Launched in 2016, Wonders of the Salish Sea (WSS) was held in-person in Vancouver BC until 2019. Cancelled in 2020 due to Covid 19, WSS is now being offered virtually making it available to all residents of the Salish Sea and beyond.

The program is designed to increase awareness of this uniquely biodiverse and fragile area, home to over 8 million people. By discovering a sense of awe and wonder in our natural environment, we can connect to the Salish Sea ecosystem in deep and meaningful ways. Together, we can work to protect this precious inland sea for future generations.

The program offers the opportunity to learn from local experts who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and experience. Each year, the program introduces new topics and speakers. The program is organized by a dedicated group of marine biologists, naturalists, and enthusiasts.

Past participants have said:

Absolutely wonderful, and at such an economical cost. The speakers were so wonderful, so engaging, so knowledgeable, and everything they shared is very much appreciated.

I think the ripple effects of this kind of course cannot be tabulated…  eyes being opened, new information making one receptive to more information, and the sheer delight and awe of being in the realm of the natural world and all it has to offer.

The Salish Sea, beautifully depicted in this map by Stefan Freelan, consists of the Strait of Georgia in BC, Puget Sound in WA, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca that straddles the CDN/US border.

Values of the Wonders of the Salish Sea Program

• Acknowledgement of the ancestral, traditional, and unceded Aboriginal territories of the Coast Salish Peoples;
• Respect for inclusivity and accessibility;
• Respect for students’ previous knowledge and experience;
• Respect for the beginner learner; and
• Welcoming of all viewpoints.

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
Jacques Yves Cousteau

Photos courtesy of Susan Banjavich and Heather Wardle