water photo

50 Shades of Gray Whale

Scholarship available for this class:
No
Registration opens:
October 24th
Seats available
22
Class overview:

Join us for a 14-week course that will deepen your appreciation and understanding of gray whales from their feeding grounds in Arctic waters to their Mexico breeding lagoons. Through a combination of virtual lectures from gray whale experts, group discussions, and field trips, you will learn about their unique natural history and population dynamics, including topic such as the impacts of climate change, friendly whales, subsistence whaling, the recent Unusual Mortality Event, unique wandering whales, and more. Practice reading and understanding scientific papers, learn how to draw gray whales, and for those able to join locally, have the opportunity to see the Sounders gray whales both from shore and on the water.

Seats available:

16 Full seats at $1445

6 virtual seats at $875 (no field trips)

Option to split into 3 equal payments of $495.64 (once every 2 months) (For full seats only)

Included in the class:

Included in the class:

8 two-hour virtual Zoom sessions with Cindy hansen and other whale experts

2 shore-based field trips in Whidbey Island

3 on the water excursions

Access to a private Discord server to connect with instructors and build community with other participants

Commemorative class T-shirt

MEETING DATES AND TIMES

Virtual classes are held on Zoom at 6:30 to 8:30 PM PST on the following Wednesdays in 2026:

Feb 11

Feb 25

Mar 11

Mar 25

Apr 8

Apr 22

May 6

May 20

Field trip dates (tentative)

Feb 21 (Whidbey Island - shore-based)

Mar 14 (Edmonds - on the water)

Apr 11 - 12 (Langley - shore/on the water)

May 9 (Anacortes - on the water)

Prerequsites:

This is an introductory level class for those who are new to learning about marine mammals of the Salish Sea, so no previous knowledge is necessary! All we ask is that you bring your attention and willingness to learn.

Testimonials:
FAQ: