Dates
-
Host Institution(s)
Sitka WhaleFest
Tour Downloads
Presentation Summary (PDF - 47 KB)46.98 KB

Dr. Terrence Cole traveled from Fairbanks to Sitka, Alaska to participate in the Sitka WhaleFest (SWF). The SWF is a celebration of the diverse and abundant marine mammals population. From mid-September until mid-January, the pristine waters of Sitka Sound are home to many humpback whales. Biologists believe the whales are building up food reserves prior to their migration to tropical waters. See more on the SWF here: http://www.sitkawhalefest.org.

Dr. Cole was kept very busy on the tour from Thursday through Sunday evening. He interacted with individuals during the entire time. There were informal meals and structured class time after each daily symposium with students as well as between presentations. Some of the highlights of his tour are included below.

On Thursday 10 November Dr. Cole presented to 40 students from Mt. Edgecumbe High and 20 community members. His presentation was entitled "Historical Whaling Practices and Other Maritime Activities".

Friday through Sunday Dr. Cole participated in a three day symposium with other invited speakers on each afternoon. On Sunday, Dr. Cole presented "Abolish Southeast Alaska: A Modest Price to Pay for World Peace," to an audience of 250 people (Grades 6 - Graduate and post doctoral students) as well as representatives from the following organizations: Mt. Edgecumbe High School, University of Alaska Southeast Sitka, Ketchikan and Juneau campuses, Barrow Middle School, North Slope Borough Intern from Dartmouth College, Southeast Island School District students Coffman Cove, Nakadi, Thorne Bay, Whale Pass, North Pacific Research Board, Tenakee Springs School District, Sitka High School, Sitka Blatchley, Middle School, Sheldon Jackson State Museum, UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Science and Institute of Arctic Biology, and the Scripts Institution of Oceanography. Local government officials also attended along with a variety of representatives of local non-profits and the community at large. The Sitka Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary 6th grade class was also present.

During both days of the weekend, Dr. Cole also spoke on morning Whale Watching Cruises available to symposium participants. The subject of his presentation was Maritime History.