Friends of the San Juans

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Who Foots the Bill for an Oil Spill?

February 14, 2024

Ensure Accountability from the Oil Industry The specter of a large oil spill looms over our region, casting a shadow of potential devastation. The stakes are high. At risk are our environment, economy, and cultural resources; the vulnerable Southern Resident killer whales and their dwindling food source, chinook salmon; the forage fish that nurture the ... read more

Take a stand against big oil in support of the Salish Sea!

December 15, 2023

Update: 2024 is off to a good start! Huge thanks to the incredible response from community members who sent comments on this issue. Whatcom County will likely be issuing a revised MDNS and hopefully it will address the project's potential vessel traffic impacts. You can view Whatcom County's memo here. Make sure you are signed ... read more

Thank You, Science Advisors!

November 16, 2023

This year, Friends of the San Juans welcomed a new Council of Scientific Advisors, contributing their incredible expertise to our science-driven approach. We’re so thankful for their time and guidance. We want to especially thank former board member, Michael Riordan, for his help in recruiting this fantastic group of advisors. Drew Harvell (she/her)  Drew earned ... read more

Friends’ Action Ensures Refinery Project Will Not Impact Southern Resident killer whales

September 25, 2023

Friends of the San Juans took action against Whatcom County’s permit decision for a Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery project, involving a new pipe bridge and relocating underground pipelines to above-ground. Phillips 66’s application lacked clarity about the purpose of these pipes, including their potential role in crude oil or refined product transfers at the refinery’s ... read more

In the wake of the loss of a dear Friend 

August 26, 2023

Join us live on Instagram or on Facebook for the Celebration of Life today for Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut (Tokitae) https://www.instagram.com/friendsofthesanjuansinsta/live/ https://www.facebook.com/FriendsSanJuans/ Despite copious amounts of testing, our live YouTube feed wasn’t so hot, so we pivoted! Thanks for bearing with the buffering, friends! Last week the community was heartbroken to learn that Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut (Tokitae) died suddenly while ... read more

Collaborative Eelgrass Research Underway! 

July 26, 2023

This June, Friends of the San Juans began a new multi-year research project that is examining the health of eelgrass across the county. Eelgrass, a flowering plant that grows in shallow marine waters, supports marine food webs, including Dungeness crabs, spawning habitat for Pacific herring, and is a critical place for out-migrating juvenile salmon to ... read more

Reject Roberts Bank Terminal 2!

June 5, 2023

Help protect Southern Resident killer whales and Chinook salmon!  Your quick action by June 8th is needed to help reduce the impacts of a new off-shore/over-water shipping terminal the size of 202 football fields! This new terminal would decimate critical habitat and increase vessel traffic impacts and oil spill risks in the transboundary Salish Sea. ... read more

Legislative Recap 

May 18, 2023

With the help of supporters like you, we made some progress in protecting and restoring the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea for people and nature! Here’s a recap of bills our Staff was tracking and working on this legislative session.   Successes  More work needed. 

Join us for Orca Action!

May 15, 2023

Orca Action Month Kick-Off Event and Parade1 pm to 5 pm, Sunday, June 4thFriday Harbor, San Juan IslandRSVP via Facebook! Join Friends of the San Juans, Wild Orca, and Orca Network as we kick off Orca Action Month, honoring the Lasting Legacies of the Southern Residents and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species ... read more

Big win for Southern Resident killer whales!

April 19, 2023

Legislation to safeguard critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales is headed to the Governor’s desk! Senate Bill 5371 requires recreational boaters to stay 1,000 yards away from Southern Residents beginning in 2025.  Lovel Pratt, Marine Protection and Policy Director at Friends shares, “While the 1,000-yard distance requirement won’t be mandatory until 2025, Friends encourages recreational ... read more

I want the beach to be able to be here for my grandchildren… for my nieces, nephews, and godchildren. That’s when we made the decision to contact Friends of the San Juans.

Mariluz Villa

member, Brown Island