The mayor of Imperial Beach and the co-founder and executive director of WILDCOAST Serge Dedina will speak on the gray whale’s return from near extinction at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Dedina, author of the book “Saving the Gray Whale,” will recount the story of how the marine animal came back from oblivion and where conservation is headed in this climate-challenged 21st century. The presentation will be held at 7 p.m., Sept. 11 at Sumner Auditorium, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 8595 La Jolla Shores Drive. The event is free and hosted by the San Diego Chapter of the American Cetacean Society. Please note street parking only.