Friends of the San Juans

Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published its final rule in the Federal Register to list the Island Marble Butterfly as an endangered species. For our islands this is a big decision as this beautiful white and green butterfly is found only in the San Juans. This decision comes nearly two decades after a coalition of conservation groups, including ... read more

The Friends of the San Juans, a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization, is seeking a new Executive Director. About the Friends of the San Juans The mission of the Friends of the San Juans (“FSJ”) is to protect and restore the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea for people and nature. Accordingly, FSJ’s programs foster ... read more

During these uncertain times, the staff of Friends of the San Juans are looking for ways to lift your spirits. And we thought that sharing some good news might bring you a smile! Good News! New Forage Fish Spawning Beaches Found! This winter, Friends of the San Juans staff and our team of trained citizen ... read more

Over the past month, necessity has called us all to action and challenged us to create new norms. Here at Friends our mission remains unchanged. Taking care of our planet, our family, and our community remain our guiding principles and with that in mind here are a few Earth Day action items for you. EARTH MONTH PLEDGE April 22, ... read more

This month, Friends of the San Juans and the Stewardship Network of the San Juans are partnering to bring you the “San Juan Islands Earth Month Pledge.” Join us to create digital community solidarity for the health of the planet! We are not advocating that you go far from home – we just wanted to ... read more

One of the three program areas driving the mission of Friends is Thriving Communities which exemplifies our values of giving back, supporting, and protecting our communities. For those of you who have met Michel, our Director of Philanthropy, you know that she has a personal and professional zeal for thriving communities and socializing. As Michel ... read more

These are changing times as directives unfold with caution and deliberation. What we can be certain of is that the sun will rise and set, the tides will rise and recede. Our staff is truly humbled by the opportunity we have to work from home and participate in new ways to communicate, monitor, and survey ... read more

Help make the San Juan Islands “Plastic Free by the Sea”! This year’s Great Islands Clean-up is on Saturday, April 18, 2020. Join the county-wide greening event and collect litter from public beaches and roadways. There will be litter clean-up events happening on Orcas, San Juan, Lopez and Shaw Islands this year. Stay tuned for ... read more

Executive Director Stephanie Buffum has submitted her letter of resignation and retired as of March 1, 2020. Under Stephanie’s 19 years of leadership, Friends has become central to the protection of what is loved by many about the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea, including the health of marine ecosystems, fragile shorelines, forest and ... read more

As of summer 2019, there are currently over 1,000 permitted vacation rentals in San Juan County, WA. Currently there is no limit on the number of vacation rentals in the county, and permits convey with the sale of a property. Unlike official businesses like bed and breakfasts, hotels and resorts, licensing constraints are minimal for ... read more