(19_999%20x%209%20in)%20(18_5%20x%205_5%20in)%20(3).png)
.png)
The Center for Whale Research has maintained an unbroken record of every birth, death, and movement of the Southern Resident killer whales for half a century now. This data is the scientific foundation for some of the world's most unique marine mammal scientific discoveries.
Fifty years of research and monitoring has allowed CWR to establish a conservation crisis, trace its effects across generations, and reveal the depth and complexity of their social lives, discoveries that are only possible because the science never stopped.
As we continue into the next fifty years of work, our focus is a return to persistent population growth, recovering them beyond the reach of the endangered species list.
The next 50 years will be defined not only by what we study, but by what we help change. Together, we can help make that change possible.
September 17, 2026
50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
Join us for an evening celebrating 50 years of research, education and conservation.
Tickets Available Soon!
The Next 50 Years
_edited.jpg)
Fifty years of data is a scientific inheritance unlike any other. We’re using it to make new discoveries, develop solutions, and ensure the Southern Residents have the research-backed advocacy they need to recover.
The Southern Residents have captivated the world for a reason. We will continue exploring the mysteries of their lives and sharing that story in ways that invite everyone from the community who has cared about them for years to newcomers to care deeply about their future.
Understanding is only the beginning. We are actively engaging in restoration efforts that protect what exists today and contribute to real, meaningful solutions for the whales and the ecosystems they depend on.
Invest in the Next Generation of Discovery
As we look ahead to the next 50 years, we approach this work with both urgency and hope.
Urgency because the Southern Residents remain critically endangered, and we cannot afford to break the uninterrupted record of research and monitoring that is essential to understanding and protecting them.
Hope because five decades of science have shown us what is possible. We are now using our unrivaled knowledge not just to understand these whales, but to strive for their survival through hands-on conservation, salmon recovery efforts, and advocacy.
Through this work, we are already seeing tangible signs of progress and proof that positive change is possible.
We're raising $1 million during our anniversary year to support the work needed to protect and recover Southern Resident killer whales for generations to come.
Our vision is a future in which Southern Resident killer whales thrive alongside humanity in a restored Salish Sea ecosystem, and our immediate focus is a return to persistent population growth—births outnumbering deaths.
Join us in shaping the future of the Southern Residents Today!
-
Attend CWR’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
-
Consider a Legacy Gift for Generations of Impact
For press inquiries, please contact Natalie@whaleresearch.com