Category: Latest News
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Restoring Shorelines, Reviving Ecosystems: A Look Ahead
Friends of the San Juans is advancing shoreline restoration projects across the islands, from Shaw to Orcas, to revive natural coastal processes and strengthen ecosystem health. These science-driven efforts restore habitat for eelgrass, forage fish, salmon, and orcas while improving water quality, reducing hazards, and building climate resilience. Behind each project is years of planning,…
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Local Protector Poetry: Driftwood by W. A. Schmidt (Wasakalobo)
Shared after a community beach walk on Orcas Island, Driftwood by W. A. Schmidt (Wasakalobo) reflects on the beauty and fragility of coastal ecosystems. Through vivid imagery of tide-worn logs and shifting shorelines, the poem reveals the lasting impacts of human activity and invites readers to consider their role in protecting the Salish Sea and…
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Soli’s Senior Showcase Engages Community with the Salish Sea
The SOLIS Senior Showcase brought students and community members together through art, science, and storytelling inspired by the Salish Sea. Through creative expression and performance, students shared their learning about marine ecosystems, highlighting the connections between people, place, and environmental stewardship. The event reflects Friends of the San Juans’ commitment to community-centered education that inspires…
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The Hidden Forests of the San Juans—and the People Fighting to Save Them
Learn how Friends of the San Juans and community partners are safeguarding the San Juans’ hidden forests — rich habitats that support biodiversity, cultural heritage, and climate resilience across the islands.
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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.
