Now that the legislative session is over, where do the Orca Task Force recommendations stand? Has progress been made? The BOLD team has the answers in this easy-to-read scorecard.
Thank you to everyone who’s been following and engaging with their legislators to help critical bills get passed! There is still more work to be done in a lot of areas as you will find out in this report particularly in funding salmon habitat projects.
Whale Scout, a nonprofit organization based in King County, Washington is looking for student interns for spring and summer sessions to assist with salmon habitat restoration and outreach and education activities with diverse audiences. Dedicated to protecting Pacific Northwest whales through land-based conservation experiences, Whale Scout takes a boots-on-the-ground approach to recovering endangered Southern Resident killer whales and the salmon they rely upon. We acknowledge that we are on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people, and recognize that certain local communities of color are disproportionately impacted by lack of salmon, poor water quality, and access to outdoor environmental experiences and education. Our programs, including this internship, work to address these issues. We are seeking applicants whose backgrounds, experiences, language skills, and interests align with environmental justice goals related to Puget Sound. This internship will offer students the opportunity to learn about killer whales, salmon habitat, native vegetation, communication, community building, non-profit organizational management, and become certified water quality monitors (summer). It will offer those 16 and older field experience educating the public including diverse communities. The summer internship may also include opportunities to participate in a field trip to San Juan Island. No prior experience is required for either program. Students are invited to apply for spring and/or summer sessions separately. Interns are offered hourly compensation.
Application Deadlines:
Applications Open: February 27th
Summer session: March 27th
Summer session June 22 – August 31
Approximately 15-20hrs/week primarily on weekday mornings with some weekends and independent work from home and possible offsite locations and field trips.
Locations: Former Wayne Golf Course, Bothell, Bear Creek, Redmond, outreach sites throughout King County, possible offsite locations and field trips.
Description of Responsibilities
Activities: Watering, weeding, maintenance, and monitoring of newly planted native vegetation at restoration sites. Water quality monitoring training and certification. Outreach performing educational activities working with kids and families throughout King County. Leading volunteer work parties. Data entry for the PodMatch website and some administrative tasks. Independent reading, learning, research and group discussions.
Possible field trip to San Juan Island, Ballard Locks, and other offsite locations.
Benefits
Hourly compensation
This program offers an introduction to environmental restoration with field experience that can serve as a pathway for future careers. Gain real world experience learning how nonprofits and local governments partner to benefit the community. Network with other professionals in the field. Continue your education in discussion groups learning perspectives from peers. Gain experience leading and working with diverse communities. Become certified in water quality monitoring with broad applications in environmental fields. Upon successful completion of internship, we can provide letters of recommendation for future positions or educational advancement.
Commitment
We ask that participants commit to the full length of the program with exceptions for scheduled vacations and sick days.
Overall schedule can vary and include some weekends and evenings. During the summer, we make significant efforts to avoid the hottest times during the day for comfort which often requires mornings starting at 8am or earlier.
Skills and Qualifications
With the majority of activities taking place in the field, applicants should be interested in spending time outdoors and feel comfortable hiking several miles outdoors in all weather conditions. Must have an open mind and willingness to explore other points of view. Interest in working with diverse communities in the outdoors and indoor settings. Proven initiative and ability to multitask, prioritize, use good judgment, problem solve, and work effectively both independently and as a team in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated written and oral communication skills and detail-oriented organizational skills.
Must be at least 16 years old on first day of internship
Must provide transportation to sites across King County
Must successfully pass a criminal history background check
Must be legally able to work in the United States
Computer skills – use of Google products such as Google calendar, Google docs, Google sheets/excel and Zoom. Access to a computer/internet/email is particularly helpful
Be able to lift 40 lbs
Note: Housing not provided
We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA2S+, people living with disabilities, and veterans. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.
We consider the “whole applicant,” working to develop a cohort of interns with unique perspectives each year. Typically we receive far more applicants than available positions.
Whale Scout Summer Applications Open February 27th
Program Support
This program is funded with support from: WRIA 8, King County Flood Control District, King County Wastewater Treatment Division, and King County Parks.
Join us for a habitat restoration event!
Endangered Southern Resident killer whales depend on salmon as a critical prey resource from watersheds in Puget Sound and beyond. Salmon use the Sammamish River as a migratory corridor. Improving the water quality in the river will help both struggling salmon populations and orcas. Join us to care for new native plantings at the former Wayne Golf Course. Vegetation will help shade and cool and clean a small stream emptying into the Sammamish River. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of riverbanks and host insects’ young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell Park. Activities will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
Date: March 7th
Time: 10am – 1pm
Join us for a habitat restoration event!
