Category: Latest News
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Community Rallies to Protect San Juan Shorelines from Invasive Green Crab
Community members across the San Juan Islands are stepping up to protect local shorelines from invasive European green crabs. Through partnerships with state agencies and programs like Molt Search, volunteers are trained to identify and report crab molts, strengthening early detection and response efforts. Recent discoveries in False Bay have heightened urgency, as these aggressive…
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Summer Volunteer Opportunity in Communications & Outreach
Looking for a meaningful summer volunteer role? Friends of the San Juans is seeking a Communications & Outreach Volunteer to support environmental action with flexible, weekly 2‑hour shifts—either in Friday Harbor or remotely. Help organize outreach materials, distribute flyers, assist with digital engagement tools like Canva and Mailchimp, and connect with local leaders while gaining…
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Eelgrass Education Comes to Life in Clay and Virtual Reality
At Friends of the San Juans’ Spring Open House, community members explored eelgrass in new, creative ways—through virtual reality experiences, hands‑on art, and storytelling—bringing this vital underwater meadow to life. The event showcased an eelgrass mural created with the Alchemy Arts Center and immersive 360° videos that reveal eelgrass’s essential role in stabilizing shorelines, supporting…
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Student advocacy pays off: Recycling Reform Act signed into law!
Washington’s new Recycling Reform Act is now law, thanks in part to powerful student advocacy from San Juan County. … The bill, years in the making, will help reduce excessive packaging, support reliable curbside recycling programs, and ensure that materials placed in recycling bins are actually recycled. It comes at a critical time: nearly half…
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Introducing New Legal Director, Magali Cota
Friends of the San Juans introduces Magali Cota as its new Legal Director and Staff Attorney. With deep experience in environmental law and community advocacy, Magali will help guide legal strategy on key issues like the San Juan County Comprehensive Plan and protections for the islands’ natural resources.
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From Nurdles to the Capitol: How We’re Turning the Tide on Plastic
Friends of the San Juans is tackling plastic pollution through student-led nurdle cleanups, community action, and advocacy at the Capitol. Learn how local youth are turning the tide on plastic and inspiring change across the islands.
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Summer Volunteering with Friends
Friends of the San Juans invites you to join a vibrant volunteer community dedicated to protecting and restoring the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea. Whether you’re new to the cause or a longtime supporter, there are meaningful ways to get involved, from helping with events and data tasks to supporting outreach and shoreline…
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A Conversation on Leadership
In this heartfelt conversation, outgoing Board President Ken Carrasco and new President John Pierre van Dongen reflect on leadership at Friends of the San Juans—celebrating past achievements, shared values, and a bold vision for the future of protecting the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea through science, advocacy, and community collaboration.
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Honoring Tina Whitman: A Legacy of Science and Protection
For more than three decades, Tina Whitman has championed marine science and shoreline protection at Friends of the San Juans. From surveying hundreds of beaches for forage fish habitat to leading restoration projects and shaping regional conservation strategy, her work blends rigorous research with practical action. This tribute reflects on her lasting impact—protecting shorelines, advancing…
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Call or Email Your Legislators About Our Plastics Problem!
Friends of the San Juans urges constituents to contact their Washington legislators in support of the Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284/HB 1150), calling for an overhaul of the state’s recycling system to reduce plastic packaging waste, fund accessible recycling, and cut marine‑debris pollution. The post includes a sample message and tips for calling or emailing your representatives…
