By John Rosapepe, Pacific Northwest Representative

The Endangered Species helped sponsor, plan  and coordinate professional kayaker, artist, and Southern Resident Killer Whale advocate Gabe Newton’s three day sixty five mile  journey from Seattle to Olympia this March.

Gabe personally delivered over 1,500 postcards and petition signatures to  Governor Ferguson’s office that implored him to be a leader and commit to actions to protect and aid the recovery of the highly endangered orca population as well as the salmon on which they depend.

Our volunteer group the Snake River Savers collected  600 of these signatures by reaching  out to friends, using social media, and  tabling  at neighborhood events.

Twenty of us met Gabe at Seattle’s Pioneer Square’s Habitat Beach to express our gratitude and help send him off on his journey for the orcas and salmon.

After visiting the governor’s office, Gabe and Endangered Species Coalition members  celebrated an evening of Art and Poetry: For the Love of Orcas with ninety people at Olympia’s Traditions Fair Trade Cafe.