Our Work

The San Juan Islands: Precious. Finite. Worth protecting.

Friends of the San Juans protects and restores the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea for people and nature — since 1979. We restore habitat, protect water, forest, farmland and endangered species, while building thriving communities in the San Juan Islands through education, science, advocacy, and citizen engagement.

Healthy

Seas

Natural

Shorelines

Thriving on

the Land

Friends of the San Juans respectfully acknowledges and honors the fact that this beautiful place we call home is comprised of the ancestral lands, waters, and natural resources of the Coast Salish peoples. The Coast Salish peoples have cared for and stewarded the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea since time immemorial — and continue to do so — and we honor their inherent, aboriginal, and treaty rights that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Our Impact in 2020

5,949

native trees, shrubs, and beach grasses planted at 5 sites providing shoreline bank stabilization, insects for juvenile salmon, and shade for forage fish eggs.

7

local contractors helped Friends implement restoration actions at 7 shoreline sites, supporting the County’s economy and achieving habitat recovery goals.

122,012

petition signers and 40 organizations joined Friends in opposing Roberts Bank Terminal 2 which would increase vessel traffic impacts and risks to environmental, cultural, and economic resources.

The Latest

Friends of the San Juans

1 day ago

Friends of the San Juans
Your voice is needed: a landmark opportunity to protect the Salish Sea and Southern Resident killer whales!This Tues., July 27, the Whatcom County Council will hold a public hearing and vote on whether to adopt a landmark ordinance to protect Cherry Point and the Salish Sea. Voices from around the region are needed to let the Whatcom County Council know that you support them in adopting this important ordinance that will also protect the San Juan Islands’ shorelines and marine waters. These code amendments are critical in helping to protect the endangered Southern Resident killer whales from additional vessel traffic impacts. Click here for more info and to take action: https://tinyurl.com/ssa8xn3r...#protectwhatyoulove ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of the San Juans

2 days ago

Friends of the San Juans
It's still #PlasticFreeJuly! Here's some inspiration for you from Plastic Free Salish Sea.#sjcplasticfreejuly #PlasticFreeSalishSeaTaking stock of your plastic consumption for Plastic Free July? Here are 6 easy plastic-free swaps of everyday items that make a difference. Disposable coffee cup ➡ Reusable coffee mugSingle-use plastic ziplock and wrap ➡ Reusable baggies and food wrapDisposable razors ➡ Safety razorsConventional soaps, shampoo & conditioner ➡ Bar soaps, shampoo & conditionerDisposable menstrual products ➡ Reusable menstrual products (menstrual cups, washable pads)**Already using some of these alternatives? Share your favorite products in the comments!#SJCPlasticFreeJuly #PlasticFreeJuly #PlasticFreeSalishSea ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of the San Juans

3 days ago

Friends of the San Juans
It's a girl! L125 Element, who was born to L86 Surprise is now confirmed a female. This is great news and this spunky whale is looking healthy as well.It’s a girl! 🎉 Our scientists snapped this amazing shot of Southern Resident Killer Whale L125, born earlier this year. This calf was spotted swimming close to an Interim Sanctuary Zone near Swiftsure Bank in BC, created to reduce noise and physical disturbance from vessels in key whale foraging areas. Welcome to the pod little one! http://ow.ly/WA3b50FAesT ... See MoreSee Less

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Friends of the San Juans

4 days ago

Friends of the San Juans
Learn about San Juan County’s Comprehensive Plan from our Executive Director, Brent Lyles. In this video, by the San Juan Islands Community Network, he explains how the Comp Plan works and why it came into being. Stay tuned for the next segment where Brent will talk about how you can get your voice heard in the current Comp Plan update, which will guide how our community will look in the future.https://youtu.be/Zn20WSGs7WA ... See MoreSee Less

The Comp Plan and its Update Set the Terms for SJ County into the Future

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San Juan County’s Comprehensive Plan is its core and guiding document, from which all planning and management comes.Brent Lyles, Executive Director of Friend...

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“I want the beach to be able to be here for my grandchildren… for my nieces, nephews, and godchildren. That’s when we made the decision to contact Friends of the San Juans.”

Mariluz Villa, participating shoreline restoration project property owner

Photos by: Mark Gardner (SRKW Action Center), Mark Gardner (Thriving on the Land)

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