| Volunteering |
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| How to become a volunteer |
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 Whale Watching Spoken Here® is currently the largest whale watching organization in the world. For more than 30 years our trained volunteers have helped visitors watch whales at 24 sites in three states along the Pacific Northwest coast. We definitely know whale watching.
Many of our volunteers are local to their areas, but we have volunteers that come from all over the United States to be a part of this program. New volunteers must initially complete the training provided by top whale researchers before helping at their chosen sites. The program now holds three training sessions at different locations along the coast to make it easier for volunteers to be trained without having to travel to Newport. Trained volunteers may attend additional training sessions at no charge to keep up with changes in whale research.
Many trained volunteers plan their vacations to come and show visitors the gray whales. It is truly a rewarding and fun experience. Many of our volunteers come back year after year to the same “favorite” site, while other go to a new site each visit.
If you would like to become a whale watch volunteer, decide which training you can attend, figure out which site or sites you would like to work, fill out the registration form on this page and mail or fax it to us.
We look forward to having you join us!
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| Training & Volunteering |
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2011-2012 Volunteer Training
Dec. 10, 2011: Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport
Jan. 21, 2012: Bullards Beach State Park Meeting Hall
Feb. 11, 2012: Nehalem Bay State Park Meeting Hall
2011-12 Call for Volunteers Registration Packet
With pre-registration the class training is free and includes two field guides, a nametag and a training manual. You need only take the training once, but repeats are welcome! After your initial training you may audit the classes for free, but be sure to pre-register.
Volunteers are expected to work at a watch site a minimum of two days. Although the schedule is 10 a.m.-1 p.m., actual volunteering time includes setting up the site with a sign and assembling the data at the end of the day. Many volunteers work additional days and become "regulars" at particular sites! They are super! We appreciate their dedication.
Free camping in coastal campsites (for tents or campers only) is available for volunteers during training weekends and watch weeks in the nearest state parks.
If you are pre-registered for a class or watch week, you may make free campsite reservations by contacting Gretchen Mills at Reservations Northwest at 1-888-953-7677. For Washington reservations at Ft. Canby State Park for watch week, contact Park Ranger Tracy Zuern at 360-642-3078. California State Parks cannot offer free or discounted campsites at this time. For yurt or other campsite reservations, phone 1-800-452-5687 (regular fees apply). Visit oregonstateparks.org for other camping details and online reservations.
- The Embarcadero on the Bayfront in Newport is now offering a substantial discount on rooms overlooking the Yaquina Bay for training or watch week volunteers. Please contact reservations at 1-800-547-4779, Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tell them you are interested in room rates during whale watch training or watch weeks for participating volunteers.
- Active whale watch volunteers receive 10 percent discount on all merchandise at Yaquina Lights, Inc. stores during watch weeks:
- Yaquina Bay Lighthouse store open 12 p.m.-4 p.m. daily.
- Yaquina Head Interpretive Store open 10 p.m.-4 p.m.daily.
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| Registration |
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Pre-registration is required for training classes
2011 Call for Volunteers Registration Packet
You may register for training and/or watch week by mail, e-mail, phone, or fax, or dropping in to visit us at the Whale Watching Center along the seawall in Depoe Bay.
Registration form includes information about training times, locations and agenda. It also has a map of 24 watching sites and dates of Winter and Spring weeks with a form for signing up to volunteer. If you sign up and volunteer at least two days, the training is free.
With pre-registration, you will also receive two publications as part of the training materials:
a whale watching reference manual and a waterproof field guide: "Marine Mammals of the North Pacific."
Previous volunteers on our mailing list will be mailed registration materials in the fall of each year or you can download the 2011-12 Call for Volunteers Registration Packet and sign up today.
Whale Watch Volunteer Coordinator
Dave Newton
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
198 NE 123rd Street
Newport, Oregon 97365
(541)765-3407/3304
fax (541)765-3402
e-mail: whale.watching@state.or.us
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| Program Sponsors |
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Site materials and logistical support during training weekends and watch weeks is generously provided by:
- U.S. Cellular
- Shoreline Education for Awareness
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Yaquina Lights, Inc.
- Lookout Observatory Gift Shop, Cape Foulweather
- Newport Public Library, Newport
- Oregon Coast Aquarium
- Shoreline Education for Awareness
- Haystack Rock Awareness Program
- Oregon Sea Grant
- Elizabeth St Inn, Newport
- NorthcoastMarine Mammal Center, Crescent City, Calif.
- Sea Lion Caves, Florence, Ore
- Inn at Spanish Head, Lincoln City, Ore
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