The San Juans

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FRIENDS has successfully advocated for healthy, sustainable communities and has defended natural spaces and wildlife for over 30 years. Our scientists, educators and lawyers provide the expertise that citizens and groups need to protect and preserve the Islands.

Founded in 1979, FRIENDS now boasts a team of five staff and a vibrant Board of Directors. This growth has been fueled by a record of success in science, education, advocacy, and policy to create a sustainable San Juans.

Co-author of the Puget Sound Basin Biodiversity Assessment.

Completed first baseline assessment of all shoreline modifications in San Juan County.

Completed Mapping of San Juan County's Eelgrass and Kelp Habitat.

Completed the State's first citizen-based forage fish (herring, surf smelt, sand lance) assessment for San Juan County.

Developed and implemented model to identify shoreline restoration priorities.

Developed innovative public-private partnerships to fill key scientific research data gaps for San Juan County.

Developed the State's first voluntary Salmon Conservation Blueprint - a GIS model to identify parcel level priority acquisitions for critical habitats.

Ensure Best Available Science is used by decision-makers.

Launched citizen-based toxic pollution investigation of stormwater in San Juan County.

Participated in San Juan County Critical Areas Ordinance update.

Provided technical assistance to over 100 shoreline property owners.

Provided best available science to land managers and decision makers.

Recognized by numerous state and federal agencies as model for citizen based science.

Restored 5 acres of nearshore marine habitat for fish, wildlife and water quality.

Co-author "Cost of Community Services" study.

Co-authored 1990 Community Opinion Survey.

Co-sponsor of annual Orca Sing at Lime Kiln State Park .

Co-sponsor of San Juan County's Low-impact Development Workshop.

Created Shoreline Stewardship Volunteer Program, youths & adults.

Developed "Science to Stewardship" educational materials for property owners.

Developed and successfully implemented San Juan County's first marine debris removal program.

Developed first San Juan County "Nearshore Curriculum" for teachers.

Developed Living with the Shoreline: A Stewardship Guide for San Juan County Property Owners. (3rd re-print, circulated to all realtors and new property owners).

Dollars for Scholars Sponsor.

Hosted Canoe Society stopovers in the San Juan Islands.

Mentored 7 public interest law students through our Summer Conservation Law Internship.

Nearshore Educator Toolkit and Workshop materials.

Organizer of Low Impact Development Conference.

Presenter at the Friday Harbor Labs Environment and Society Seminar.

Presenter at numerous Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Research Conferences.

Presenter for Leadership San Juan Islands training program.

Presenter at the Salmon Recovery Funding Board Conference.

Presenter at Public Interest Environmental Law Conferences.

Presenter for WSU Beachwatcher Program.

Presentations on Shoreline Habitat Values, Threats and Opportunities to San Juan County Council, Public Works Annual Departmental Meeting, San Juan Initiative Policy Group, Leadership San Juans and the San Juan Preservation Trust.

Assisted neighborhood associations fighting the county's transient rental policy.

Completed numerous reviews of permits to protect wetlands, shorelines and fresh water.

Conducted first county-wide baseline analysis of shoreline exemptions.

Co-petitioners for Federal Endangered Species Act protection for Orca, Island Marble Butterfly, and Cherry Point Herring.

Co-sponsored San Juan County Land Bank initiative.

Co-sponsor of the Vision 2020-Sustainable Development Conference.

Led countywide citizen outreach effort for 2000 Comprehensive Land Use Plan update.

Mobilized citizen involvement in 1979 to adopt the County's first Comprehensive Plan.

Participant with regional workgroup to secure Cherry Point management plan to protect natural resources amidst oil terminals.

Preserved Madrona Point Lummi Ancestral site from a subdivision.

Preserved rural character of the islands through support of County's Comprehensive Plan.

Prevented a 100-condominium development at Lime Kiln Point (now a State Park).

Provided density analysis for acquisition of Turtleback Mountain.

Submitted comment letters to the Town of Friday Harbor to protect island marble butterfly habitat in planned 250 home development.

Submitted public comments and proposed code changes to the Planning Commission to improved Code Enforcement Ordinance.

Successfully defeated GSX natural gas pipeline substantial development permit.

Successfully defended guest house challenge to comply with GMA and prevent sprawl.

Successfully defended shorelines throughout the islands from unnecessary docks, bulkheads, and other environmentally and aesthetically harmful development.

Successfully defended water for agricultural use in Crow Valley.

Successfully settled a Clean Water Act suit against illegal excavation of wetlands.

Working with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to ensure protections for endangered Orca whale.

Wrote an amicus brief in support of San Juan County's open space ordinance.

Leadership San Juan Islands - steering committee member.

Puget Sound Partnership ECONET - local steering committee member.

Salmon Recovery Plan - steering committee member.

San Juan Anti-Litter Initiative - steering committee member.

San Juan County Marine Stewardship Plan - member of the Steering Committee and technical advisor.

San Juan Initiative, steering committee member - technical advisor.

San Juan Preservation Trust - technical advisor for land use and shoreline acquisition.

San Juans Scenic Byways - steering committee member.

San Juan County Critical Areas Ordinance Citizen Committee - members.

San Juan County Critical Needs Assessments - steering committee member.

San Juan County Economic Development Council - founding board member.

San Juan County Land Bank - technical advisor for critical shoreline acquisition.

San Juan County Marine Resource Committee - member.

San Juan County Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas Plan - technical advisor.

San Juan County Public Works Department - technical advisor for fish-friendly infrastructure planning.

San Juan County Septic Advisory Committee - member.

San Juan County Stewardship Network - steering committee member.

San Juan County Stormwater Advisory Committee - member.

San Juan County Water Resource Management Committee - member.