Friends of the San Juans

HB 1652 and SB 5519 won’t be moving forward this session, but the fight isn’t over. These bills would reduce environmental impacts associated with the operation of certain ocean-going vessels by requiring the use of low-sulfur fuels.  There’s still work to be done, and we’re not giving up! Friends staff will continue to provide leadership in support ... read more

Did you know the future of our islands is being decided right now? The Comprehensive Plans for San Juan County and the Town of Friday Harbor are being updated—and your voice can shape what comes next! Ready to get involved? Together, we can ensure that the San Juan Islands remain where nature thrives, communities flourish, ... 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, Carl Bradley and friends, plus ... 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 approaches disrupt these vital activities, ... 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 Whitman, as she shares the ... read more

Tom Reynolds Board of Directorshe/him/his Tom and his wife Mariluz have resided full-time on Brown Island since 2011, and participated with Friends of the San Juans and adjacent neighbors on a beach restoration project in 2015, removing armoring and planting native beach grasses to encourage spawning of feeder fish on their collector beach. The project ... 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 as the leading advocacy organization ... 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 San Juans’ Immersive Salish Sea ... read more

As the school year ends and summer begins, Friends of the San Juans’ research on eelgrass health will be gathering its second year of data from below the surface. The health of eelgrass meadows is San Juan County has had very concerning trends, prompting Friends and our partners to better understand where it is disappearing ... read more

Janet Alderton Strategic AdvisorFormer Board Presidentshe/her/hers Learn more about Janet.