Organizing a fundraiser for the Salmonberry School, Susan Oseth thought first of the performer Dana Lyons best known for his radio hit, “Cows with Guns.”

“I am a fan of his music,” Oseth said. “He sings environmental songs for kids. He is a funny and engaging as a singer. I think families will enjoy him.”

Lyons, once an Orcas resident, has performed at various venues on the island before, but has not been back for more than three years.

“It’s been too long since I have been on Orcas, Lyons said. “I am looking forward to it. I am happy to help Salmonberry out. I plan to play some sing-a-longs from my children’s environmental album “At Night they Howl at the Moon” which was recorded at Camp Orkila. I will be doing some comedies and some ballads and I often play, “Cows with Guns.”

The international performer is best known a mix of comedy, ballads and love songs. He has seven releases to date, including his latest two, released in 2004: “Circle the World: Songs & Stories” with Dame Jane Goodall, the English United Nations Messenger of Peace, primatologist, ethnologist, and anthropologist, and “Ride the Lawn.”

Two of Lyon’s songs have been made into award-winning books. “The Tree” and the illustrated book “Cows with Guns.”

He has toured widely in the US and abroad including performances at Farm Aid, and in conjunction with Goodall’s youth activist program, “Roots and Shoots.” His title track for her recent publication, “Circle the World,” celebrates Goodall’s giant peace dove campaign.

Lyons will perform on Saturday, May 16, at 4 p.m. at the Outlook Inn.

The school will be providing inexpensive small sandwich and baked good as part of the event and hope 100 people will attend the performance. The inn, which has donated the Victorian Room and staff time, will be selling beer and wine. Tickets are available at The Outlook Inn, The Kitchen, Salmonberry School, the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, May 16, and at the door. There is a sliding scale of $10 to $20 for adult tickets and $5 to $10 for children.