Director’s Update

As we dive into the new year, I see daily how important our members’ support is to achieve our mission. I wanted to take a moment to thank you and share what your year-end donations have already jumpstarted in this first month of 2024:   

  • Multiple beach restoration projects are moving forward, with a new large-scale project this fall. 
  • High schoolers are advocating directly with our Washington legislators to reduce the impacts of climate change by reducing single-use plastic use and waste. 
  • Eelgrass meadows and their resilience are being researched by our community scientists. 
  • Advocacy and engagement in state rulemaking to ensure that commercial marine vessels and facility owners/operators are accountable for paying cleanup and damage costs arising from an oil spill. 
  • Integrated solutions for our island community’s most pressing land use and Salish Sea challenges.   

Also, I am happy to report that we met our year-end challenge match this December! Thank you to all who doubled their donation with this opportunity. As always, we work hard to leverage your generous support to achieve impressive results.   

If you missed it, find out how your contributions enable our accomplishments through our beautiful Impact Report. I hope you will take a moment to journey with us and marvel at the protections, restorations, and innovations that you help make possible.  

Together, as Friends, we are protecting and restoring our island communities and the Salish Sea. Thank you!  

Sincerely,

Eva Schulte
Executive Director

PS — We’re recruiting board committee members and I would love to work with you! Email [email protected] to learn more, and watch for an update in next month’s Highwater Marks e-news.

Here I am with Jess Newley, Friends’ Community Science and Education Director, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Olympia, advocating for legislation to reform recycling and reduce packaging waste in WA State. Youth from Friday Harbor Eco Club joined us as we met with representatives from the 40th District, including Representative Alex Ramel, Representative Debra Lekanoff, and Senator Liz Lovelett. Learn more about our trip!

We live in such a pivotal time. Future generations are depending on us to protect and restore what will be their environment. We support the Friends because they tackle the issues that really make a big difference in our local environment, while also squeezing maximum value out of every dollar in their budget.

Ken and Mariann Carrasco

members, Orcas Island