Orca presentation features experts at Eagle Harbor church

Four special guest speakers will gather at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 to discuss the status of the Salish Sea’s population of three orca pods.

Activists note the number of orcas in the area continues to decline, with only 73 remaining, they say, down from 98 who inhabited the same waters in 1995.

The church’s congregation is sponsoring an informational program exploring reasons behind the decline and also actions than can be taken to encourage government agencies and nonprofit organizations to begin reversing the trend.

Speakers will include Howard Garrett of the Orca Network, which raises awareness of whales and whale habitats in need of protection; Rich Chandler, curator and facilities coordinator at the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum and co-author of “Killer Whales: Magnificent Creatures of the Salish Sea”; Karen Munro Ellick, a church member and orca activist who witnessed the infamous Sea World capture incident in 1976; and also a representative from the Suquamish Tribe.

Eagle Harbor Congregational Church is located at 105 Winslow Way West.

All are welcome.