October 29, 6:30-8:00pm
Location: Valley Library

Come learn about Southeast Alaska's whaling history coupled with modern efforts to better understand and protect these animals through health investigations and whale-watching best practices.

As part of the NEA Big Read, the City Museum is hosting a City Salon with Aleria Jensen, Deputy of NOAA Fisheries, Sadie Wright, Protected Species Biologist, and Suzie Teerlink, Marine Mammal Specialist. This program will focuses on the history of whaling in SE Alaska, the biology and health of our whales, and best practices for whale watching. In addition, City Museum Director, Beth Weigel, will talk about the book, In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex, by Nathaniel Philbrick.

The NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment of the Arts. Each year, participating libraries across the nation choose a book and encourage community members to read and participate in library sponsored events. This year, the Juneau Public Libraries chose the book, In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex, by Nathaniel Philbrick. Free copies of the book are available at the City Museum and at the Juneau Public Libraries.