We have secured the funds, the experts are ready, all we need now are more waterfront property owners to take steps to support the marine ecosystem. While it may not be as thrilling as securing your appointment to get vaccinated against Covid-19, it is quite exciting news for forage fish, salmon, and Southern Resident orca!
Washington State’s 2020 State of Salmon report shows that while some salmon species are improving, the majority remain on the brink of extinction and that more action to protect and restore habitats is needed.
San Juan County is a major migratory pathway for juvenile Chinook salmon from rivers across Puget Sound and British Columbia and is integral to the recovery of salmon and orca. The time these young salmon spend feeding and growing in the shallow waters along our shorelines is critical for their long-term survival. With over 90% of shoreline tax parcels in San Juan County in private ownership, waterfront residents play an essential role in providing healthy habitat and forage fish for salmon.
Learn How Your Property Can Help Save Salmon and Orca
Please contact Tina Whitman if you or your neighborhood association are interested in a free site visit with coastal experts to explore habitat restoration and protection actions. If you do not own waterfront property but know someone who does, please tell them about this free technical support program.
New Restoration Project Website
For almost 20 years, Friends of the San Juans has been identifying, developing, and implementing shoreline projects to help restore habitats and marine food webs. We invite you to take a moment to explore our new shoreline restoration website. Here you will see photos, details, and videos about our successful partnerships with private, public and tribal landowners to reconnect wetlands, remove unnecessary armoring and bulkheads, and nourish beaches to improve habitat.
Support for expert site visits, project feasibility, and design work has been generously provided by the following funders:
- The Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board;
- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with support from Shell Oil Company, and the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
- The Northwest Straits Foundation with support from the Shore Friendly program funded by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Estuary Salmon Restoration Program and the EPA’s National Estuary Program.
