Orcas live in distinct communities all around the world, but wherever you find them, there are people who have formed deep connections to them. Through storytelling from three different female narrators, this book club explores the common threads that span across human-killer whale relationships in Washington, Alaska, Canada, Norway, Russia, and beyond. Topics include the transition from fearing orcas to revering them, the difficulty of studying a species that does not give up its secrets easily, and the challenges of being a woman in the field of marine science.
• 9 two-hour virtual Zoom sessions that include group book discussions, lectures, author Q&As, guest speakers, and virtual "watch parties" of curated films
• Access to a private Discord server to connect with instructors and build community with other participants
• A custom class bookmark
• *Optional in-person excursion (full version only)
Not included with the class:
Copies of the 3 books
Classes are held on Zoom at 6:30 to 8:30 PM PST on the following Thursdays in 2027:
Feb 11
Feb 18
Feb 25
Mar 11
Mar 18
Mar 25
Apr 8
Apr 15
Apr 22
May 1 Optional (full version only) in-person boat trip from Friday Harbor - Saturday -
There are no specific prerequisites other than a willingness to learn and engage with others throughout this educational experience. No specific background is needed; in fact, we anticipate everyone's unique backgrounds, perspectives, and feelings will enrich the experience for all involved. The general expectation is that participants will read each book before the deadline, generate thoughts and questions about each book and/or film, and engage with their peers in lively discussions and Q&As.
If you are interested in learning more about whales in the Salish Sea and participating in group discussions with other whale lovers, join this book club! It was a wonderful mix of education, discussion, passion and creativity."
"The book club was full of thoughtful discussions, engaging guest speakers, and a community of like-minded people. I loved how the moderators were able to acknowledge the difficult themes of the books while still driving discussion forward and encouraging different points of view. Each meeting was always a safe, thought-provoking forum, and the class was an overall wonderful experience!"
"Whether it’s fellow classmates, or guest speakers, this book club offers the opportunity to connect with folks from around the world who all have one thing in common - a love for whales! If you’re whale obsessed just like the rest of us, I couldn’t recommend this class more!"
From Past Students
Who is this course designed for?
Anyone 18 and older who wants to:
Expand their knowledge and understanding of regional killer whales
Enjoys "deep diving" on topics and considering different perspectives
Can keep an open mind while engaging in respectful conversation
Looks forward to building community with other individuals who share the same passions
Do you offer a payment plan and how do I sign up?
Splitting the class fee into three equal payments of $205.50, spaced two months apart, is also an option (only available for full version seats). An additional 2.9% fee per payment has already been included in the price to cover transaction fees. You can visit our payment plan page HERE (when available)
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel by January 15 for a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee. No refunds after January 15.