Written by Emily Moss, WDC Campaign Officer:

We thought we were pushing our luck hoping for 60 participants and everyone in our office reached out to people and organizations they knew in an effort to meet that goal. On Saturday morning, I was in disbelief when we had 126 runners lined up to start the first Race to Save a Species 5k.

Here in Massachusetts, the right whale is the state’s designated marine mammal. This is because of its long history in these waters and, because now that there are fewer than 500 remaining, we are so very lucky to still have them in the bay during their seasonal migration. Most people will never get the chance to see a North Atlantic right whale, let alone watch them from their backyards. So it was truly heartening to stand in front of the surprisingly large crowd on Saturday and thank everyone for being there and supporting WDC in their efforts to protect this critically endangered species.

While this was our first race, our organization has had an office in Plymouth MA for 8 years. However most of our work keeps us in the office or out on the water and very few residents of Massachusetts know who we are or what we do. More importantly, there have been North Atlantic right whales travelling through Cape Cod Bay for as long as people have been here to observe them and too many people have no idea that they are here and that their species is in peril. The ACT RIGHT NOW campaign was launched last December to change that; to rally support to make sure this species can survive. The Race to Save a Species was a part of this campaign meant to bring Massachusetts citizens together in support of these efforts and to let people know that WDC is here and doing important work that everyone can be a part of.  Because of the overwhelming success of this year's Race to Save a Species, we have already set the date for next year's race- Saturday, May 3rd!

To learn more about what you can do, please visit whales.org, contact us at (508) 746-2522 or contact@whales.org

We have been lucky enough to have Emily Ryane Moss return this winter as second year intern. Emily has been working on many different projects this winter and I'm sure you will hear much about her in the future, but this week she's blogging about the joys of Right Whale Day at the New Bedford Whaling Museum:

Back in 2007, WDC and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary were lucky enough to enlist students from Falmouth and New Bedford Vocational High Schools to help build two life-size inflatable right whales. Using garden tarps and lots of tape, the inflatable whales are built to the actual measurements of a real-life right whale, named Delilah, who was killed by a vessel strike.  Since then, more than 6,000 students have entered Delilah to learn about right whales and what they can do to ensure them a safe future.  She has traveled to Canada, Georgia, Rhode Island and throughout Massachusetts.  Like her namesake, Delilah symbolizes not only the threats, but the hope for this species.

On Monday, we brought Delilah to the Right Whale Day celebration at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. I love events that we get to take Delilah to because she captures the children's imaginations and gets them excited. It also allows us the opportunity to teach in a different way. For example, one of the highlights of my day was convincing nine children that we just had to lay down, head to foot in a line, to see how many of us it would take to equal Delilah’s length.... and we still weren’t long enough! Sometimes kids just have a good time doing silly things, like spinning in circles....because everything is more fun inside a whale! Other times they are really curious about who Delilah was and want to hear more about the biology and natural history of whales. Either way, Delilah inspires awe and appreciation for not only her species, but all whales.

One of the other things that I loved about Right Whale Day at the New Bedford Whaling Museum is that a number of different organizations that work to keep right whales safe and protected get to come together to educate. And of course, I get to be impressed and awed by the children, not just by how much fun they are having, but also by how much they remember about what they have previously learned about whales. Whether it was something they learned in school (even last year) or at a visit at the museum a few months ago, the children really retain so many facts, stories, and information about whales. I enjoyed talking to all the kids about which types of whales were their favorite and why. They were also full of questions, ranging from whether dolphins and whales were related (great question) to what type of plankton right whales feed on and how baleen works.

Events like this also give us a great opportunity to talk to people about how endangered North Atlantic right whales are, the threats they face and what we can all do to help. We had a great response from people wanting to get involved; people signed petitions and asked what more they could do. It was really heartening to see how interested people are in making a difference and saving this majestic species from extinction. We are hoping that you can follow in their footsteps- sign our petition and then tell your friends all about the issues they face.

Several months ago, the staff of the WDC North American (NA) office came up with the idea of a developing a “Fun Run” to promote Act Right Now, our campaign to save endangered North Atlantic right whales.  The 5K run was purposely scheduled for May 4th, a time of good weather, a date close to Massachusetts Whale Awareness Day (May 2nd), and a short time after the Boston Marathon.  

For those of us in the Boston area, the running of the marathon sparks the athlete in each of us.  Each year, a legion of new runners hits the pavement in April, testing the waters to see if, someday, they too, might be competing in the legendary race.  What better way to start than a fun 5K, we thought.  

And then, yesterday, tragedy struck in Boston.  At least three bystanders were killed and another 170+ injured as they cheered runners crossing the finish line.  Each of us in the NA office had friends and/or family either participating in, or watching the race.  We are lucky, none of our family and friends were injured but none of us are unharmed.

For those of us that grew up around Boston, the Boston Marathon is no different than New Year’s.  It’s a celebration, a mark in time, a date that we eagerly await each year.  “Heart break hill”, as it is known, is a location during the race where runners are said to face and overcome their exhaustion and power on.  This year’s heartbreak was markedly different.  But like the runners on the hill, we will face this tragedy and power on.  

We will not be canceling our run. By holding our Race to Save a Species we will run not just for right whales, but to honor the families struck by this tragedy.  We are a community and organization that does not run from difficulties, but runs and works for something.  Thanks to all who have reached out to us during this difficult time and to the supporters who continue to motivate us to run.  

Join the Race to Save a Species on May 4th in America's Hometown. We are proud to present a 5K beginning and ending at Memorial Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts. 

The Race to Save a Species will benefit WDC's ACT RIGHT NOW campaign to increase protections for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. So come run for right whales and help save this iconic species from extinction! We are looking forward to bringing the community together for a day of fun and education while rallying around critical protection for this endangered species. Directly after the race, we will be throwing a WHALE AWARENESS DAY PARTY inside Memorial Hall with live music, table after table of educational whale activities, raffles, and our life-sized inflatable right whale,Delilah.

You can register for the 5k and Fun Run online. Prices are $25 for adults and $10 under 14. Also, all participants that register before April 26th will be entered in a raffle to win a WDC whale adoption!

Bring your family and friends for a fun morning and help save the North Atlantic right whale from extinction. We hope to see you there!