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By Annika Weber, Friends of the San Juans Summer Intern  Hello! My name is Annika. I’m from Seattle, and this summer I’m working with Friends’ Marine Protection and Policy Director, Lovel Pratt, on Salish Sea protection. I’m also helping with summer events and learning how to write grants. I’m a … read more

This summer and fall, Friends of the San Juans is leading a series of shoreline restoration projects across the islands, from Shaw Island to Eastsound on Orcas. These efforts do more than meet the eye—they help revive the ecological function of our shorelines and strengthen the health of our island … read more

During our recent Community Beach Walk in Eastsound on Orcas Island, Wolf Schmidt (Wasakalobo) joined local shoreline experts from Friends of the San Juans, Natural Systems Design, and San Juan County to explore coastal ecology, native vegetation, and habitat restoration. The event was part of our ongoing effort to connect … read more

On May 29th, over 150 community members attended Solianna Halabisky’s senior community project—a dance showcase celebrating the beauty and singularity of the Salish Sea and island wildlife. Soli elected to donate all proceeds from the show, which featured Orcas Dance Collective, choreography by Tiffany Loney, and poetry by local high … read more

Are you looking to better understand the unique features of San Juan Islands’ shorelines? As part of a beautiful, complex, and dynamic marine ecosystem supporting salmon, seabirds, whales, and humans, you can join a community beach walk this July on Orcas or Lopez Island! Learn about the shoreline features that … read more

 You may have glimpsed something strange and beautiful around the San Juans: a pod of orcas twirling through the kelp, wrapping themselves in long golden fronds like playful dancers.  New research from the Center for Whale Research confirms what many Indigenous knowledge holders, islanders, and kayak guides have observed for … read more

Over the past month, Friends of the San Juans has been working diligently to support early detection and response efforts aimed at combating one of the most damaging marine invaders in the Pacific Northwest, the European green crab (EGC). Through a partnership with Washington Sea Grant and Washington State University’s … read more

 Are you looking for a meaningful, flexible way to support local environmental action this summer? Friends of the San Juans is seeking a Communications & Outreach Volunteer to join our team for a two-hour weekly shift, either in our Friday Harbor office or remotely. To help grow our community presence … read more

 Eelgrass is more than a plant. It’s a quiet, essential force holding our marine ecosystem together. Let’s protect it, together. At our recent Spring Open House, community members engaged with eelgrass in a whole new way through virtual reality, hands-on art, and powerful storytelling. We’re working to bring the power of … read more

  San Juan Island Eco Club students and Friends of the San Juans celebrate a major policy victory in Olympia  Washington’s new Recycling Reform Act is now law, thanks in part to powerful student advocacy from San Juan County. Executive Director Eva Schulte of Friends of the San Juans was … read more

Friends of the San Juans is excited to welcome and introduce Magali Cota as our new Legal Director and Staff Attorney. Magali is an environmental law attorney who has worked closely with communities to protect their natural spaces, informing them of their rights within an evolving legal system and holding … read more

Local action matters—especially when it comes to solving the global problem of plastic pollution. Across the San Juan Islands, Friends of the San Juans is helping islanders of all ages become informed, empowered, and active protectors of the Salish Sea. This spring, three community-powered projects highlight how Friends is turning … read more

Friends of the San Juans is powered by people who care deeply about protecting the islands we all love. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or just getting to know our work, volunteering is a powerful way to take action and connect with your community. There are many opportunities to get … read more

Friends’ Past, Present, and Future  As we welcome a new chapter at Friends of the San Juans, we extend our deepest gratitude to Ken Carrasco for his leadership and dedication as Board President. His passion and commitment have strengthened our work protecting the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea. … read more

For over three decades, Tina Whitman has been a steadfast leader in marine science, shoreline restoration, and protection. Friends of the San Juans is lucky that she has dedicated most of her career to the protection and restoration of the San Juan Islands’ shorelines. Her recent promotion to Senior Science … read more

Stephanie Solien lives on Orcas Island and loves spending time on and near the water, beaches, wetlands and forests of the Salish Sea. She is passionate about working with diverse communities and the political process to drive positive change. She co-chaired Governor Inslee’s Southern Resident Orca Whale Task Force and … read more

We were thrilled to host a successful Green Boating event at the historic Kirkland Cannery on January 23rd! It was an honor to have former Governor Jay Inslee and his wife Trudi join us for an inspiring afternoon focused on protecting our underwater ecosystems. We are grateful to our host, … read more

Alchemy Art Center and Friends of the San Juans are teaming up to bring art and ecology together in “Interconnected,” a collaborative mural project celebrating eelgrass—a vital but often overlooked marine plant in the Salish Sea. With the generous support of A Waterworks Gallery, this community-driven project invites locals to … read more

Marni joined the Friends team in late 2024 to help us dive into phone banking and will continue leading this effort in 2025! A phenomenal volunteer with extensive experience in phone banking and nonprofit fundraising, Marni trained our staff and volunteers to connect directly with supporters. After developing a phone … read more

Southern Resident killer whales are teetering on the brink of extinction. As of July 1, 2024, the Southern Resident killer whale population was recorded at 73 individuals. These iconic whales depend on the waters of the Salish Sea to forage, rest, and raise their young. However, vessel noise and close … read more