Saturday night’s 10th anniversary celebration for West Seattle-based Killer Whale Tales was in an unusual – but thoroughly appropriate – setting: The Seattle Aquarium, after-hours. Killer Whale Tales is an educational program led by West Seattleite Jeff Hogan – who often sends first word of local orca sightings to share with WSB’ers. He presented a slideshow to last night’s partygoers:

WSB contributing photographer Ellen Cedergreen reports that the slideshow’s focus was on educating kids, to ensure the future of the whales. Jeff explained what he does in the classroom with the kids – not just interactive talks, but also having kids take pledge sheets home and fill them out and then send them back to KWT. They pledge to use less water, learn how to properly dispose of toxic waste, how to use less electricity, etc. They are also encouraged to get adults to pledge the same. In addition to Jeff’s presentation, the party included a fundraising auction, with items including a Killer Whale Tales San Juan Islands Orca Expedition. And there was more exhibit viewing – otter-feeding! Particularly a hit with young eventgoers.

There was also the chance to meet more volunteers working to educate people about local marine life, like another West Seattleite, Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail:

Last night, we also learned more details about upcoming events, including one on which Donna and Jeff are collaborating (we’d heard a bit while out whale-spotting last week): On November 7th at Alki Bathhouse, you’re invited to a “Welcome the Whales” Environmental Fair. Jeff is scheduled to give a talk as part of it; Donna will be talking about the Neighborhood Matching Fund grant that The Whale Trail has won to install local whale-viewing signs and to start an orca-steward training program. More on that, and the event, soon. (KWT, by the way, is a nonprofit, and donations are tax-deductible – here’s how to help, any time.)