Pride Month Solidarity at Friends
June 7, 2022
What does Pride month have to do with environmental justice? Here at Friends, we are taking time during Pride month to examine our internal culture and how LGBTQ+ liberation intersects with environmentalism. If you would like to learn along with us, here are some resources: Recommended Readings: Pride Month, LGBTQ+ And The Environmental Movement Why ... read more
Cryptocurrency—A New Kind of Gift?
May 19, 2022
Contributed by Michel Vekved, Director of Philanthropy As a nonprofit, you know we rely upon the generosity of members like you who care and are engaged in our work to protect what you love. Since 1979, we’ve been working together tirelessly to protect and restore the San Juan Islands’ ecology and ecosystems. Our mission will ... read more
Kaia Olson, Passing the Torch of Environmental Activism
May 19, 2022
Contributed by Kaia Olson, grandaughter of Friends’ Board member, San Olson. As a young person, I can’t emphasize enough the significance of seeing older activists continue to advocate for environmental action. Your work truly embodies the proverb: “We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” Growing up with both ... read more
Local Climate Leader, Ron Zee, Joins Friends’ Board
May 19, 2022
Ron’s expertise is vast, including work on climate resiliency, advocacy, cross-cultural environmental projects, and agricultural issues. He’s incredibly thoughtful and smart, and I look forward to learning from him. — R. Brent Lyles, Executive Director, Friends of the San Juans Ron Zee, President & CEO of The Madrona Institute, has worked in the public and ... read more
Friends’ Science Director Wins Salish Sea Science Prize
May 19, 2022
On April 28th, Tina Whitman, Science Director at Friends of the San Juans, was awarded the prestigious Salish Sea Science Prize, given biennially by the SeaDoc Society to prominent scientists whose work significantly contributes to the conservation of marine wildlife and the health of Salish Sea ecosystems. “The Salish Sea Science Prize is designed to ... read more
Friends Partners With Youth at Sucia Island Restoration Site
April 21, 2022
We had productive and fun days at our Mud Bay restoration site on Sucia Island this month, learning with island youth and furthering ecological improvements to the site. Throughout 2020, restoration efforts at Mud Bay included the removal of nearly 300 feet of coastal road, the removal of rock armor and a culvert, as well ... read more
Housing and the Comp Plan
April 20, 2022
Since the San Juan County Council shifted into a full-throttle, get-this-thing-across-the-finish-line approach to the update process for San Juan County’s Comprehensive Plan (aka, Comp Plan), housing has been a hot topic and focus of discussion amongst Friends of the San Juans and across our community. The Comp Plan is one of the key ways that ... read more
Canoe Journey In Traditional Lands & Waters of Coast Salish Peoples
April 15, 2022
Friends is honored to sponsor a special inter-island tribal canoe journey, “Esqaplh etse Kwelengsen (Gathering of Eagles) Canoe Encampment.” All are welcome at this grassroots journey following the ancestral highways of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) people, beginning May 22 and running through May 27 in the Lhaq’temish homelands of Lopez, San Juan, Orcas and Waldron Islands. ... read more
Read our March Highwater Marks E-Newsletter
March 18, 2022
Check out the March issue of our e-newsletter – Highwater Marks! Learn about our latest victory against Phillips 66; the spring Great Islands Clean-Up; the herring spawn event happening now; a community conversation on housing, vacation rentals, and land use; our new staff; an update on the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project; and more!
Friends scores a win for orca protection
March 17, 2022
Friends of the San Juans recently scored a decisive legal victory against fossil-fuel giant Phillips 66, representing an important win for critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales. On February 28th, the Washington State Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Friends in a lawsuit regarding Phillips 66’s expansion of its Ferndale, WA, refinery. In 2019 ... read more