Connecting over a Campfire: San Juan Island Naturalist Program Sparks Interest in Land-based Whale Watching
Pictured: The San Juan Island Naturalist Program hosts a fire-less “Nat Chat” in front of a beautiful sunset at San Juan County Park.
Friday Harbor, WA - Who doesn’t love to connect over a campfire? In 2023, the San Juan Island Naturalist Program broadened its influence to include San Juan County Park, where they successfully piloted "Fireside Naturalist Chats”, made possible through The Madrona Institute's Stewardship Grant Program, elevating the program’s goals in environmental education, public awareness, and community engagement.
These sessions seamlessly transitioned into "Nat Chats" when a countywide burn ban was enforced. Additionally, funds from Madrona Institute's Stewardship Grant allowed for an increase in the number of days that trained naturalists were stationed at the Land Bank's Westside Preserve and Lime Kiln State Park.
The Naturalist Program met its 2023 program goals, enhancing educational and inspirational land-based whale watching on San Juan Island. Trained naturalists were strategically stationed at key locations, including the Westside Preserve, San Juan County Park, and Lime Kiln Point State Park. The success of the new "campfire talks/Nat Chats" at San Juan County Park has prompted plans for an expansion, introducing more evening talks in 2024.
“Our program boosted environmental stewardship by educating people from across the globe about how our actions affect the ocean. For example, during our first Naturalist-led chat at the San Juan County Park, we had visitors from Idaho. This couple had never been to San Juan Island before. One topic we discussed was breaching the four lower Snake River Dams. The couple had no idea that the Southern Resident killer whales rely so heavily on Idaho Chinook salmon. By his own admission, the gentleman is a politically conservative real estate appraiser who often evaluates properties along the Snake River. We were able to have a very productive conversation regarding modern-day barriers to wildlife conservation. The couple left the conversation very willing to contact the White House and voice concern for the plight of the Southern Resident killer whales and Idaho Chinook salmon native to the Snake River.”
Pictured: The San Juan Island Naturalist team smiles in front of picnic table piled with Killer Whale ID guides in San Juan County Park.
The program's naturalists undertook a crucial role in increasing public understanding of the intricate roles played by killer whales and salmon in the Salish Sea ecosystem. Despite falling short of the goal of distributing 500 stewardship action guides, the program adapted by offering information electronically, aligning with the community's preference for sustainability and reduced paper waste.
The Naturalist Program actively contributed to the improvement of the coastal prairie habitat on San Juan Island. Through activities such as garbage collection and removal of non-native species at Westside Preserve, Lime Kiln, and County Park. In addition to achieving on-the-ground goals, the program's naturalists diligently gathered demographic data during each engagement, providing valuable insights into audience demographics and engagement levels. The final season totals are pending, but as of September 25th, the Naturalist Program has educated and engaged with 283 people at County Park Nat Chats and over 980 people at the Westside Preserve and Lime Kiln between July 1st and September 25th.
Shoot for the stars and beyond!
“I loved the Nat Chat I did at the County Park when the Perseid meteor shower was happening. It was awesome to not only educate folks about what is in the water and on the land around them but also to be able to draw their attention upward and to make that connection with the skies above!”
- Kailey Genther, Co-Coordinator, San Juan Island Naturalist Program
Pictured: A SJI Naturalist discusses Be Whale Wise guidelines while watching for Whales from the shores of Lime Kiln State Park.
The Stewardship Grants have empowered the San Juan Island Naturalist Program to not only achieve but surpass its 2023 goals. From expanded educational opportunities to increased community engagement and innovative talks, these funds have been a catalyst for positive change, fostering a deeper understanding of the region's environmental challenges and inspiring action for its protection.
The funding we received has helped us connect people to the natural environment around them. It’s helped us meet people out in nature and help them make personal, face-to-face connections with the Salish Sea and all its inhabitants, including the endangered Southern Resident killer whales.”
- Ariel Yseth, Co-Coordinator, San Juan Island Naturalist Program
Pictured: While overlooking the ocean, SJI Naturalists give a “Nat Chat” about Southern Resident Orcas.
More about The San Juan Island Naturalist Programs
The San Juan Island Naturalist Program has been in operation since 2015 educating the public and connecting them to the local whales & ecosystem. Their mission is to:
Offer land-based whale-watching opportunities with trained experts (our Volunteer and Staff Naturalists)
Routinely station trained experts at Westside Preserve (San Juan County Conservation Land Bank) and Lime Kiln Point State Park
Educate locals and visitors alike about the Salish Sea, the whales, what threatens their livelihood, and what we can do to help
Be an example of and teach others the importance of “Leave No Trace” practices and leaving the land as, or better, than we found it
Participate in the Land Bank’s prairie habitat restoration program which seeks to remove invasive blackberry, hawthorn, and other invasive plant species.
Provide our volunteers with opportunities to learn about the unique Salish Sea ecosystem and to become active stewards for their local environment
More about The Madrona Institute’s Special License Plate Stewardship Grant program
The Madrona Institute empowers organizations in the San Juan Islands by offering small grants through the Madrona Stewardship Fund. These grants support initiatives that foster youth engagement, environmental and cultural stewardship, climate action, and social justice. The funding is sourced from the sales of San Juan Islands Special License plates through the Department of Licensing.
In its second year of grant-making in 2022, The Madrona Institute allocated $45,000 to local nonprofit organizations. This marks our ongoing commitment to channeling the proceeds from the San Juan Islands Special License Plate sales into impactful projects that enhance the well-being and sustainability of our local community.tand out
2022 Grantees include:
$10,000 to the San Juan Islands Conservation District for their San Juan Islands Youth Conservation Corps program
$10,000 to the Madrona Institute for their Coast Salish Youth Coalition/Stewardship Corps program
$5,000 to the Friends of the San Juans for their Youth Environmental Mentoring Program
$5,000 to the Alchemy Art Center for their Young Environmentalists Arts Intensive Program
$5,000 to the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild for their Farm Heroes for Environmental Stewardship Program
$5,000 to Wild Orca for their San Juan Islands Naturalist Program
$5,000 to the Children of the Setting Sun Productions to support the creation of the Indigenous film series and pilot episode “The Sound”
Awards are made on an annual basis for local projects and programs that support the conservation and stewardship of agricultural, cultural, historic, and natural resources in the islands, with emphasis on youth engagement and environmental justice.
Support These Programs and Get your Special License Plate Today!
The Madrona Institute proudly serves as the organizational sponsor of the San Juan Islands Stewardship License Plate, established on October 1, 2019 through the WA Department of Licensing.
By purchasing a San Juan Islands Stewardship License Plate, you actively contribute to the stewardship of the San Juan Islands. Every purchase directly supports The Madrona Institute's Special License Plate Stewardship Grant program, making impactful programs and projects as highlighted above, possible.
Your support through the Special License Plate initiative becomes a tangible and meaningful way to foster sustainability and community well-being in the San Juan Islands and greater Salish Sea.
