Jess Newley

From Nurdles to the Capitol: How We’re Turning the Tide on Plastic

April 29, 2025

Local action matters—especially when it comes to solving the global problem of plastic pollution. Across the San Juan Islands, Friends of the San Juans is helping islanders of all ages become informed, empowered, and active protectors of the Salish Sea. This spring, three community-powered projects highlight how Friends is turning education into advocacy, and awareness ... read more

Call or Email Your Legislators About Our Plastics Problem!

February 28, 2025

The Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284 / HB 1150), sponsored by Senator Liz Lovelett and Representative Liz Berry, would modernize our recycling system in Washington. It would create a producer responsibility program in which manufacturers and brands collaborate to reduce unnecessary packaging and paper, fund statewide recycling services, and ensure that materials are actually recycled. Specific incentives are built ... read more

Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Manny Eusebio

October 3, 2024

Dr. Manny Eusebio models exceptional Green Boater practices and does so proudly and with the health of our larger community in mind! Manny and his wife, Chris, moved their family’s sailboat to Bellingham from Seattle, where he continues to support the health of children as a pediatrician with Peace Health. In Dr. Manny’s volunteer time, ... read more

Gathering of the Eagles

May 3, 2024

Friends is honored to be the fiscal sponsor for this extraordinary inter-island Tribal canoe journey, “Esqaplh etse Kwelengsen, Gathering of Eagles.” All are welcome at this grassroots journey organized by Sul ka dub Freddie Lane, following the ancestral highways of the Lhaq’temish, Lummi, people, beginning May 19th and running through May 23rd in the Lhaq’temish homelands ... read more

Friday Harbor Youth Support Recycling Reform in Olympia

January 30, 2024

The Friday Harbor Eco Club spent Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Olympia, advocating for legislation that would reform recycling and reduce packaging waste in WA State. The students were accompanied by Eco Club advisors, Jess Newley, Education and Community Science Director with Friends of the San Juans, and Katie Fleming, Solid Waste ... read more

Unit 5: Essential Eelgrass – Coming Soon!

January 24, 2024

In this unit: Go on an underwater eelgrass snorkel survey in search of wasting disease, and aboard a research vessel mapping eelgrass in San Juan County. Stay Tuned for more! (March 2024)

Unit 4: Sniffing out Orca Poop with WildOrca – Coming Soon!

January 24, 2024

In this unit: Journey along the water with Dr. Giles and Eba, the whale poop-sniffing dog, as they collect data on the Southern Resident killer whales. Stay Tuned for more! (March 2024)

Unit 3: The loss of the Sunflower Star

January 24, 2024

In this unit: What happens when a species is removed from the ecosystem? Join researchers in a lab where they are growing endangered Sunflower sea stars! The Sunflower sea star is special for many reasons- they can grow up to 24 arms (!!!) and they are one of the fastest and largest sea stars in the ... read more

Unit 1: Explore the Marine Food Web

November 1, 2023

In this unit: How do the shorelines of the Salish Sea support forage fish, salmon, and orca. Swim through kelp beds and up the river with spawning salmon! Our back yard (the Salish Sea) is home to some of the most wonderous creatures. From the Giant Pacific Octopus, some of the most colorful nudibranchs, the ... read more

Unit 2: Mighty Herring

October 27, 2023

In this unit: Pacific herring are small schooling fish that play a big role in marine food webs by supporting salmon, which in turn feed the Southern Resident orcas. These little but mighty fish have a long history of significance- culturally, economically, and intrinsically. As a food source, herring provide energy to lower trophic levels ... read more

We believe that our property is more valuable if we and our neighbors protect the shoreline. Orcas need salmon. Salmon need forage fish. Salmon and forage fish need the protection of eelgrass and kelp. Eelgrass and kelp need clean water. Shoreline protections are good for ecosystems and for the long-term economy of these lovely islands.

Val and Leslie Veirs

members, San Juan Island