Protecting
The Future Through Education
The Salish Sea is like nowhere else on Earth
Friends connects students, lifelong learners, and educators to the Salish Sea through immersive, hands-on experiences that inspire care for the living world around us. From classrooms to shorelines, our programs foster curiosity, connection, and a deeper sense of responsibility for this extraordinary place.
Friends’ Approach
We engage people in ways that are meaningful and accessible, inspiring real-world action to protect the land and sea of this bioregion.
SALISH SEA EXPERIENCE
Friends brings the Salish Sea protection to life through immersive technology. Using a mobile learning dome and virtual reality headsets, participants are surrounded by underwater video, soundscapes, and imagery that reveal the hidden world of eelgrass meadows, bull kelp forests, and forage fish. These interactive experiences travel to classrooms, community events, and fairs, helping people of all ages connect with the Salish Sea ecosystem.
IMMERSIVE SALISH SEA EDUCATION
This available, open educational resource (OER) online curriculum engages educators and students through place-based lessons and underwater imagery, exploring the habitats and species that sustain the Salish Sea. Optional hands-on learning opportunities and field trips with Friends staff invite youth and educators to deepen their understanding and care for the ecosystem of which they are a part. EXPLORE.
GREEN BOATING
Friends’ Green Boating Education helps boaters take the helm in protecting the Salish Sea with maps, tools, and best practices to reduce impacts on sensitive marine habitats. Boaters take the Green Boater Pledge [link] or become a trained Green Boating Ambassador, helping to grow a regional movement of responsible mariners who care for the waters we all love. LEARN MORE.
BEYOND PLASTICS
Plastic pollution reaches every corner of the Salish Sea—from microplastics in the water to nurdles on our shores. Friends helps youth and adults understand these impacts and take action through hands-on learning, policy advocacy, and regional collaboration. Learn more through the Plastic-Free Salish Sea coalition, a group that Friends helped launch in collaboration with San Juan County and its partners.
What’s new in protecting the future?
Building Blocks for Community-Centered Education
Community Science
Science can be anyone’s practice! Where observation, curiosity, and collaboration connect people to place. Through volunteer research and data collection, Friends’ builds understanding and collective care for the Salish Sea.
C.A.S.E.
Communication, Applied Arts, Sciences, and Entrepreneurship: Friends utilizes the C.A.S.E. (Communication, Arts, Sciences, and Entrepreneurship) to create learning experiences rooted in creativity, collaboration, and community stewardship of the Salish Sea.
Inclusive Learning
We make science accessible with an open source approach that invites collaboration and shared stewardship. Our programs and materials are designed to be accessible and adaptable, empowering communities to collaboratively learn from, contribute to, and build care and consensus for this place.
Education impact & action
Highlights from Friends‘ community-centered education from 2021 and 2025.
400
youth and community tackled plastic pollution—turning education into real-world action. This advocacy played a key role in advancing Washington’s Recycling Reform Act.
1,600+
youth reached through Immersive Salish Sea Education, underwater virtual reality, and hands-on experiences to inspire care and connection with nature.
100
2,500
Join Friends for Community-Centered Action
Whether you live in the San Juan Islands, visit often, or help care for the Salish Sea from afar, your actions make a difference. Together, we can protect what makes this place extraordinary—shorelines, wildlife, and community.
