Student's Photo of a Whale Breaching

Media Studies Educator Kara Clayton shares her passion for Orcas and their struggle for survival with her students.  For the past three years she has brought a contingent of budding broadcasters to Harrison House Suites and Tucker House Inn to learn about the whales and their connection with our precious ecosystem.  Her ultimate goal is to have the students produce media  messages which they can spread around the world to create an awareness of the Orcas and how human actions affect them.

Students Captured More Than Whales on the San Juan Visit

“We might not all live near the Salish Sea but we are all connected by our habits,” Kara remarks.  “For example, if I dump something into the Rouge River which runs through the Detroit area, it may eventually impact a living creature in a body of water far away from Michigan.”  The students will produce a minimum of eight public service announcements and news/informational videos.

Of course, just getting 13 students and four chaperones all the way from Detroit to San Juan Island was no inexpensive feat.  This dedicated bunch of students sold cookies, held bowl-a-thon fundraisers, sponsored bottle and can drives, and video taped and edited events, all to raise the $25,000 price tag for the trip.

Student Photo of Harbor Seal

Though their trip is now captured on video and and they are back at home, their work on this project was not ended.  There was still an editing retreat planned to pull the elements together.  The results hopefully will be distributed on the internet, to San Juan Island’s Whale Museum, to Orcanetwork, and to anyone else who might be interested.   For more information about the project, check out their website, http://southredford.net.  During the school year they post their daily show on Facebook. You can also contact Kara at clayka01@southredford.net, and can see more of their photos on Photobucket

Kara notes, “This was not a commercial effort. It was an effort driven by love and stewardship for our planet.”  Brilliant!

The Tell-Tale Whale Tail Ends the Breach

You can read on-going news about the island’s top restaurant at Cohorestaurant.com and Facebook; or follow news on our two inns at Harrison House Suites and on Facebook; and Tucker House on Facebook.

Here are Lily and Maya, Erin, our innkeeper’s dogs. They are really feeling right at home these days.

Melanie, one of our repeat guests to the Inns, sent us these photos. I love the ferry photo. Of all the shots that I have seen or our Washington State Icon, this is such an interesting perspective. The tulip fields below, from Skagit Valley, are perfectly timed for the tuilip festival which begins on April 1st. Thanks Melanie for sharing.

Lodging and Dining Friday Harbor, WA San Juan Island
Harrison House Suites and Tucker House Inn
Coho Restaurant