Friends of the San Juans strengthens the resilience of San Juan shorelines through science-based restoration that protects habitat for forage fish, eelgrass, and herring. From upgrading mooring buoys to removing derelict structures, our projects restore natural shoreline processes and safeguard the health of nearshore ecosystems for future generations.
Natural beaches support forage fish, salmon, and Southern Resident killer whales
Waterfront landowners play a crucial role in protecting and restoring habitats for birds, fish, and marine mammals. Free site visits with experts are available. Please email friends@sanjuans.org or call 360-378-2319 to explore potential restoration actions for shorelines.
Restoration Videos
Restoring Mud Bay on Sucia Island:
A Place at the Table: benefits of Beach restoration
Planning for the future: benefits of beach restoration
The Upright Head Beach project on Lopez Island is restoring intertidal habitat by removing concrete debris and shoreline armor. Scheduled for completion in Fall 2026, it aims to improve forage…
Friends of the San Juans is supporting ongoing beach restoration at Eastsound Waterfront Park on Orcas Island, improving natural shoreline processes, enhancing habitat for marine species, and increasing long-term coastal…
The West Sound Beach project restored 150 feet of pocket beach on Orcas Island by removing a creosote bulkhead, over 530 tons of rock and fill, and replanting 1,600 native…
Friends of the San Juans is working to restore Turn Point Marsh and adjacent beach habitat on San Juan Island, improving shoreline resilience, enhancing habitat for fish and wildlife, and…
The Thatcher Bay project on Blakely Island removed a historic log handling facility and associated debris to restore 200 feet of intertidal and subtidal habitat. The restoration enhanced forage fish…
On Shaw Island’s Blind Bay, the Smuggler’s Cove Road project enhanced a known forage fish spawning beach by removing unnatural rocks, reducing road impacts, and adding sand and gravel. The…
The Shoal Bay restoration removed a derelict tide gate and excess fill to restore a five-acre lagoon on Lopez Island. The project improved water quality, fish passage, and habitat for…
The Salmon Point restoration on Lopez Island removed shoreline barriers and restored beach habitat, improving spawning areas for forage fish and supporting salmon and local wildlife.
The Mud Bay Wetland and Beach Restoration on Sucia Island removed nearly 300 feet of old road and armoring to reconnect a salt marsh and restore a forage fish spawning…
Friends of the San Juans is restoring marsh and beach habitat at Fisherman Bay on Lopez Island, improving shoreline function, enhancing wildlife habitat, and supporting long-term coastal ecosystem resilience.
Friends of the San Juans worked to restore degraded beach habitat at Broken Point on Shaw Island, enhancing natural shoreline processes and improving conditions for forage fish and other marine…
Friends of the San Juans is restoring forage fish spawning habitat at Blind Bay on Shaw Island, improving beach conditions that support herring and other key species vital to the…
Friends of the San Juans worked to restore degraded beach and bluff habitat on Brown Island, stabilizing eroding shorelines, improving ecological function, and supporting long-term resilience for coastal ecosystems.
Friends of the San Juans is restoring forage fish spawning habitat on Lopez Island, improving beach conditions that support herring and other key species essential to the Salish Sea ecosystem.
Eelgrass and forage fish habitat restored by removing a derelict dock, including 1,200 square feet of overwater structure, 26 creosote pilings, pier decking, and 26 cubic yards of rock and…
