Whale Watch Week in Oregon, Dec. 27

Bring your binoculars for a chance to see Gray whales passing by the Oregon coast during Winter Whale Watch Week Dec. 26-31. Trained volunteers from the Whale Watching Spoken Here program will be stationed at one of 24 designated whale watch sites 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. daily to help visitors learn about the whales’ migration and feeding habits and offer tips on how to spot them. A map of the watch sites is available online at www.whalespoken.org. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will also be open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily during the Watch Week. The Whale Watching Center has interpretive exhibits on whales, “whale size” windows with panoramic ocean views, and rangers on hand to answer questions. The Whale Watching Center is located at 119 SW Hwy. 101 in Depoe Bay. Those who would like to become a Whale Watching Spoken Here volunteer can visit www.whalespoken.org to learn about the program and sign up for upcoming training sessions to be held Jan. 11 in Brookings and Feb. 8 in Nehalem. The trainings will teach you to locate and identify whales as well as help to educate visitors. Training is free if you pre-register and sign up to volunteer at one of the watch sites for at least two days during the Spring Whale Watch Week March 22-29, 2014. OPRD coordinates both the Winter and Spring Whale Watch Weeks in partnership with Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center and Washington State Parks. More information about the Whale Watching Spoken Here program is available at www.whalespoken.org or by calling (541) 765-3304.