events & workshops
FRIENDS of the San Juans hosts a variety of events and workshops for members and non-members throughout the year, including:
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FRIENDS' lecture series - Recent lectures have included presentations on the Endangered Marine Species and Habitats.
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Living with the Shoreline Landowner education and field trips; including a Realtor Education Program.
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OrcaSing - One of the highlights of summer is the annual OrcaSing, co-sponsored with People for Puget Sound, featuring the Cantabile Choir singing to the orca whales on the west side of San Juan Island.
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Earth Day Clean-up - Each year, we pick one or more parks or beaches for a volunteer clean-up effort.
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Plum Tree Farm Mid-Summer Dinner on Orcas Island
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Annual Meeting at the Ellis Biological Preserve on Shaw Island - Scheduled for September 16, 2006.
Check for upcoming events along the left side of our home page.
Lectures and Workshops
During the past two years Friends hosted workshops on San Juan, Lopez, Shaw and Orcas Islands on the topic of Living with the Shoreline. Over 150 participants learned about how to protect shoreline property while maintaining healthy nearshore marine habitat for forage fish, salmon and whales. FRIENDS also hosted a Forage Fishes and the Beach workshop where 20 educators expanded their environmental curriculum to include locally based studies and science projects. FRIENDS is also educating realtors while providing them with education credits. FRIENDS also host presentations on topics such as Endangered Species and Habitats, Toxins and Orca whales and Farmed Salmon.
Endangered Species and Habitats Lectures
The goal of FRIENDS lectures is to conserve San Juan County’s biological diversity by fostering a stewardship ethic and creating understanding of endangered species recovery and protection efforts.
FRIENDS hosted expert speakers to explain the biology of locally important endangered marine species during the Fall of 2005. FRIENDS helped islanders on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez understand more about Cherry Point Herring, Pinto Abalone, Marbled Murrelets and Eelgrass. For more information about these information shared at these talks please contact Shannon Davis at 378-2319 or shannon@sanjuans.org.
FRIENDS is planning another Endangered Species and Habitats Lecture Series for the Fall 2006. The focus of this series will potentially be Coastal Prairies, Garry Oak Woodlands, the Sharp Tailed Snake and the Island Marble Butterfly. San Juan County is home to coastal prairies and oak woodlands that are becoming increasingly endangered in the region. In Western Washington, coastal prairies have been identified as one of the most crucial habitats for conservation because of the incredible diversity of plant, animal and insect species that they support. Local and regional experts will explain the biology of these endangered habitats/species, current research activities and the status of protection efforts.
Realtor Education Program
The primary objective of the Realtor Education Program is to provide agents with information that can be shared with prospective property owners. Through this knowledge exchange more property owners will understand how their individual actions impact the fresh and marine waters of the Puget Sound.
During the past 10 years, San Juan County has grown over 40%. This unprecedented growth has resulted in significant adverse impacts to the area’s rural landscape, fresh water resources, and wildlife. Population growth has made real estate San Juan County’s leading industry and having realtors who understand the region’s ecological sensitivities is a priority for outreach to San Juan County’s community. New property owners first connections to the San Juans are frequently through their real estate agent; giving the agent the many opportunities to pass on environmental best practices.
 The Realtor Education Program is designed to assist realtors and other interested parties gain this information and also earn required continuing education credits.
FRIENDS hosted its first Realtor Education Program during the Spring on 2005. Workshop attendees learned stewardship practices that protect groundwater and the marine environment. Participants also learned about coastal processes, the role of the nearshore, site assessments, relational and economic consequences of poor site design, placement of house septic systems, and ways to minimize alteration of the coastline. Funding for our first Realtor Workshop was provided by the Puget Sound Action Team - PIE SEED funds.
FRIENDS is currently developing its second Realtor Education Program to be held on Orcas Island in the Fall of 2006. The focus of the training will be water.
OrcaSing
Each summer the City Cantábile Choir, directed by Fred West, conducts a "musical celebration of the environment" at Limekiln State Park on San Juan Island. This annual summer solstice event is dedicated to the recovery of the resident orca population. Each year the whales have participated at some point during the event. Come enjoy the natural beauty of the islands and celebrate the solstice and nature at this free event! There is no need to sign up and parking for the event is free. However, please carpool, as parking is very limited!
Event is co-sponsored by: City Cantábile Choir, FRIENDS of the San Juans, The Whale Museum, People for Puget Sound, the American Cetacean Society (Puget Sound Chapter).
Questions? Call FRIENDS of the San Juans at 378-2319 www.sanjuans.org
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