latest news

page: 2

Student advocacy pays off: Recycling Reform Act signed into law!

May 28, 2025

  San Juan Island Eco Club students and Friends of the San Juans celebrate a major policy victory in Olympia  Washington’s new Recycling Reform Act is now law, thanks in part to powerful student advocacy from San Juan County. Executive Director Eva Schulte of Friends of the San Juans was honored to represent Friends and ... read more

Introducing New Legal Director, Magali Cota

May 28, 2025

Friends of the San Juans is excited to welcome and introduce Magali Cota as our new Legal Director and Staff Attorney. Magali is an environmental law attorney who has worked closely with communities to protect their natural spaces, informing them of their rights within an evolving legal system and holding corporations and government agencies accountable.    ... read more

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

Summer Volunteering with Friends 

April 29, 2025

Friends of the San Juans is powered by people who care deeply about protecting the islands we all love. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or just getting to know our work, volunteering is a powerful way to take action and connect with your community. There are many opportunities to get involved behind the scenes and ... read more

A Conversation on Leadership

March 26, 2025

Friends’ Past, Present, and Future  As we welcome a new chapter at Friends of the San Juans, we extend our deepest gratitude to Ken Carrasco for his leadership and dedication as Board President. His passion and commitment have strengthened our work protecting the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea. Now, we’re thrilled to introduce ... read more

Honoring Tina Whitman: A Legacy of Science and Protection

March 26, 2025

For over three decades, Tina Whitman has been a steadfast leader in marine science, shoreline restoration, and protection. Friends of the San Juans is lucky that she has dedicated most of her career to the protection and restoration of the San Juan Islands’ shorelines. Her recent promotion to Senior Science Director at Friends is a ... read more

Welcoming our newest Board member

February 27, 2025

Stephanie Solien lives on Orcas Island and loves spending time on and near the water, beaches, wetlands and forests of the Salish Sea. She is passionate about working with diverse communities and the political process to drive positive change. She co-chaired Governor Inslee’s Southern Resident Orca Whale Task Force and was Vice Chair of the ... read more

Green Boating and Inslee at Kirkland Cannery Event

January 27, 2025

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

Community Mural with Alchemy Art Center and Friends!

January 25, 2025

Alchemy Art Center and Friends of the San Juans are teaming up to bring art and ecology together in “Interconnected,” a collaborative mural project celebrating eelgrass—a vital but often overlooked marine plant in the Salish Sea. With the generous support of A Waterworks Gallery, this community-driven project invites locals to craft ceramic tiles for a ... read more

Volunteer Spotlight: Marni Zimlin

January 25, 2025

Marni joined the Friends team in late 2024 to help us dive into phone banking and will continue leading this effort in 2025! A phenomenal volunteer with extensive experience in phone banking and nonprofit fundraising, Marni trained our staff and volunteers to connect directly with supporters. After developing a phone script and providing hands-on guidance, ... read more

Friends of the San Juans was vital for the San Juan Islands’ protection in 1979 and it is still vital today.

Mike and Susan Krieger

members, Orcas Island