The Organization
THE ORGANIZATION
ORCA EMBASSY SALISH
A conservation organization working toward a healthier Salish Sea.
Orca Embassy SALISH was created from a simple belief:
If we want to protect the Southern Resident killer whales, we have to care for the ecosystem they depend upon.
That means salmon.
It means healthy rivers and estuaries.
It means kelp and eelgrass.
It means clean water.
It means education.
And it means bringing people together to find practical ways to help.
Orca Embassy SALISH is developing a long-term conservation vision centered around the Salish Sea, with a proposed floating sanctuary and conservation vessel at its heart.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to support the recovery and protection of the Southern Resident killer whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through conservation, salmon restoration, education, research, habitat partnerships, and the development of a future marine sanctuary.
We believe lasting conservation requires more than one solution.
It requires people, organizations, science, education, community involvement, and a willingness to try new ideas responsibly.
OUR VISION
We envision a future in which a retired Washington State ferry is transformed into a working conservation vessel in the Salish Sea.
The vessel could eventually bring together:
SALMON RESTORATION
A proposed floating hatchery and salmon education program.
MARINE EDUCATION
Hands-on learning opportunities for students and the public.
RESEARCH & MONITORING
A platform for collecting information and supporting conservation science.
HABITAT RESTORATION
Connections with organizations working to restore kelp, eelgrass, salmon habitat, and healthy nearshore ecosystems.
CETACEAN SANCTUARY
A long-term goal of creating appropriate refuge and rehabilitation opportunities for cetaceans that cannot simply return to the wild.
This is a developing vision.
Each component will require its own scientific, engineering, financial, regulatory, and partnership work.
WHY WE START WITH THE SOUTHERN RESIDENTS
The Southern Resident killer whales are deeply connected to the Salish Sea.
Their lives depend heavily on Chinook salmon, and their future is tied to the health of the ecosystem around them.
That makes the Southern Residents an important focus for Orca Embassy.
But our goal is not to think about the whales in isolation.
A healthy orca population requires a healthy ecosystem.
That means our work must also consider salmon, habitat, water quality, marine life, and the human communities that share the Salish Sea.
OUR APPROACH
We believe in building carefully.
Orca Embassy is an ambitious project.
We are not claiming that every part of the vision has already been solved.
Instead, we are developing the project step by step.
That means asking difficult questions.
It means seeking qualified expertise.
It means listening to Tribal communities and respecting Indigenous knowledge and sovereignty.
It means working with scientists and conservation professionals.
It means understanding regulatory requirements.
And it means being willing to change the project when better information becomes available.
We would rather build something responsibly than build something quickly.
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS
No single organization can restore the Salish Sea alone.
Orca Embassy is intended to work alongside people and organizations already doing important conservation work.
We are interested in building relationships with:
Tribal communities and Tribal governments
Fisheries and marine scientists
Universities and schools
Salmon restoration organizations
Habitat restoration groups
Marine professionals
Educators
Students
Volunteers
Local communities
Conservation organizations
Government agencies and appropriate regulatory partners
We don't need everyone to agree on every idea.
We do need people willing to have honest conversations about what will actually help.
EDUCATION IS PART OF THE MISSION
Conservation is also an education project.
We want young people to have opportunities to see the Salish Sea as something they can participate in—not simply something they learn about in a classroom.
Our developing vision includes hands-on educational opportunities involving:
Salmon biology
Marine ecology
Water quality
Fish health
Habitat restoration
Conservation science
Research and monitoring
Environmental stewardship
A future floating conservation vessel could provide a unique classroom directly on the water.
WHERE WE ARE TODAY
Orca Embassy SALISH is still growing.
The organization is developing its plans, partnerships, funding strategy, and technical understanding of what will be required to make the larger vision possible.
The proposed sanctuary and floating hatchery are not currently operational facilities.
The project will require substantial additional work, including:
Site planning
Vessel evaluation
Engineering
Fisheries science
Environmental assessment
Regulatory approvals
Partnerships
Fundraising
Long-term operating plans
We believe being honest about where we are is important.
We're building the organization while we build the vision.
OUR COMMITMENT
We are committed to learning.
We are committed to transparency.
We are committed to science-informed conservation.
We are committed to listening to people with knowledge and experience.
And we are committed to finding ways for ordinary people to participate in protecting the Salish Sea.
We won't always have every answer.
But we can keep asking the right questions.
We can keep learning.
And we can keep moving forward.
JOIN THE ORGANIZATION
Orca Embassy needs more than funding.
It needs people.
Scientists.
Educators.
Students.
Marine professionals.
Volunteers.
Communicators.
Fundraisers.
Builders.
Artists.
Researchers.
Community members.
And people who simply care about the future of the Salish Sea.
If you have something to contribute, we'd like to hear from you.
THE FUTURE OF THE SALISH SEA BELONGS TO ALL OF US.
ORCA EMBASSY SALISH
Conservation. Education. Salmon. Sanctuary.
One step at a time.
Toni Johnson
Founder / self employed
William Sleasman
stonescaping consultant
Ronnie Jackson
Business/tax consultant