Whale license plate generates over $300K for Marine Mammal Institute
This is something all Oregonoians should be extremely proud of, nearly 10,000 Oregonians have purchased gray whale license plates since they became available last year at the DMV. People that have grabbed the plate have helped generate hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the Marine Mammal Institute based at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon State University said Wednesday.
“The license plate, with the image of a gray whale mother and her calf, went on sale at Oregon Department of Motor Vehicle offices on Feb. 1, 2019. The plates cost $40 to order or renew, with approximately $35 of each sale going to OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute, “Through December 2019, the license plates generated about $300,000 for the institute.”
I love this cause we can see the funds going directly to the institute to help the Mammals that we all love to see when they breach off the Oregon Coast. If you have never been keep in mind whale watching season runs from late March to June when the whales migrate North back to Alaska. On each trip, approximately 18,000 gray whales pass close to the Oregon Coast.
Depoe Bay is your best bet for whale watching excursions, but there are a few other excellent place to see whales cruise along the coast. I’ve include a few stops for you to check out below if you have never had the chance make 2020 the year to get out and enjoy the beauties .
- Ecola State Park
- Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
- Cape Lookout State Park
- Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint
- Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint
- Cape Foulweather
- Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area
- Yaquina Head
- Cape Perpetua
- Sea Lion Caves
- Umpqua Lighthouse
- Cape Blanco Lighthouse