species protection

We all did it together! All Orca Emergency Response Bills have passed out of the Washington State House and Senate! Thank you for your time and efforts to contact our representatives – they heard you ask for better protection of our Salish Sea. Here’s the scoreboard for these bills – all addressing the protection and recovery of ... read more

Over the past few weeks, in sweeping votes from both chambers, the Washington State Legislature took major steps to address the emergency facing Southern Resident orcas and the systemic problems of salmon and Puget Sound recovery. Four bills that will protect orcas passed out of the House or Senate, and most with bipartisan support! Each bill ... read more

On March 20 in Friday Harbor, Friends of the San Juans explored the plight of the Southern Resident orcas and engaged the community in actions that can help their recovery. Click here to watch the video of the full event. Find out what the Southern Resident orcas need to survive and thrive including how San ... read more

Have you ever been in such a noisy or crowded room that you find yourself yelling to be heard and sometimes giving up on getting food? Imagine what the Southern Resident orcas (SROs) face as they forage for scarce Chinook salmon while being accompanied by boats. Please join us in urging your state legislators to ... read more

This Thursday (2/7), the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee will vote to advance SB 5578, which will improve the safety of oil transportation in our state. Please contact all the members of the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee (or at least the Chair, Sen. Reuven Carlyle) and urge them to vote YES on ... read more

During Valentine’s week Friends of the San Juans will explore the plight of the Southern Resident orcas and engage the community in actions that can help their recovery. Lopez Island – Monday, February 11, 12 – 1:30 p.m., Woodman Hall, 4102 Fisherman Bay Rd. Orcas Island – Tuesday, February 12, 12 – 1:30 p.m., Orcas ... read more

Did you know that our local sand and gravel beaches nurture incubating fish eggs? These eggs are virtually undetectable to the naked eye and come from two species of marine fish – surf smelt and Pacific sand lance. These species are among those referred to as “forage fish” for the vital role they play in ... read more

Here are five important things you can do today to support our Salish Sea as we close out 2018… Make an Impact to Protect What You Love: 1. Give Southern Residents their fair share of salmon. Ask the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission to allocate 410,000 Chinook salmon for the Southern Residents annually. ... read more

Post by Jess Newley, Marine Program Assistant Last week I got to hang out with the forage fish guru himself, Dan Pentilla. Since starting with Friends as the marine program assistant a month ago, I have been busy out on the beaches around San Juan and Lopez islands, collecting sand samples to help us document ... read more

The heartbreaking struggle and loss of two Southern Resident orcas this summer opened people’s eyes. What can we do to help protect and recover the Southern Resident orcas? There are many actions to be taken to ensure these whales have healthy and quiet waters that are abundant with salmon. You can help implement some of ... read more