Belugas Count! 2026

2026 Belugas Count! Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Belugas Count! activities are included with regular AWCC admission. Spot. Count. Learn. Help Protect Cook Inlet Belugas. Celebrate Cook Inlet belugas with AWCC! Belugas Count! is an annual celebration dedicated to the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale. Join AWCC staff, volunteers, and fellow beluga enthusiasts for whale watching, hands-on activities, educational programs, and opportunities to learn how you can help support the conservation of this incredible Alaska species. Belugas Count! brings together members of the public to foster local pride, awareness, and stewardship of Cook Inlet beluga whales. This NOAA Fisheries-led event is a collaboration among government agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, Tribes, industry, zoos and aquariums, and individuals across the country. AWCC is proud to be a planning partner for Belugas Count! AWCC Director of Education Lily Grbavach serves as a lead planning partner for this annual event. Beluga Monitoring at The Point 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Grab your binoculars and keep your eyes on Cook Inlet! Join AWCC staff and Alaska Beluga Monitoring Partnership volunteers as we watch for endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales and record beluga and environmental observations that contribute to ongoing conservation efforts. Help AWCC observers keep watch on the water, spot and count belugas, and learn more about this unique and endangered population. High Tide at AWCC: +31.25 ft. at 10:13 AM Binoculars recommended! Beluga Activities at the Matson Ocean Education Center 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Dive into the world of Cook Inlet belugas with AWCC Naturalists! Explore how belugas eat, communicate, identify one another, and thrive in Alaska’s cold waters. Make beluga hats, snacks, puppets, and more through hands-on, beluga-themed activities designed for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages. Fun for the whole family! Beluga Conservation Station at the Be Wild Gift Shop 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Stop by and talk with AWCC staff about endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales, the challenges facing this unique population, ongoing recovery efforts, and ways you can contribute to their conservation. Belugas Count! Throughout Cook Inlet Members of the public are invited to join beluga experts from NOAA Fisheries and partner organizations at outdoor viewing stations throughout Cook Inlet. At participating stations, you can: Help spot and count Cook Inlet beluga whales Learn about Cook Inlet beluga life history and adaptations Discover ongoing efforts to recover the population Learn how you can help support beluga conservation Enjoy fun, family-friendly educational activities Learn More About Belugas Count! https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/endangered-species-conservation/belugas-count Learn About AWCC’s Cook Inlet Beluga Conservation Contributions https://alaskawildlife.org/research/cook-inlet-beluga-whales/ Belugas Count Dawn Gerety Beluga Mural at The Point Staff and guests monitoring for belugas. Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Lily & Howie Beluga Monitoring Belugas Count! Belugas at The Point – AWCC Belugas at The Point – AWCC Beluga in Turnagain Arm AWCC Guests Watching Belugas Beluga from The Point – AWCC Underwater Beluga Beluga Monitoring Field Trip to AWCC Help spread the word about Belugas Count! and share the flyer below.