By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Hundreds of whale and science enthusiasts this weekend will dive into WhaleFest which kicks off tonight with an art show, reception and film festival.
Alex Thorne, WhaleFest and business development director of the Sitka Sound Science Center, said about 300 people – half of them from 14 other states – have registered for the science part of the conference. Fifty high school and university students from Fairbanks, Fort Lewis (Colo.), Metlakatla, Gustavus and Yakutat are among the participants.
This year’s theme is “Mysteries of Our Changing Seas.”
“It’s so evident that things are changing on our ocean, living as close to the ocean as we do,” Thorne said. “This theme was taking a look at that.”
Alex Thorne welcomes WhaleFest attendees this afternoon at Harrigan Centennial Hall. (Sentinel Photo)
The conference runs today through Sunday with most events taking place at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
WhaleFest organizers like to say it has something for everyone. For example, there’s tonight’s art show at 5:30 and film fest at 6:30; Friday night’s WhaleFest Grind (a special edition of the traditional Sitka talent show); a road race at 10 a.m. Saturday, and the Feeding Grounds seafood banquet Saturday night.
And throughout the weekend of events the WhaleFest Market and cafe will be open for business at Centennial Hall.
Lisa Busch, executive director of the sponsoring organization, the Sitka Sound Science Center, said the event has changed in some ways over the years.
“It’s still a celebration of the marine life and the essence is still about celebrating science,” she said. “But over the years we’ve been able to constantly make adjustments to keep things fresh, and respond to the changing audiences and participant feedback, while still maintaining a basic framework. Like now, I think we have a little bit more of an understanding that science does not happen in a vacuum, it happens in a cultural context. We now encourage scientist presenters to show an understanding of that. And our educational programs that are occurring alongside of WhaleFest also emphasize that.”
While there are a number of social events, the Symposium is called by organizers “the heart of WhaleFest.” The series of 45-minute lectures give the public the chance to hear the latest research and information from experts in their fields.
“Even if you don’t think you are a science person but you have an interest, these talks are geared toward those who have an interest but are not scientists,” Thorne said.
Busch agreed. “The festival is an opportunity for people who might not think of themselves as ‘science folks’ to come and hear about interesting research that is happening around the world,” she said. “These are not technical talks. It’s also an opportunity for scientists to express themselves clearly to the people who fund their work – the taxpayers.”
The reception at 5:30 and film festival at 6:30 tonight are free and open to all.
“I love seeing the breadth of the community that comes to Sitka WhaleFest,” Busch said. “There are all kinds of people. ... I love seeing artists at WhaleFest events because I think science can really inspire artists on many levels. Or at least that’s my hope because as a science person I’m often inspired by art.”
Members of the public can register for the entire WhaleFest, buy a day pass, or buy a ticket for an individual lecture. Throughout the weekend, there are other events open to the public, such as whalewatching cruises, the WhaleFest Grind on Friday, a road race and walk Saturday, the Feeding Grounds banquet Saturday night and a concert by chanteyman Don Sineti Sunday afternoon. The market opens Friday and closes Sunday, and a silent fundraising auction throughout the weekend.
Tickets for the events are available at Centennial Hall.
Below are two schedules. The first is the schedule of talks by scientists; the second schedule lists the other events. All are open to the public.
Each day of Symposium talks has a different theme:
Friday
Day 1 - Indicators
1 to 1:45 p.m. - Keisha Bahr, “Corals as Indicators of Change”
2 to 2:45 p.m. - Janet Neilson, “Humpback Whales in Hot Water”
3 to 3:45 p.m. - Mayumi Arimitsu, “Forage Fish in Changing Seas”
Saturday
Day 2 - Puzzle Pieces
1 to 1:45 p.m. - Madison Kosma, “Whale Flippers and a Bird’s-Eye View”
2 to 2:45 p.m. - Kristin Laidre, “The Mysterious Narwhal”
3 to 3:45 p.m. - Robert Suydam, “Hot Water in the Arctic”
8:15 p.m. - Jackie Hildering - Banquet Keynote Speaker, “Ocean Wonders”
Sunday
Day 3 - Impacts
1 to 1:45 p.m. - Rob Suryan, “Changing Climate, Changing Ecosystems”
2 to 2:45 p.m.- Michael Castellini, “One Ocean, One Health, One You”
3 to 3:45 p.m. - Ocean Bowl Exhibition
Other events
Tonight
5:30 p.m.- Art and Reception
6:30 p.m. - Film Festival
Friday
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Market and Cafe
12:45 p.m. - Opening remarks K’asheechtlan - Louise Brady
1 to 4 p.m. - Symposium
5 to 7 p.m. - Preregistration WhaleFest Walk and Run
6 to 7 p.m. - Reception at SSSC (registrants only)
7:30 p.m. - WhaleFest Grind
Saturday
8:45 to 11:30 a.m. - Cruise
9 a.m. - Walk/Run registration
10 a.m. - Walk/Run at Whale Park
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Market and Cafe
1 to 4 - Symposium
6 p.m. - Feeding Grounds Banquet
Sunday
8:45 to 11:30 a.m. - Wildlife Cruise
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Market and Cafe
Noon - Film “One Health, One Future”
1 p.m. - Symposium
4:15 p.m. - Don Sineti Sea Chantey concert
4:30 p.m. - Alaska Airlines drawing
