2008 Magnuson Sound Legacy Award

Ken Blacomb

For the past thirty years, Ken Balcomb, founder of the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor, on San Juan Island, has devoted himself to understanding and educating the public about whales.

The Center for Whale Research is responsible for the Southern Resident Orca Whale identification charts that are updated annually.

Ken has done more to educate us about these whales than any other individual. He goes about his work quietly and tirelessly.

“Ken is ‘the real deal’ when it comes to being an expert about our Southern Resident Orcas, which are now on the endangered list,”says Bill Wright, who nominated Mr. Balcomb.