latest news

Friends is excited to welcome Brent Lyles as incoming Executive Director. He officially starts with us on September 16. Brent comes to Friends with over 20 years of experience leading environmental protection and education efforts, most recently consulting with nonprofit organizations in Austin, Texas. Prior to consulting, he successfully led two Texas river conservation organizations, ... read more

Healthy Seas Program: Find out more about the Friends of the San Juans Healthy Seas program with our Marine Protection and Policy Director, Lovel Pratt. Virtual Reality Immersive Education: Learn more about Friends of the San Juans’ cutting edge virtual reality immersive education program during this Q & A with Jess Newley, our Marine Program ... read more

My name is Kaia, and I’m a high school sophomore currently interning at Friends of the San Juans. Some of you may know my grandpa, San Olson, current board member, past board president, and longtime resident of Lopez Island. It is largely because of my grandpa that I have the chance to write this letter ... read more

We were joined by Kevin Campion of Deep Green Wilderness on July 23 to hear about Kevin and his team’s expeditions to film the North Pacific right whale. The North Pacific Right Whale: Why You Should Care about the World’s Rarest Whale, Zoom Presentation with Kevin Campion Click here to watch the recording. You’ll learn about what ... read more

Are you experiencing travel withdrawal after months of lockdown and cancelled travel plans? Peter Cavanagh – photographer, filmmaker, former NASA researcher, bird expert, and Lopezian – is here to help! Peter will guide you on a virtual photographic journey to see some of the amazing birds he has encountered on his world travels. Click here ... read more

The Friends of the San Juans, a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization, is seeking a new Executive Director. About the Friends of the San Juans The mission of the Friends of the San Juans (“FSJ”) is to protect and restore the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea for people and nature. Accordingly, FSJ’s programs foster ... read more

During these uncertain times, the staff of Friends of the San Juans are looking for ways to lift your spirits. And we thought that sharing some good news might bring you a smile! Good News! New Forage Fish Spawning Beaches Found! This winter, Friends of the San Juans staff and our team of trained citizen ... read more

Over the past month, necessity has called us all to action and challenged us to create new norms. Here at Friends our mission remains unchanged. Taking care of our planet, our family, and our community remain our guiding principles and with that in mind here are a few Earth Day action items for you. EARTH MONTH PLEDGE April 22, ... read more

One of the three program areas driving the mission of Friends is Thriving Communities which exemplifies our values of giving back, supporting, and protecting our communities. For those of you who have met Michel, our Director of Philanthropy, you know that she has a personal and professional zeal for thriving communities and socializing. As Michel ... read more

These are changing times as directives unfold with caution and deliberation. What we can be certain of is that the sun will rise and set, the tides will rise and recede. Our staff is truly humbled by the opportunity we have to work from home and participate in new ways to communicate, monitor, and survey ... read more