All of us at Friends of the San Juans are very appreciative of our members and partners as we reflect on 2017 – thank you for being part of our community who cares deeply for orca, salmon, clean water free of Atlantic salmon netpens and oilspill free oceans.
We wanted to give you an update on some of the work we’ve accomplished together this year!
- Six landowners partnered with Friends to restore 1,000 feet of shoreline habitat to support our forage fish, salmon, and orca. Click here to learn more about the Lopez project and here to learn more about the Shaw project.
- The County-wide plastic bag ban we helped advocate for went into effect on May 1!
- Our shoreline guide was mailed to all shoreline property owners in San Juan County. As a result, 60 waterfront landowners signed up for site visits that will help them better understand how to steward their property to support our important food webs.
- We co-hosted the Inter-tribal Canoe Journey at English Camp and Lopez Island in July. This was the largest gathering of northwest tribes on San Juan Island in 150 years! Click here to see a video.
- Island youth built 2 cedar strip canoes with a Lummi master carver, participated in climate education programs, and explored the islands with us this year. We’re so inspired by the next generation.
- Islanders expressed broad support for safer options for cycling and walking in our community. Look for possible legislation in 2019 that could make San Juan County eligible for funding for multi-use paths and shoulders.
- 1,000 citizens took a stand against fossil fuel exports and supported climate change action at island events and the State Capitol in Olympia.
- Communities across Washington halted the massive coal export facility in Longview, Washington. That’s seven out of seven coal export proposals defeated or headed towards defeat! Also headed towards defeat is the proposal to build the largest oil terminal in North America in Vancouver, Washington.
Together let’s take bold and effective actions to continue to protect what we love in 2018! We will keep you posted on all the ways you can engage with this important work in the new year. In the meantime, have great holidays!
Thank you for your support!
Katie, Kyle, Tina, Patricia, Shannon, Jana, and Stephanie
P.S. If you have already given to Friends this holiday season – thank you so much! If you haven’t, please help us meet our $50,000 matching gift for all donations received before December 31, 2017. Double your impact with a gift today!
