about us

At low tide, San Juan County contains no less than 743 islands, reefs, and rocks. At high tide, the number of island masses is reduced to 428. The land area of the county occupies approximately 175 square miles with about 400 miles of shoreline abutting 600 square miles of the Sound and Straits. In recent decades, San Juan County’s population has grown by over 40% resulting in significant adverse impacts to sensitive nearshore ecosystems, rural landscapes, fresh water resources and wildlife in the area.

During this time of growth and change, Friends of the San Juans has been protecting and promoting the health and future of the San Juan Islands; focusing on increasing citizen participation and stewardship of environmentally significant areas. Friends' activities include marine research, endangered species protection, shoreline stewardship, low impact development, natural resource planning and marine refuse cleanups.

Protection and restoration of our local marine waters requires the participation of us all. To achieve our goals, Friends works with diverse stakeholders (citizens, business people, biologists and land managers) and collaboratively with public agencies, tribes and other non profit organizations, utilizing innovative tools to conserve our resources to achieve the greatest benefit for people and nature.

Friends of the San Juans is a 501(c)(3) membership-based non-profit organization.

Mission
To protect the land, water, sea and livability of the San Juan Islands through science, education, policy, law and citizen action.

PO Box 1344, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Phone: (360) 378-2319, Fax: (360) 378-2324