OBI Art for Orcas

The Southern Residents have now been on the endangered species list for just over 20 years, an anniversary that quietly came and went at the end of last year. They spend far less time in the Salish Sea than they used to, but even if they are out of sight, they are never out of our minds.

To help raise awareness of the fact that after two decades, they have yet to show signs of recovery, I had a wild idea. What if we built 75 life-sized dorsal fins, one for every living Southern Resident orca? What if when people saw one, they were inspired to learn about the whale behind it?

We asked, and the OBI community responded. Beginning June 1, 75 dorsal fins made out of wood, paint, cardboard, glass, metal, fabric, and more will be on display throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Each one will have a QR code leading to a brand new page on our website that highlights the plight of the Southern Residents and the key actions needed to reverse their continued population decline.

The passion and creativity invested in this project have been inspirational. This reel is just a teaser of all the work that has been going on behind the scenes, as dozens of people have donated time, materials, and space to make this vision a reality. For the entirety of the month of June - Orca Action Month - we will ensure the story of the Southern Residents is front and center.

You can learn more about the project, the whales, our research, and the hope for the future here