Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)
Respect, Observe, Preserve
Actively involved in outreach WOWs utilizes a variety of methods via presentations, workshops, information tables, pamphlets, interpretive signage, and posters to spread educational information to a diverse group of people. The general public, students, teachers and researchers participate and benefit from our outreach programs.
Outreach Education is crucial to increase awareness of the impact each of us has on the health of our coastal ecosystem and increase general knowledge of marine mammals and ocean biodiversity.
Presentations and Workshops
Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs) gives numerous presentations and workshops geared to specific species and delving into specifics of individual species of Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoise) as well as Pinnipeds (seals and sealions), their habitat, movements, habits and identification as well as educating people about the threats and threat mitigation to species and our coastal ecosystem. We have operated outreach information tables and set up booth displays for one to one discussions and small group presentations to people at various locations and venues.
Presentations occur year-round, but primarily Fall through Spring, outside of any project commitments.
Each presentation and workshop is tailored to any specific request, or group, prepared and presented in a multi-media (pictures, video, audio and discussion) format.
Workshops are tailored to more specific information about whale identification, entanglement issues, and rescue and response programs.
Information Tables
Handouts and displays are changed regularly to freshen up and attract repeat and additional people for each venue such as fairs, during ticket sales to our fundraisers, and at presentations.
Our brochures are available at marinas and a variety of stores, as well as handing them out to those we speak to while on the water.
Entanglement Mitigation Posters
Posters printed on waterproof board as well as paper are distributed and posted in key locations, such as marinas and marine stores.
Live Streaming Webcam
The Powell River camera is live streamed on YouTube, 24 hours per day. Views extend over the waters of Malaspina and Georgia Strait. Wherever you are, it is possible to see marine mammals such as orca, humpback whales, pacific white sided dolphins, and porpoise in their natural habitat.
Public Use Binoculars
Installed and available for use in key locations in the qathet District such as the viewpoints at Spirit Square, Westview, and Townsite, in Powell River and Shelter Point on Texada.
The dollar usage cost contributes to the maintenance and cleaning, with any minimal residual funds going towards our other programs.
Interpretive Signage
Whale and other Marine Mammal Interpretive signage has, and can be, been installed with, or without, the binoculars.
Due to Covid-19, a total of 7 scheduled presentations and workshops as well as an additional 6 in the scheduling phase,
in addition to outdoor and fundraising events were cancelled.
Since the start of Covid, we have run a few online presentations and managed only one live during a brief lifting of restrictions.
World of Whales page (coming soon) will hold information on upcoming presentations, workshops, and events including our gala fundraising dinner.
Due to Covid, we are still uncertain how some of these will unfold.
