news

 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

Commercial finfish net pens banned from Washington State aquatic lands This January marked a monumental victory for Southern Resident killer whales and wild salmon: the Washington State Board of Natural Resources voted to permanently ban commercial finfish net-pen aquaculture on state-owned aquatic lands! Hear directly from our Science Director, Tina … read more

As we reflect on this year, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for what we’ve accomplished together. 2024 marked a defining chapter in the story of Friends of the San Juans—a time shaped by intentional reflection, bold action, and powerful community engagement. With your support, we celebrate 45 years … read more

On December 2nd, twelve members of the Mullis Community Senior Center donned virtual reality headsets and embarked on an incredible underwater journey through the Salish Sea. They swam among swaying bull kelp forests, vast schools of herring, spawning salmon, and more! This unique event was part of Friends of the … read more

Are you new to “Comp Plan land”?We’ve got you covered! What is the Comp Plan, and Why Does It Matter? The San Juan County Comprehensive Plan is like a roadmap for our community’s future. It’s designed to manage growth and keep the islands a healthy place to live by setting long-term … read more

Raven Preston, Orcas Island — Raven is a seasoned user experience researcher and communication strategist with a passion for leveraging data-driven insights to drive impactful change. Her work focuses on improving user engagement and developing strategies within the SAFe Agile framework. With a background in integrating Black and Indigenous methodologies, … read more

Dr. Manny Eusebio models exceptional Green Boater practices and does so proudly and with the health of our larger community in mind! Manny and his wife, Chris, moved their family’s sailboat to Bellingham from Seattle, where he continues to support the health of children as a pediatrician with Peace Health. … read more

Panel Discussion + Lummi Blackhawk Dancers Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Boldt Decision During Native American Heritage Month  On Saturday, November 9th at 6:30 PM, Friends of the San Juans, in collaboration with the Stewardship Network of the San Juans and Friday Harbor Film Festival, will host a special … read more