Elise Cope

Do you love the islands and Salish Sea and want to connect with like-minded people? Are you interested in serving on our Board or a committee? There are many ways to get involved, and we would love your support! Bonus: volunteer 4 hours or more per year, and you’ll receive an automatic membership with Friends. ... read more

We are delighted to welcome a new staff member and 2 new board members to our team!  Isabel Alexander, Executive Administrator — Isabel provides administrative support to the Executive Director and the Board. Isabel will also be integral in communications with our donors, members, and volunteers. Prior to joining Friends, Isabel was the Program Director ... read more

The Washington State Legislative Session begins Monday, January 8th, and will run for 60 days, until March 7, 2024.   Stay informed. Make a difference. Don’t miss our legislative updates on policy issues impacting the San Juans and the Salish Sea! Click the button below to sign up, and select Regional Action Alerts from the list ... read more

Kai Sanburn Board of DirectorsLead Island Ambassador, Lopez Islandshe/her/hers Kai joins with respect for the steady presence of Friends of the San Juans where and when it matters most. She is honored to be part of an organization that plays a proactive role in defending the health and well-being of this island archipelago. After retiring ... read more

In a remarkable effort to return a beach to its natural state, a comprehensive restoration project was successfully completed in November of 2023 on Shaw Island. Situated on the western edge of Broken Point, this revitalized beach is re-joining a vast network of healthy shorelines that support forage fish, salmon, and, ultimately, the Southern Resident ... read more

Enjoy complimentary refreshments and delight in the good company of fellow stewards of the islands with our staff and board. Meet our new Executive Director, Eva Schulte, and learn about ongoing research, education, restoration, and advocacy efforts to protect the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea. Try swimming with salmon and eelgrass without getting wet with ... read more

Magali Cota Staff Attorney and Legal Directorshe/her/hers Magali’s experience and skills in environmental law have been shaped by her work with nonprofit organizations such as Earthjustice, the Western Environmental Law Center, Columbia Riverkeeper, and, most recently, the Northwest Justice Project, where she focused on protecting vulnerable communities. Throughout her career, Magali has recognized the essential ... read more

Sign up for our action alerts! Be sure to select "Regional Action Alerts" from the list of emails you want to receive! Email us at [email protected] and let us know you are especially interested in taking action against Roberts Bank Terminal 2, and we'll make sure to update you as opportunities arise. For Immediate Release ... read more

Lynn Bahrych Strategic AdvisorFormer Board Presidentshe/her/hers

The following message is shared by Jay Julius, W’tot lhem. Jay is the former Chairman of the Lummi Nation, a full-time fisherman and father, and the Founder and President of Se’Si’Le.   The organization Se’Si’Le offers workshops, symposiums, forums, and direct-action campaigns that “bring people and organizations into a deeper and truer understanding of Indigenous ... read more