration opportunities throughout the Olympic Peninsula from Oct. 8-13.

These events, organizers say, are designed to bring awareness to the plight of the southern resident Orca whale, and aid in salmon recovery efforts since the Orca’s diet is comprised heavily of salmon.

All events are free; however, registration is required. Visit Clallam Conservation District’s website at clallamcd.org/orcaevents for more information or to register for events.

Volunteers are sought for four events during Orca Recovery Week to help plant and maintain native trees, shrub, and grasses along waterways to improve fish habitat. These volunteer events will be held throughout Clallam County.

One event will be held in Sequim on Monday, Oct. 10, involving maintenance of a recent planting along the Dungeness River.

Also on the docket are two Port Angeles-area events, including a tree planting along the Elwha River in the former Lake Aldwell lakebed on Saturday, Oct. 8, and planting of beach plants and dune grass on Ediz Hook on Oct. 12.

Another event will be held in Forks on Oct. 11 to plant trees and maintain a recently planted vegetated buffer along the Quillayute River.

In addition to volunteer events, five educational events will also be held throughout the week. Three of the events will involve guided walks along the Dungeness River on Monday, Oct. 10, the Elwha River on Wednesday, Oct. 12, and Little River (a tributary to the Elwha) on Thursday, Oct. 13.

The other two events are evening webinars, one on the “Recovery of Indian Creek” (a tributary to the Elwha) on Tuesday, Oct. 11, and another on the “Return of the Lamprey to the Elwha River Watershed” on Wednesday, Oct. 12.