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Recent News

San Juan County Comprehensive Plan Update – the Final Push

October 30, 2025

San Juan County is close to finalizing their latest update to the Comprehensive Plan or Comp Plan. The Comp Plan provides a high-level framework for issues like housing, transportation, water, climate, and land use. Once approved, the updated Comp Plan will guide new policies and shape how the County prepares and plans for growth over…
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Restoring Eelgrass to Protect Herring and Salmon

October 30, 2025

Follow along as Friends of the San Juans improves conditions for eelgrass! Eelgrass meadows are a cornerstone of the San Juan Islands’ marine ecosystem. But in many local herring spawning areas, eelgrass meadows have declined along with the herring populations that depend on it. Since Chinook salmon rely on herring as a critical food source,…
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Environmental Coalition Appeals Whatcom County Decision for Expansions at Ferndale Terminal

September 29, 2025

For Immediate Release, September 29, 2025 County promised a full review of the company’s illegal expansion, but then backtracked WHATCOM COUNTY, WA — Less than two weeks after rallying more than 662 public comments in opposition to the expansion of a major fossil fuel terminal in Ferndale (Cherry Point), a coalition of six environmental organizations…
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Volunteer Spotlight: Elyse Woodruff

September 24, 2025

Friends is honored to have Elyse Woodruff join the Friends team as a new member of our Legal Review Committee! Elyse was first introduced to Friends through one of our European Green Crab community science trainings on Orcas Island this summer. Inspired by the presentation, she invited Friends to bring the program to her neighbors…
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Friends of the San Juans Restores Critical Shoreline Habitat at Neck Point, Shaw Island

August 29, 2025

Friends of the San Juans (Friends) has successfully restored another ecologically important beach in San Juan County. Neck Point, the westernmost point of Shaw Island, is treasured by islanders and marine life alike, and it has now been designated as a vital spawning habitat for forage fish, a cornerstone species in the Salish Sea food…
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A Super Volunteer Story: Meet Tony Imkamp

August 29, 2025

Every summer, the San Juan County Fair brings people together to celebrate the community, farms and agriculture, and island spirit that make this place so unique. For Friends of the San Juans, it’s also an opportunity to connect with supporters and share how each of us can contribute to protecting the San Juan Islands and…
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Local Leaders Convene for Shoreline Resiliency

August 29, 2025

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…
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Uncovering Nearly 50 Years of Advocacy

August 29, 2025

Lori Momchilovich Reflects on Archiving Friends’ Legal and Environmental Advocacy Last spring, Friends welcomed Lori Momchilovich as our Document Archivist, a role focused on organizing and digitizing decades of paper records. With 15 years of experience in public and private libraries, and a background in education, Lori brought both skill and passion to the monumental…
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The Latest on Comp Plan Commenting

August 29, 2025

Your input matters! The Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) may sound technical, but it’s really about daily life in the islands. When you comment, you’re helping shape how our community grows while protecting your priorities and the places we all love and depend on. Did you know? Friends of the San Juans helped launch San Juan County’s…
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Honoring Veterans Who Protect the Salish Sea

August 29, 2025

This month, Friends is honored to highlight four inspiring veterans whose time on the water, both in the military and since, has deeply shaped their commitment to protecting the Salish Sea. These leaders each play a vital role in advancing Friends’ work to Protect this Place. Ken Putney, Friends’ Data & Gifts Administrator, Joe…
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