volunteer opportunities
We welcome - and need - the volunteer help of our members.
For FRIENDS, being able to use the skills and abilities of our members allows us to expand the resources of our full time staff, as well as stretch the scarce dollars of our treasury. It's also a valuable opportunity for us to get to know our members better, while for the volunteers it's a chance to see FRIENDS in action.
Here are a few of the ways in which volunteers help FRIENDS:
Beach Cleanups: Adopt a beach near you for our Annual survey & cleanups.
 Marine Riparian and Eelgrass Restoration: Shoreline stewards are needed to help monitor and maintain marine riparian plantings designed to provide shade along the shoreline for summer spawning surf smelt. Volunteers will also be need to assist with eelgrass restoration efforts at Westcott Bay, San Juan Island. Occasional overnight dock space on Orcas and Lopez Islands is also needed (16ft skiff).
Invasive Species Monitoring:
FRIENDS' Green Crab Monitoring Project is designed to help fill the gap left by the loss of State funding of efforts to monitor the possible invasion of our beaches by this creature. The European green crab is a voracious predator that feeds on clams, oysters, and mussels, and could have catastrophic impacts on our State's shellfish stocks. Volunteers can help by setting and checking a crab trap once a month, May through October and help ensure this invasive species does not become established in Puget Sound.
 Spartina (Spartina anglica and other species), also known as cordgrass, is an aggressive weed that has caused serious environmental and economic damage across the Pacific Coast. Until recently, the plant was believed to be exterminated from San Juan County. But this year a state crew from the Department of Agriculture located patches at several locations in the county. In addition to the Weeks Wetland Preserve, infestations were found at Mud Bay and Spencer Spit Lagoon on Lopez, Buck Bay on Orcas, and Jakle's Lagoon on San Juan. Eradication of the plant is a top priority for the state and for the San Juan County Noxious Weed Control Board.
The San Juan County Noxious Weed Control Board is available to help landowners identify and combat spartina. "Saltmarshes, mudflats, and estuaries are the perfect habitat for the plant" said Rich Lee of the Weed Control Board. "We're asking landowners to be on the lookout. Please contact us at 376-3499 to learn more." There are also a number of informative Web sites.
Orca Sing: Volunteers will be needed before and during this hugely popular event to assist with coordination, publicity and public outreach.
Shared Waters Campaign:  When the Tribal Canoe Journey travels through the San Juan Islands, Friends of the San Juans hosts their time here. We need help to provide this support for welcoming paddlers.Volunteers can help us with dinner and breakfast service, chair set-up and take down, ushering and general information people will be required to host up to 200 visitors. The next Canoe Journey to travel through the Islands is still to be determined.
So, if you're interested in getting your feet wet with a dynamic organization focused on protecting the quality of life in our islands, give FRIENDS a call at (360) 378-2319.
We can find a use for your talents---and you'll enjoy the experience!
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