Friends of the San Juans

Friends is excited to welcome Brent Lyles as incoming Executive Director. He officially starts with us on September 16. Brent comes to Friends with over 20 years of experience leading environmental protection and education efforts, most recently consulting with nonprofit organizations in Austin, Texas. Prior to consulting, he successfully led two Texas river conservation organizations, ... read more

Healthy Seas Program: Find out more about the Friends of the San Juans Healthy Seas program with our Marine Protection and Policy Director, Lovel Pratt. Virtual Reality Immersive Education: Learn more about Friends of the San Juans’ cutting edge virtual reality immersive education program during this Q & A with Jess Newley, our Marine Program ... read more

My name is Kaia, and I’m a high school sophomore currently interning at Friends of the San Juans. Some of you may know my grandpa, San Olson, current board member, past board president, and longtime resident of Lopez Island. It is largely because of my grandpa that I have the chance to write this letter ... read more

We were joined by Kevin Campion of Deep Green Wilderness on July 23 to hear about Kevin and his team’s expeditions to film the North Pacific right whale. The North Pacific Right Whale: Why You Should Care about the World’s Rarest Whale, Zoom Presentation with Kevin Campion Click here to watch the recording. You’ll learn about what ... read more

The staff and board of Friends of the San Juans stands in solidarity with those demanding justice for George Floyd, along with countless other Black lives taken too soon. We all must play a part in dismantling the violent and racist system that has defined our country for far too long. Our mission to protect ... read more

Are you experiencing travel withdrawal after months of lockdown and cancelled travel plans? Peter Cavanagh – photographer, filmmaker, former NASA researcher, bird expert, and Lopezian – is here to help! Peter will guide you on a virtual photographic journey to see some of the amazing birds he has encountered on his world travels. Click here ... read more

The staff of Friends of the San Juans stands in solidarity with those demanding justice for George Floyd along with countless other Black lives taken too soon and too often. Our mission to protect and restore the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea includes our human communities and we stand for the health, safety, ... read more

Keeping safe and healthy during the COVID-19 global pandemic is removing much of the gains we have made in reducing plastic use and is creating new waste issues. Grocery stores around the country are not allowing re-usable bags (and bans are being put on hold), coffee shops are refusing to refill personal mugs, and as ... read more

Here are two important comment opportunities for the Southern Resident orcas and native salmon species… 1) Protect Southern Resident Orcas Via the Commercial Whale Watch Licensing Program:  In 2019 the Washington Legislature directed the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to develop rules for a new commercial whale-watching licensing program. You have an opportunity to engage in ... read more

The 2020 boating season is officially upon us, and as we saw with Mother’s Day weekend, our anchorages will begin to fill with private boats. Our amazing group of islands, where boaters find wonder and relaxation, are also where fish and wildlife find food and shelter. One of the most critical and sensitive marine habitats ... read more