The Folks Story

Friends of Lime Kiln State Park Founding Celebration, September 2011

Founder Erin Corra with Ralph Munro, Fmr. Secretary of State for Washington State; Ken Balcomb Founder, Center for Whale Research

Lime Kiln Point – Our Favorite! Ralph and Karen Munro

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The FOLKS Founding Story

Enthusiasm for educational programs caused Erin Corra to found the Friends of Lime Kiln Society

In 2010, budget cuts at the state level resulted in Erin losing her position as Interpretive Specialist at Lime Kiln State Park, a role she had held since 2007. During this challenging period, the Center for Whale Research provided crucial support as a fiscal agent, helping sustain the park’s educational programs. This interim solution paved the way for a more permanent approach, leading to the establishment of the Friends of Lime Kiln Society (FOLKS) in the fall of 2011, with Erin as its Founder and Program Director.

FOLKS operates in partnership with the Washington State Parks Foundation. Lime Kiln Point State Park serves as an essential site for public education and the promotion of conservation efforts for the Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW). The proximity to these majestic creatures motivates visitors to reconsider their environmental impact and adopt more sustainable practices. Annually, the park draws over 200,000 visitors from more than 40 countries, who come to learn about and observe the SRKW, underscoring its importance as a vital educational and conservation resource. FOLKS is dedicated to the passionate protection of both this unique educational habitat and the whales it serves to protect.

Vision, Mission & Goals

Vision:

FOLKS strives to preserve, restore and enhance Lime Kiln Point State Park as a living laboratory for ecosystem science, understanding and appreciation and to inspire the feeling of awe into memorable actions!

Mission

Friends of Lime Kiln Society’s mission is to provide a unique experience for visitors through the design & development of educational programs and activities related to Lime Kiln Point State Park’s extraordinary location, diverse ecosystems, and historic structures.

Goals

To enhance learning experiences by assisting visitors, to experience a diverse blend of recreational, cultural, historical and educational programs.

To promote cooperation between all organizations who use the park to develop a cohesive interpretive program and to encourage support by those organizations to contribute to the improvement of the park facilities that they utilize.

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Our 2019 Accomplishments

Last year we were sucessful in fulfilling both our mission and our goals

Because of 1322 Lime Kiln Point State Park volunteer work hours:


Indivudual Donations	Thank You Donors $00000
Interpretive Center	IC Attendance – 33,722
	Discover Pass Sales – $39,650
Events and Activities	Lighthouse Tours – 305
	Low Tide/Park Tours – 25 – 425 people
	Lighthouse Weddings – 5
	Orca Sing – 250 people
	Lighthouse Centennial – 500 people
	Volunteer Appreciation BBQ – 20+ people
	Holiday Open House– 150 people
School Group Programs	Bellingham 4th Graders – 850 students
	Single day student class tours – 7 days
Grants Received	Lodging Tax Advisory Committee – $00000
	San Juan Island Community Foundation – $2,300
	Lighthouse Environmental Program– $10,000
Ongoing Projects	IC Sound Station – monitor whale sounds
	Update to the FOLKS Website
	Build the Virtual Reality system
	Replace and Re-seal Lighthouse Windows