Regional Land Managers Join Friends of the San Juans for Shoreline Restoration Tour
On July 31, Friends hosted 20 land managers for a shoreline restoration boat tour around San Juan County. The tour highlighted successful restoration projects that reconnect wetlands, enhance beach spawning habitats for forage fish, and safeguard shorelines against the impacts of sea level rise.
Participants included representatives from the Tulalip Tribes Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Ecology, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, alongside local land managers from OPALCO, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Orcas, and San Juan County’s Public Works, Environmental Stewardship, Conservation Land Bank, and Community Development Departments. Friends staff, engineering geologist Jim Johannessen of Natural Systems Design, and restoration landowners Tom Reynolds and John Vechey hosted the tour and shared information about completed habitat projects as well as new resources available through Friends’ shoreline technical assistance program.
The tour provided public land managers an opportunity to network and explore strategies for protecting and restoring shoreline ecosystems while enhancing community resiliency. With more miles of marine shoreline than any other county in the lower 48, San Juan County’s land managers are positioned as leaders in demonstrating effective shoreline management that benefits both people and nature.
Chip Long, Port of Orcas Manager, expressed his appreciation: “Thanks for all you and the team did to put such an interesting and educational morning together. I’ve already had a couple of opportunities to share what I learned!”
Friends offers complimentary site visits to all shoreline property owners to support them as protectors of shoreline and marine ecosystems. Each visit includes a free consultation with a habitat expert and coastal geologist, plus potential early design and feasibility assessments for sites with restoration opportunities. For more information, visit sanjuans.org/shore-friendly.
Special thanks to Friends’ members, Canoe Island French Camp for providing their boat, Natural Systems Design / Coastal Geologic Systems for their expertise, and restoration site property owners. This project was supported by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency or the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
Take Action with Friends!
In our community of islands, everyone plays a role in marine ecosystem recovery! Here’s how you can protect your island’s community and resources, including shoreline ecosystems:
- Become a Member: Donate any amount or volunteer for four or more hours! Become a Member › Volunteer Opportunities ›
- Take Action: Be the first to hear about shoreline policy updates, restoration opportunities, and ways to get involved in protecting the San Juan Islands. Sign up for Action Alerts ›
- Support Restoration Efforts: Get inspired by the shoreline restoration projects we’ve completed—and see what’s next. From reconnecting coastal wetlands to replanting native vegetation, Friends’ science-driven restoration work helps bring marine ecosystems back to life. Explore our restoration work ›
- Practice Green Boating: Your actions on the water matter. Learn how small changes—like reducing speed near shorelines, managing waste responsibly, anchoring out of eelgrass, and avoiding fuel spills—can help protect eelgrass beds and reduce underwater noise pollution. Be a green boater ›
- Please join us for another event! View upcoming events ›
