Programs & Events

Shoreline Stewardship Program Eelgrass Protection Program Workshops & Events Tribal Partnerships Anti-Litter Program

Shoreline Species & Habitats

Forage Fish Eelgrass Kelp Salmon Coastal Forests

Human Impacts

Shoreline Armoring Docks Clearing & Grading Stormwater Toxins in Our Water Voluntary Conservation Programs

Pollution of our oceans by marine debris is one of the fastest growing environmental problems.  Fishing nets and six-pack holders trap fish and other marine creatures; animals and birds mistake trash for food and choke on the plastic and paper; and floating garbage fouls our beaches. To help clean up local beaches and waters, FRIENDS of the San Juans initiated a Marine Clean-Up Program in 2002.  FRIENDS debris removal projects include beach cleanups, boat-based marine refuse removal and participation in the San Juan Anti-Litter Initiative.

Through the dedicated efforts of volunteers, tons of garbage has been removed from our island beaches and we have collected substantial data on the kinds and amounts of marine refuse found along our shores.  FRIENDS would not be able to conduct simultaneous county-wide

monitoring and cleanup efforts without participation from our dedicated community members! Call FRIENDS to adopt a beach site, arrange a group beach clean up or find out how to join a group clean up effort for the Spring Beach Cleanups and surveys. 

FRIENDS can mail you Cleanup Data Cards or you can download the Beach Cleanup Data Forms by clicking here.

FRIENDS' Marine Refuse Project is the inspiration of long-time island resident Nick Nash, whose family has lived in the San Juans since the 1800s.  Horrified by the amount of drifting debris in our once pristine waters, Nick conceived the Marine Refuse Project.  FRIENDS eagerly joined with Nick to help fund the effort, and thousands of pounds of garbage have already been removed from the San Juan Islands' beaches and waters.

Within the first days of the project's starting in June 2002, 450 pounds of debris had been collected from the waters and along the shoreline at the south end of San Juan Island. 

The trash included derelict dock floats, a floating freezer, electrical wiring, fishing nets and line, PVC pipe, bottles, food containers, and plastic toys. 

The San Juan County Marine Refuse Project uses our annual beach cleanups to help identify large or potentially hazardous items for pickup by the Marine Refuse Project.  Also please contact FRIENDS if you know of a large floating or beached object that needs to be removed from our shorelines.  Implementation of this program is dependent upon funding.

The San Juan Island Anti-Litter Initiative invites friends and neighbors to help keep our roadside and beaches litter-free.  As founding members of the San Juan Island Anti-Litter Initiative, FRIENDS has been instrumental in achieving three remarkable campaigns, 

Secure Your Load, Imagine No Litter A roadside and beach adoption campaign, and the Polystyrene Take-Out Ban A campaign to get the Town of Friday Harbor and San Juan County to ban polystyrene take-out containers.