Friends of the San Juans

We are excited to share our Mud Bay (Sucia Island) Restoration video. This project reconnected a salt marsh to the bay for the first time in 75 years and removed tons of armoring, rock, and fill off of a forage fish spawning beach. These actions restored juvenile salmon and forage fish habitat – improving the food ... read more

For many decades, working on behalf of and with our members, Friends of the San Juans has been diligently engaging in updates to San Juan County’s official Comprehensive Plan. Known as the “Comp Plan,” it guides how our community will look in the future. The County’s Comp Plan sets goals and priorities that guide the ... read more

2020 was supposed to be the year where we acted on the climate crisis. It was the fifth anniversary of the Paris climate agreement, the fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day, and the conclusion of a historical decade for climate activism. Instead, it was a year like no other. Fires, hurricanes, and a global pandemic. But ... read more

At this time of year, I reflect on the relationships and connections I have had with our members. I’m truly grateful to hear how our work resonated with you, and I hold sacred space for the privilege of hearing your personal stories. In the personal phone and Zoom calls that replaced face-to-face interactions this year, ... read more

We have secured the funds, the experts are ready, all we need now are more waterfront property owners to take steps to support the marine ecosystem. While it may not be as thrilling as securing your appointment to get vaccinated against Covid-19, it is quite exciting news for forage fish, salmon, and Southern Resident orca! ... read more

We started our Virtual Reality pilot program in island schools in early February! And here’s the video you have all been waiting for… (drum roll…!!!) Click here to see Shorelines and Salmon: Friends of the San Juans’ Immersive Education 360VR! Dive in and imhttps://youtu.be/vP6ZlXe9Jikmerse yourself among the critical nearshore habitats of the San Juan Islands ... read more

Thank you so much for supporting Friends of the San Juans in 2020. To show our appreciation, we have created backgrounds for your Zoom sessions or computer desktop taken by our very own Marine Science Coordinator, Jess Newley. Enjoy these amazing underwater photos of Pacific herring and Coho salmon! And look out for more images ... read more

Click here to watch the December 16 town hall meeting led by Brent Lyles, our new Executive Director. Brent introduces himself, answers questions from the audience, and shares some highlights of Friends of the San Juans’ recent activities. Brent comes to Friends with over 20 years of experience leading environmental protection and education efforts. “In ... read more

Happy Giving Tuesday! Giving Tuesday reminds and encourages us all to give back and do good in our communities. Get involved, take action, and support the causes that matter to you! If you are inspired to protect what you love in the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea, please help Friends of the San ... read more

You might have missed our annual meeting, “An Evening in the Islands with Friends,” so we are here to tell you all about it! The event included project headlines from program directors, special community member cameos, and some fun mixology with The Barnacle on Orcas. We celebrated our impact in 2020 and shared our big ... read more