Friends of the San Juans

To those of you who joined us for our 2021 Annual Meeting – thank you! To those of you who missed last week’s event — if only you could have been there! But don’t worry, here’s a link to the recording! We witnessed compelling testimonials, gained insight during our engaging conversation with Lynda Mapes, and ... read more

The Friends Annual Meeting, featuring the incomparable author and journalist Lynda Mapes, will be held on October 9th, from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Lynda Mapes, award-winning Seattle Times environmental writer and author, recently published her fifth book, Orca: Shared Waters, Shared Home. Our enthusiasm is running high! Friends’ Director of Philanthropy, Michel Vekved, is eager to bring our Friends community together around ... read more

Check out the September issue of our e-newsletter – Highwater Marks! You’ll learn about: registering for our 2021 Annual Meeting with special guest Lynda Mapes, how to engage with the San Juan County Council this week about important issues for our environment and community, the latest shoreline restoration project at Salmon Point on Lopez Island, our ... read more

As humans, we can manipulate and change our environment. In the last few centuries, we have abused this power, killing thousands of species, destroying entire ecosystems, and bringing the planet to the brink of irreversible, catastrophic climate change, and all that comes with it (such as widespread fires, extreme heat events, and increasingly powerful storms). ... read more

What life can and will look like in the San Juan Islands is up to all of us. How will you help protect the island environment? We live, visit, work, and play in the San Juan Islands, a magical place that many claim as one of the most magnificent in their worldly travels. A place ... read more

It was an exciting week for local forage fish and out-migrating juvenile salmon as Friends of the San Juans and the Salmon Point Community have successfully restored priority shoreline habitat along their local beach. At the south end of Lopez Island, two areas of failed rock armoring and rock fill were covering portions of a ... read more

It’s time to spring into action! On the morning of Tuesday, September 14th, the County Council will hold a hearing on the 2021 docket. This year’s docket includes proposals for new tree-protection standards, stormwater-management standards, and doing an important “build-out analysis” for our County. These all deserve our community’s attention and support. The purpose of ... read more

Check out the August issue of our e-newsletter – Highwater Marks! You’ll learn about joining Friends staff for Q& A’s at the San Juan County Virtual Fair, see the results from our 3 year-long forage fish surveys, plus more actions, news, and updates! Read it here.

The fact that you’re reading this shows you care about the future of the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea. Friends of the San Juans’ philanthropic donors share your values, and they are aligning their philanthropy with their passion for the serenity, health, and natural beauty of our Islands. For these supporters, a plan ... read more

We are all ready for some new connections and opportunities. Through the Virtual Fair, you have an opportunity to connect with Friends staff, ask questions, and hear the passion that drives our mission. Join us on the virtual couch for Q&A sessions with Friends Staff: Jess, Tina, and Brent; our student mentees: Ela and Linnea; plus a ... read more