These reasons, and more, are why the Southern Resident Community was being considered for the Endangered Species List.

And even long before we knew the orcas were in trouble,The Whale Museum has carried out its mission of promoting stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research.

Why education and research? Because we believe that an informed and concerned public is the best ally the whales can have. After all, as knowledge of the orcas has expanded over the last four decades, humans' perception of them has changed from ferocious beasts to intelligent and lovable creatures worthy of our respect.

However, there is still much that we don't know about these whales. And considering that human behavior remains their greatest threat, we as a species must make wise and compassionate decisions based on a greater understanding of these magnificent animals.

Here are some of the programs at The Whale Museum that contribute to that effort. If you are interested in donating to one of them, or to The Whale Museum general fund, please click here. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The exhibits "tell the natural history story" of the whales and other marine mammals of the Salish Sea. New exhibits are created as developments arise (such as the orcas' unusual month-long stay in Dyes Inlet) and as funding allows.

Tours through the Museum Gallery are popular with school groups, Elderhostel and the general public. The Gray Whale Project, in which students articulate a real gray whale skeleton, is a great learning experience. Our Outbreach Program, growing in popularity every year, visits distant schools that can't bring their students to the Museum. Our highly regarded Marine Naturalist Training Program, with college credit and teacher clock hours available, is offered annually. And finally, for the little ones there are Pod Nods, supervised and educational overnight "pajama parties" inside the Museum.

Soundwatch is the only entity this side of the U.S./Canada border providing much-needed on-the-water education to boaters watching whales. Soundwatch is our most expensive program and is funded primarily by donations.

The Stranding Network is the only fully coordinated community network in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, working in conjunction with the only rehabilitation center in Washington state authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service to care for injured marine mammals. In the last five years we have responded to nearly 1,000 calls.

Arrays of underwater hydrophones and video cameras connected to computers on the west side of San Juan Island are allowing researchers to understand more about the accoustics of the marine environment, including the effects of underwater noise on the orcas' ability to communicate and hunt for food.