May 19 is Endangered Species Day – protect what you love!

Endangered Species Day is May 19th. 113 marine species are formally listed as being at risk or vulnerable to extinction here in the Salish Sea. Here are five things you can do to help!

  1. Help preserve our remaining natural shorelines that provide essential habitat for marine species. View our latest video here to learn more.
  2. Purchase sustainably-harvested seafood at your local supermarket or favorite restaurant. Click here to learn more from Seafood Watch.
  3. Use beneficial landscaping techniques such as rain gardens, rain barrels, green roofs and permeable paving to help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and reduce runoff into ditches and storm drains.
  4. Do your part to dispose of unused medicine and chemicals properly. Never dump into household toilets and sinks or outside where they can get into ditches or storm drains.
  5. Help with the marine plastics issue and speak up for ditching plastic bags in San Juan County. Some of our local stores continue to use thicker plastic bags (considered reusable) after the single-use ordinance went into effect on May 1. It’s important these businesses hear from customers that we’ll happily support their move to stop using plastic bags at checkout. They care about what customers want – call today!
  6. Support Friends of the San Juans’ Endangered Species Advocacy work to make sure these species have their voice heard in decisions that impact their home.
We at Friends of the San Juans work every day to protect the species and places we all love. Thank you for your support!

We believe that our property is more valuable if we and our neighbors protect the shoreline. Orcas need salmon. Salmon need forage fish. Salmon and forage fish need the protection of eelgrass and kelp. Eelgrass and kelp need clean water. Shoreline protections are good for ecosystems and for the long-term economy of these lovely islands.

Val and Leslie Veirs

members, San Juan Island