Endangered Southern Resident killer whales depend on salmon as a critical prey resource from watersheds in Puget Sound and beyond. Salmon use the Sammamish River as a migratory corridor. Improving the water quality in the river will help both struggling salmon populations and orcas. Join us to care for new native plantings at the former Wayne Golf Course. Vegetation will help shade and cool and clean a small stream emptying into the Sammamish River. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of riverbanks and host insects’ young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell Park. Activities will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
Date: March 14th
Time: 10am – 1pm
Join us for a habitat restoration event!
Endangered Southern Resident killer whales depend on salmon as a critical prey resource from watersheds in Puget Sound and beyond. Salmon use the Sammamish River as a migratory corridor. Improving the water quality in the river will help both struggling salmon populations and orcas. Join us to care for new native plantings at the former Wayne Golf Course. Vegetation will help shade and cool and clean a small stream emptying into the Sammamish River. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of riverbanks and host insects’ young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell Park. Activities will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
Date: Jan. 31st
Time: 10am – 1pm
🌱 Whale Scout Seeds to Sky Internship Program 🌿
High School Environmental Science Internship Opportunity
About the Program:
Whale Scout is excited to announce our new Seeds to Sky Internship Program, designed especially for high school students (or those of high school age) who are eager to gain real-world job experience in environmental science and conservation. This is an excellent opportunity to learn by doing and make a difference in your local community and ecosystems! Participants are required to commit to the entirety of the 10 week program.
Program Details:
What You’ll Do:
Interns will get hands-on experience and job training in:
Work Environment:
Why Join:
How to Apply:
Complete the application form by February 20th, 2026
If you have questions, please email Field Biologist, Rachael Kutz: rachaelk@whalescout.org
Program Support
This program is funded with support from: WRIA 8, King County Flood Control District, King County Wastewater Treatment Division, King County Parks, CWM, WNPS
Join us for a habitat restoration event!
Endangered Southern Resident killer whales depend on salmon as a critical prey resource from watersheds in Puget Sound and beyond. Salmon use the Sammamish River as a migratory corridor. Improving the water quality in the river will help both struggling salmon populations and orcas. Join us to care for new native plantings at the former Wayne Golf Course. Vegetation will help shade and cool and clean a small stream emptying into the Sammamish River. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of riverbanks and host insects’ young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell Park. Activities will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
Date: Dec. 13th
Time: 10am – 1pm
Join us for a habitat restoration event!
Endangered Southern Resident killer whales depend on salmon as a critical prey resource from watersheds in Puget Sound and beyond. Salmon use the Sammamish River as a migratory corridor. Improving the water quality in the river will help both struggling salmon populations and orcas. Join us to care for new native plantings at the former Wayne Golf Course. Vegetation will help shade and cool and clean a small stream emptying into the Sammamish River. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of riverbanks and host insects’ young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell Park. Activities will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
Date: February 28th
Time: 10am – 1pm
Join us for a habitat restoration event!
Endangered Southern Resident killer whales depend on salmon as a critical prey resource from watersheds in Puget Sound and beyond. Salmon use the Sammamish River as a migratory corridor. Improving the water quality in the river will help both struggling salmon populations and orcas. Join us to care for new native plantings at the former Wayne Golf Course. Vegetation will help shade and cool and clean a small stream emptying into the Sammamish River. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of riverbanks and host insects’ young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell Park. Activities will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
Date: Feb. 21st
Time: 10am – 1pm
Join us for a habitat restoration event!
Endangered Southern Resident killer whales depend on salmon as a critical prey resource from watersheds in Puget Sound and beyond. Salmon use the Sammamish River as a migratory corridor. Improving the water quality in the river will help both struggling salmon populations and orcas. Join us to care for new native plantings at the former Wayne Golf Course. Vegetation will help shade and cool and clean a small stream emptying into the Sammamish River. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of riverbanks and host insects’ young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell Park. Activities will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
Date: Feb. 7th
Time: 10am – 1pm
Whale Scout is partnering with the City of Bothell to put together an MLK Day of Service! Together we can all make an impact on our environment and the wildlife we depend on!
Join us for a time to restore vital salmon habitat while coming together with your community, hearing from guest speakers, and enjoying a warm beverage!
Endangered Southern Resident killer whales depend on salmon as a critical prey resource from watersheds in Puget Sound and beyond. Salmon use the Sammamish River as a migratory corridor. Improving the water quality in the river will help both struggling salmon populations and orcas. Join us to care for new native plantings at the former Wayne Golf Course. Vegetation will help shade and cool and clean a small stream emptying into the Sammamish River. Healthy riparian forests control erosion of riverbanks and host insects’ young salmon need early in life. The former Wayne Golf Course features nearly a mile of shoreline and is the largest City of Bothell Park. Activities will take place on the west side or “front nine.”
Consider signing up your household for a fun, educational, family outing. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, under 18 need a signed release form by a parent. Meet at the clubhouse parking area (16721 96th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Please sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you 2-3 days prior to the event.
