latest news

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Southern Resident killer whales are teetering on the brink of extinction. As of July 1, 2024, the Southern Resident killer whale population was recorded at 73 individuals. These iconic whales depend on the waters of the Salish Sea to forage, rest, and raise their young. However, vessel noise and close approaches disrupt these vital activities, ... read more

Commercial finfish net pens banned from Washington State aquatic lands This January marked a monumental victory for Southern Resident killer whales and wild salmon: the Washington State Board of Natural Resources voted to permanently ban commercial finfish net-pen aquaculture on state-owned aquatic lands! Hear directly from our Science Director, Tina Whitman, as she shares the ... read more

As we reflect on this year, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for what we’ve accomplished together. 2024 marked a defining chapter in the story of Friends of the San Juans—a time shaped by intentional reflection, bold action, and powerful community engagement. With your support, we celebrate 45 years as the leading advocacy organization ... read more