latest news

As residents of a community of islands, we are no stranger to coastal storms like the one that hit northern Puget Sound just before Christmas. While winter storms themselves are not uncommon, the larger events that cause serious damage from erosion or flooding are actually quite rare here in the San Juans. Unlike the open ... read more

We are excited to welcome Jess Newley to our team as the new Marine Program Assistant!   Jess has been passionate about marine conservation since her first SCUBA dive under the surface 10 years ago. What some would call an obsession, this passion has led her down a path with a career in science education ... read more

Orcas need salmon, salmon need forage fish, and forage fish need natural beaches. If any part of the equation doesn’t work, the whole chain falls apart. Help us spread this important message by wearing it around your community! We’re taking orders for Friends apparel through November 15th. They’ll make great holiday gifts! The back is pictured below and ... read more

Governor Inslee’s Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery and Task Force has issued the updated draft recommendations for actions to recover Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW). Show your support for SRKW protection and recovery actions by taking the survey! Click here for the online public comment portal. Comments must be submitted no later than midnight, Monday October 29, via the Task Force ... read more

Friends is looking for a Staff Attorney to join our team. The Staff Attorney will represent our legal advocacy and policy work and supervise our summer legal intern program. The Staff Attorney will assist Friends in implementing our mission to protect and restore the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea for people and nature. ... read more

Position Summary: Friends of the San Juans is looking for a part time assistant to provide support to existing nearshore research, education, restoration, and protection projects. Primary tasks include: field work (mostly winter season sand lance beach surveys), landowner communications, boater/community outreach and education, volunteer coordination and assistance with restoration project planning, implementation and monitoring. ... read more

September 21, 10:30 a.m., Lopez Center for Community and the Arts Attend the joint San Juan County Council and Planning Commission Public Hearing on the final draft of the Lopez Village Sub Area Plan. Please provide your support for the existing strong language on environmental protection and climate change considerations in the subarea plan as ... read more

The Federal Court of Appeals of Canada rejected the government’s approval of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline on August 30!   The reasons for this decision:   1. The Canadian government failed to consider the impacts of marine vessel traffic on the Southern Resident Killer Whales and their environment, citing “the risk of significant, ... read more

Join us on Saturday, September 15 at the Friends of the San Juans Annual Meeting on Shaw Island. Friends of the San Juans Annual Meeting A Day of Action for the Salish Sea Saturday, September 15 1 – 3 p.m. Special Guest Hon. Kevin Ranker, Senator 40th   Shaw Island Community Center, Blind Bay Rd., Shaw Island ... read more

We’re excited to announce the addition of Michel Vekved as Friends’ Director of Philanthropy. Michel will be responsible for increasing the frequency and reach to our community, cultivating and strengthening long term relationships, strategic planning for legacy, and developing major gifts. “I am deeply honored to join the Friends and work with an exceptional staff, ... read more