latest news

Check out the March issue of our e-newsletter – Highwater Marks! Learn about our latest victory against Phillips 66; the spring Great Islands Clean-Up; the herring spawn event happening now; a community conversation on housing, vacation rentals, and land use; our new staff; an update on the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project; and more!

Friends of the San Juans recently scored a decisive legal victory against fossil-fuel giant Phillips 66, representing an important win for critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales. On February 28th, the Washington State Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Friends in a lawsuit regarding Phillips 66’s expansion of its Ferndale, WA, refinery. In 2019 ... read more

From the first time we visited the islands, we were awestruck by the natural beauty of this majestic setting: towering conifers, green meadows, beautiful lakes, forested mountains, all surrounded by the sound! Like any beautiful location, this magical environment could be “loved to death”, which is why it is so important that Friends of the ... read more

Check out the February issue of our e-newsletter – Highwater Marks! Learn about San Juan County’s decision to Fast-Track the Comp Plan Update process, Meet our New Legal Director, Celebrate 20 Years of Tina’s Dedication to Friends, Volunteer Opportunity to Monitor for Invasive Green Crabs, and More!

I recently read an article from a Canadian news organization titled “The Future of Exploration.” In it, author Kate Harris examines how traditional exploration’s complicated past makes it difficult to reconcile with modern values of justice and sustainability. From Marco Polo to Lewis and Clark, most famous expeditions have been glorified in western culture while ... read more

Recurring membership matters because we began as a grassroots organization and 43 years later, the roots that bind us are our members who continue to support our work.  We invite you to join as a monthly recurring member so we can all focus on the future. When you become a member of Friends, you play a vital ... read more

Check out the January issue of our e-newsletter – Highwater Marks! You can read the results of our 10 year Armor Change Study, Catch up on Environmental Legislative Priorities, and much more!

Check out the December issue of our e-newsletter – Highwater Marks! We share our highlights from 2021, discuss Trust, Truth, and Gratitude, show photos from our Immersive Salish Sea Education with Lopez and Orcas students and our restoration planting at Salmon Point with the Island Conservation Corps, and much more! Read it here. Photo by ... read more

To those of you who joined us for our 2021 Annual Meeting – thank you! To those of you who missed last week’s event — if only you could have been there! But don’t worry, here’s a link to the recording! We witnessed compelling testimonials, gained insight during our engaging conversation with Lynda Mapes, and ... read more

Friends is looking for a Legal Director and Staff Attorney (Legal Director) to join our team. The Legal Director leads our legal advocacy and litigation practice and participates in many other organizational activities, including policy analysis and advocacy, public outreach and education, fundraising, and coalition building. The Legal Director has a key role in implementing our ... read more