Keeping a healthy ocean with an intact food web will ensure life for generations to come. However, with climate change, warming and acidifying oceans, dams, farmed fish diseases, micro-plastics and environmental toxicants that accrete in the tissues of wildlife, we have our work cut out for us.
Our primary approach to repairing historical environmental damage and preventing contemporary damage from expanding is through education, building the next generation of stewards and on-the-ground actions that make a difference for all of us. See our list of accomplishments below.
2021 - On Sacred Ground speaks to 300 9th grade biology students at Lynnwood High School on the importance of weaving together Salmon, Orca & Coast Salish Tribal Reconciliation
300 9th graders had an opportunity to witness the Blue Heron Canoe family perform an Orca honoring dance and to hear from keynote speakers Dr. Deborah Giles of Wild Orca, Sam Barr of Samish and Stillaguamish Nation, Mike Evans, chair of the Snohomish Tribe, and Sarah Hanson, On Sacred Ground Executive Director. The students have a specific ecology unit of study titled, "The Salmon/Orca Dilemma" and tied what they learned from keynote speakers into their studies.
2018 - On Sacred Ground Facilitates 1st Orca Recovery Day on San Juan Island in partnership with Puget Sound Conservation Districts

Sarah Hanson facilitates a beach clean-up and 3 keynote speakers at Jackson Beach, including Dr. Deborah Giles, Science and Research Director of Wild Orca, Sam Barr, Samish Nation member and Stillaguamish Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, and Stephanie Solien, co-chair of Governor Inslee's Southern Resident Orca Recovery Task Force. Photo above taken by the Backbone Campaign of participants at Jackson Beach