latest news

Stroll along any local beach during low tide, and you’ll find the shore teeming with life! Tide pooling offers a unique glimpse into the vibrant ecosystems that thrive where land meets the Salish Sea. With over 400 miles of shoreline in San Juan County, we have no shortage of nooks and crannies to explore! But ... read more

Here at Friends we have what we refer to as “super volunteers”—these are folks who contribute talent and expertise to our growth and strategic priorities, going above and beyond the call of duty. They become an extension of staff, amplifying our values and mission.  One such volunteer is Raven Preston of Orcas Island. Raven was ... read more

Friends of the San Juans’ met with Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) on San Juan Island to advocate for ongoing funding and support for salmon recovery and habitat restoration efforts, and to discuss the impacts of the recent increase in oil tanker traffic. Eelgrass mapping efforts led by Friends of the San Juans, in partnership with Friday ... read more

Protect Marine Ecosystems and Island Resources Boating season is here, and soon our waters will be buzzing with boats. Our amazing group of islands, where boaters find wonder and relaxation, are also where fish and wildlife find food and shelter.   To help our wildlife and boaters thrive during this busy time, Friends of the San ... read more

As the school year ends and summer begins, Friends of the San Juans’ research on eelgrass health will be gathering its second year of data from below the surface. The health of eelgrass meadows is San Juan County has had very concerning trends, prompting Friends and our partners to better understand where it is disappearing ... read more

Friends of the San Juans hosted nearly 40 artists and Lummi council member Karlie Kinley on Yellow Island this April for Friends’ first-ever Artist Expedition. The wildflowers were blooming and there was ample inspiration abound. Prominent floral displays included broadleafed shooting star, hairy paintbrush, chocolate lily, camas and stonecrop. Yellow Island has been stewarded by ... read more

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

Last month we sent out an action alert regarding the Washington State Department of Ecology’s rulemaking. This rulemaking will establish financial responsibility requirements for refineries, pipelines, and other large bulk oil handling facilities. Here’s an update on all the progress made! Thanks to everyone that made comments and amplified our action alert. The final rule ... read more

In May 2023, Friends of the San Juans received a concerning anonymous alert regarding changes at the Phillips 66 Refinery in Ferndale, apparently without a permit. These changes could allow the refinery to function as a transshipment facility, receiving diesel for resale in Canada via rail and truck.  Acting swiftly, Friends submitted a Code Enforcement ... read more

In the San Juan Islands, over 90% of waterfront tax parcels are in private, residential ownership. Protecting habitat is the most efficient and effective way to support the marine environment. Partnering with Blue Coast Engineering,  Northwest Straits Foundation, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program, Friends of the San Juans recently ... read more