Science and Mapping

San Juan County’s picturesque shorelines provide more than just beautiful views. Underwater, eelgrass meadows and kelp beds serve as feeding, refuge, and migration corridors for crab, forage fish, salmon, and whales.

Check out our latest map!

Interactive Shoreline Ecosystem Habitat Map

herring bull kep

Our research informs policies and laws that advocate for stronger protections of San Juan County’s 400+ miles of shoreline. Additionally, Friends works with interested landowners and our local land trust and land bank to permanently protect habitat through conservation easements.

Increased shoreline development threatens the health of regional marine species, including forage fish, eelgrass, kelp, salmon, birds, and orcas. Human impacts such as shoreline armoring, docks, clearing and grading, and stormwater runoff systems can devastate San Juan County’s nearshore environment, disrupting natural processes and sensitive ecosystems.

Friends of the San Juans’ science and mapping help advocate for critical habitat protection and clean waters.

Eelgrass Health

Friends of the San Juans and partners completed the first eelgrass mapping throughout San Juan County. Current projects monitor eelgrass beds in priority bays to assess their location, condition, and impacts from other environmental factors.

Forage Fish Spawning Habitat

Friends leads efforts in San Juan County to map beach-spawning forage fish, including surf smelt and Pacific sand lance, and assists with exploratory surveys for pacific herring spawning areas.

Bull Kelp Distribution

Friends and partners completed the first countywide assessment and mapping of bull kelp distribution.

Feeder Bluff Mapping

Friends partnered with Coastal Geologic Services to complete a countywide feeder bluff mapping effort and works to protect our valuable feeder bluffs by making them a conservation and restoration priority.

Shoreline Modifications

After an extensive review of County and State permits, Friends’ research found that more than 90% of new shoreline armor installed in San Juan County between 2009 and 2019 lacked the required state and/or local permits before being constructed.

Sea Level Rise Vulnerability

Friends partnered with coastal scientists to develop a countywide evaluation and mapping of the infrastructure, developments, and habitats that are vulnerable to increased erosion and flooding from rising sea levels. Results are being used by public and private property owners and communities to increase resiliency.

San Juan County Sea Level Rise Inundation Maps 

Restoration and Protection Planning

Now more than ever Friends of the San Juans needs our support. Learn about the Friends, educate yourself, and you will inevitably want to be a Friend because that is who we turn to when we need support to protect this place.

Liza Michaelson

member, San Juan Island