Voices of the Next Generation: Community Climate Resilience by Kaia Olson
December 15, 2021
Voices of the next generation – Community Climate Resilience By Kaia Olson In less than thirty years, my grandparents’ property on Lopez will be an island, the house only accessible by boat. And with some of the local roads already facing erosion and washout during the winter storms and extreme rain events, the routes are ... read more
Let’s Celebrate our Accomplishments! Highlights from 2021
December 15, 2021
As we reach the end of 2021, there is a lot to celebrate, and we could not have achieved so much without you. Please enjoy this look back at the highlights of what your support has helped us accomplish in 2021. Salish Sea Vessel Traffic Projections We recently released an update to our Salish Sea ... read more
Islands Conservation Corps planting at Salmon Point, Lopez
December 15, 2021
In early November, Friends staff and members of the Islands Conservation Corps planted native dune grass and conducted beach surveys at the Salmon Point Community Beach on Lopez. This was the last phase in a shoreline habitat restoration project that also included planting native trees and shrubs and removing unnecessary rock armoring and creosote wood ... read more
Trust, Truth, and Gratitude
December 15, 2021
At this time of year, we reflect on our community’s trust in Friends of the San Juans, a trust that has continued to grow and evolve over our 42 years of service. While we connect the dots between Friends’ decades of work and the still-awe-inspiring beauty of our islands, we acknowledge the truth that there ... read more
Immersive Education with Lopez and Orcas High School
December 15, 2021
Science classes from Lopez and Orcas High Schools just completed Friends’ Immersive Salish Sea Science Education program. Students experienced the marine food web through virtual reality technology, and they learned about science careers and how they can act to protect and restore the Salish Sea. Each class also took a trip to the beach to ... read more
Read our November Highwater Marks E-Newsletter
November 12, 2021
Check out the November issue of our e-newsletter – Highwater Marks! You’ll see the latest update to the Salish Sea Vessel Traffic Projections, learn how to register for the new Youth for Change environmental leadership club, hear from Katie as she transitions out of her role at Friends to a new position in our community ... read more
Words from the Next Generation: Hy’Shqa—Blessing
November 11, 2021
Twenty years ago the Samish Nation gave J37, a newborn Southern Resident Orca calf, the name Hy’Shqa. From the Coast Salish language, the name translates to “blessing” or “thank-you” in English. Hy’Shqa was born in January 2001 to Samish (J14), and in 2012, she gave birth to a calf of her own, T’ilem I’nges (J49). ... read more
FSJ and QCD: These Acronyms are Synonymous with Big Impacts
November 11, 2021
At Friends of the San Juans (FSJ) we advocate for orca, healthy seas, and natural beaches. Our policy and education efforts rest on a foundation of science, research, and community engagement. The problems our community faces are wickedly complex and your support is fundamental to building organizational capacity to implement solutions. You have the capacity ... read more
A Fond Farewell to Katie
November 11, 2021
Dear members and supporters, I have accepted the Solid Waste Coordinator position in San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship. I love Friends of the San Juans and have greatly enjoyed interacting with all of you in my role as Community Engagement Director over the past 9.5 years – you have inspired me in so ... read more
Increased Challenges Demand Solutions – You Can Help!
November 11, 2021
2021 has been a tremendous year for Friends of the San Juans. As you’ve read in our newsletters and as you heard at our Annual Meeting last month, we’ve matured as an organization this year, and we’ve had terrific programmatic successes. In every case, the financial support of our members and donors made those accomplishments ... read more