Celebrate Granny's Birthday at Lime Kiln Park on July 2

Come celebrate the estimated 100 year birthday of J2, Granny !!!

The Center for Whale Research is hosting a celebration of the estimated birth year of J2, one of the oldest females in the southern resident killer whale population. Based on J2's apparent age at the inception of the Orca Survey study in 1976, she is estimated to have been born in 1911 making 2011 her 100th year, and although we do not know her exact age she is likely the oldest living whale among J,K, and L pods. This celebration marks 100 years of evolving interaction between humans and killer whales in the ecosystem now known as the Salish Sea.

The event will celebrate the estimated century long life of J2 and will provide more about the obstacles she, and all the SRKWs have faced in their struggle to survive the changing world.

Bring a picnic lunch to the park, and enjoy an afternoon of music by the Kevin Carr Family Band followed by a talk from Ken Balcomb, director of the Center for Whale Research.

There will be children's games and activities provided by Jeff Hogan's Killer Whale Tales. The Salish Sea Association of Marine Naturalists (SSAMN ) will also be hosting an informational booth offering tips and opportunities to foster stewardship of the Salish Sea environment on which the killer whales depend. Additionally, the Center for Whale Research Information Station will be open to provide education about the local killer whales and the Orca Survey project.

J2 100th Birthday!
WHEN: July 2, 2011, 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Lime Kiln Point State Park, San Juan Island
WHO: Hosted by the Center for Whale Research and supported by:

•Kevin Carr Family Band
•Killer Whale Tales - Environmental Science Though Storytelling
•SSAMN - Salish Sea Association of Marine Naturalists
•Orca Network - Connecting whales and people in the Pacific Northwest

Because of limited parking, please consider car pooling or using San Juan Transit.